The season is barely in the rearview mirror and the Giants have already made a major signing to push them into the new year.
Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach who has received rave reviews from his players and denied points for opponent fouls, is not going anywhere. He signed a contract extension and the team announced on Tuesday evening that Graham has decided not to consider any head-coaching opportunities for 2021.
The Jets just a day after firing, Adam Gase reached out to the Giants and asked for permission to interview Graham for their position as head coach. There are five other openings, and Graham may have sparked other interest. Graham closed all investigations and will return for a second season to further strengthen what was by far the most powerful unit in the team.
Graham, who was a coordinator for only two years – he led the Miami show for the Dolphins in 2019 – was considered a long-shot candidate for a head-coaching performance, but so was Joe Judge when he seemed to be from nowhere to get the Giants. job a year ago. All it takes is one team to fall in love.
One team has already fallen in love with Graham and that team gets to keep the relationship going.
“Yes, it worked! Now it will be much easier to find Pat, ” tweeted linebacker Blake Martinez after seeing the news that Graham was staying put.
Earlier in the day, Martinez wasn’t feeling nearly as playful, and Graham considered possibly losing to another team.
“It’s one of those bittersweet things,” said Martinez. ‘I’m like,’ Okay, Pat. ‘I’m kind of like that girlfriend from Stage 5. I’m like,’ You can’t leave me. I’m going to find you. ‘ But no, I’m excited for him. He is an extremely smart coach, an extremely wonderful coach, and I am happy for him. ”
If Graham had an official fan club, Martinez would be the president, treasurer, and chief recruiter. Working together in Green Bay in 2018, Graham was a big believer that Martinez could be the center of a defense and lobbied for his signing of a free agency. Martinez finished third in the NFL with 151 tackles and is a fixture in the midst of the Giants defense.
Logan Ryan, the veteran who’s versatility allowed Graham to use in a variety of roles, calls Graham “Black Picasso.”
The Giants went 6-10 and were carried by a defense that finished 12th overall in the NFL and improved from 30th in 2019 to ninth in scoring defense, allowing for 22.3 points per game. The Giants were the second best in the league in defense of the red zone. Despite not having a dreaded edge rusher, Graham was able to plan the Giants to 40 sacks, tied for 12th place in the league.
Graham was the Giants defense line coach in 2016 and 2017, hired by Ben McAdoo. Graham’s personality has emerged this season as perhaps the most trusted sounding board for Joe Judge, the freshman head coach.
Graham said he explains who are the closest allies coaching this: “If we go to the combine, who am I having dinner with?” Invariably it was with Judge, who worked with Graham in New England on Bill Belichick’s staff.
“I’m attracted to people who are better than me,” said Graham.
Last week, as he prepared for the season finale against the Cowboys, Graham was asked about “your defense.” He didn’t let that slip away. “Our defense,” he said. There’s no ego problem with Graham, an Ivy League product that tends to correct anyone who says he played at Yale. “I was on the Yale team,” he says.
The Giants wanted to keep him on their team, although of course Judge wouldn’t get in the way of anyone.
“I’m probably expecting some requests for several of our coaches during this off season,” said Judge. “We will handle that internally when they show up.”
The Giants took it internally by sweetening and expanding Graham’s deal. The Chargers asked for permission to speak with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett about their opening as head coach.
For now, all head coaching aspirations for Graham will be carried forward into the future.
“I think he would do well,” said corner-back James Bradberry. “Coach Graham is a very, very smart guy. I know he went to an Ivy League school too. His football knowledge, his football IQ, surpasses most guys I’ve seen. I wish him the best when that happens. I think he would be a good candidate. ”
He is no longer a candidate. The Giants made sure of that.