Following the New York Giants' Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson publicly criticized his players' effort after his unit allowed 175 yards on the ground.
"I wasn't happy with our effort running to the ball," Wilson told reporters Thursday, according to SNY. "We put some stuff on tape that was not characteristic of a New York Giant defense, and it's unacceptable, and it will be changed."
He added, "I look at guys that don't run to the ball, and I call them 'traitors' because they're traitors to the defense. At the end of the day, when you have a traitor to the defense, you either have to make adjustments to get them off the field, you have to get somebody else on the field, or they have to correct their behaviors."
The Giants surrendered a season-high 34 points Sunday. New Orleans led by 24 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter before New York clawed back to make it a one-score game.
New York's run defense was atrocious in 2025, ranking last in EPA/designed rush and 31st in success rate, according to TruMedia. Now, in Wilson's first year as defensive coordinator, the unit has only improved marginally, as it sits 31st in yards per carry allowed.
"Last week was one of those things where we did not, on every play, run to the ball, and it was unacceptable," Wilson added. "And the guys know it. This week, when you see them out there, they will be flying around 100 miles per hour with their hair on fire."
The Giants (3-2-1) lead the NFC East through six games. They face the Houston Texans (2-4) on Sunday before their bye week. J.J. McCarthy, who replaced Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter of last week's loss, will make his first start with New York.
