New York Giants Look to Replace Adoree’ Jackson with Super Bowl Winner
The New York Giants are in need of a replacement for starting cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who is set to become a free agent. Fortunately, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has a potential solution in mind. Bowen previously coached Sean Murphy-Bunting with the Tennessee Titans and believes he would be a good fit for the Giants.
According to Giants Wire, the team is unlikely to bring back Jackson, which means they need to find proven reinforcements in the 2024 NFL free agency. Murphy-Bunting, who recently won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, started 14 games last season and performed well under Bowen’s coaching.
One interesting aspect of Murphy-Bunting’s game is his ability as a blitzer. While he may have been better suited for Wink Martindale’s defense, he still found success under Bowen. The Giants’ defensive scheme may be less blitz-heavy, but Murphy-Bunting’s experience and aggressive mindset would still be valuable.
Jackson himself seems to be indicating that his time with the Giants is coming to an end. In order to maintain their defensive strength, the Giants will need to quickly adjust to Bowen’s coaching style. Having someone like Murphy-Bunting, who is already familiar with the playbook, would be a major asset.
Murphy-Bunting’s performance last season showcased his skills as a playmaker. He recorded a pair of interceptions, including one against the Baltimore Ravens, and broke up eight passes. He also displayed his ability to contribute on the ground, forcing two fumbles, recovering one, and making three tackles for loss.
With a completion percentage of 63.8, Murphy-Bunting still possesses strong cover skills. This was evident when he intercepted a pass from Daniel Jones during a game against the Giants in 2020.
Overall, Murphy-Bunting’s experience, versatility, and familiarity with Bowen make him an ideal candidate to replace Jackson in the Giants’ defense.
That was also the year Murphy-Bunting blitzed 27 times in 2020, per Pro Football Reference. Bowen didn’t mind including Murphy-Bunting in pressure packages last season.
The Giants’ new play-caller knows he can mix zone and man coverage with a battle-tested pro like Muphy-Bunting partnering standout rookie Deonte Banks. That partnership would make it easier to part company with Jackson.
Jackson recently sounded prepared to move on during free agency, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The 28-year-old cover man admitted, “the Giants are going to look for another corner and another team is going to look for a corner, which is me. I want to be there, but this is our break period.”
Speaking at the 2024 Super Bowl, Jackson said “I’m hopeful [to be back], but you can never put anything past anybody.”
Jackson’s time with the Titans overlapped with Bowen, but that doesn’t mean a reunion is on the cards at MetLife Stadium. Bringing Jackson back will be a tough call for the Giants.
He hasn’t played up to his billing as a shutdown cornerback who signed a $39 million contract in 2021. Despite his struggles, though, Jackson has been a competent, established presence who played on the outside and in the slot for Martindale’s defenses.
This year’s free-agency class isn’t brimming with elite players at Jackson’s position. Not unless the Giants make a run at Kansas City Chiefs’ standout L’Jarius Sneed.
The two-time Super Bowl winner is projected by Spotrac.com to earn a four-year deal worth $16.3 million annually. It’s a steep price tag for a Giants franchise with $26,016,449 worth of space under the salary cap.
A bargain veteran like Murphy-Bunting, who already knows how Bowen calls defense, would be a more cost-effective signing.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Baltimore Ravens for
According to the Source heavy.com