The New York Giants have dismissed defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson, as well as safeties coach Mike Treier, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo.
Henderson, who had been with the team since 2020 after being hired by Joe Judge, is a former NFL player and has been coaching defensive backs in the league since 2007. At 55, Henderson was well-regarded in the coaching community. Former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who used a vastly different system from current coordinator Shane Bowen, often praised Henderson as the best defensive backs coach in the NFL. When Brian Daboll took over as head coach, Henderson was the first coach he retained from Judge’s staff.
Henderson interviewed for the Giants’ defensive coordinator position following Martindale’s departure, but the role ultimately went to Bowen.
The secondary faced challenges during this past season, particularly concerning the development and effort of cornerback Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2023. Henderson publicly criticized Banks for his lack of effort in a game against the Dallas Cowboys and acknowledged that he had advocated for Banks during the draft process. The defensive backs also struggled with a significant interception drought, going 11 consecutive games without one. Second-round pick Tyler Nubin, a safety, failed to record an interception after an impressive college career at Minnesota where he had 13 interceptions in five games.
Treier, who had been with the team since 2020, started as a defensive quality control coach, moved to assistant defensive backs coach, and became safeties coach in 2023.
These coaching changes likely suggest that Bowen will continue as defensive coordinator, and the Giants may prioritize bringing in players and coaches who better align with Bowen’s defensive scheme.
