The search for a new defensive coordinator is heating up across the NFL, and Charlie Bullen's name continues to gain traction. The Cleveland Browns have now entered the mix, joining the Arizona Cardinals in requesting to interview the New York Giants’ outside linebackers coach for their vacant DC role.
Bullen’s stock has been rising, and for good reason. After spending the past two seasons coaching the Giants’ outside linebackers, he was thrust into a bigger spotlight late last season.
With Mike Kafka serving as interim head coach and deciding to part ways with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Bullen was promoted to interim DC for the final five games. And the results?
Noticeably improved.
Let’s break it down.
The Giants’ defense under Bowen had its struggles - giving up 25.8 points per game over the full season. But once Bullen took the reins, the unit tightened up.
Over the final four games with him calling the shots, the Giants allowed just 18.0 points per game. That’s not just a marginal improvement - that’s the kind of shift that turns heads around the league.
And it wasn’t just about points. The defense became more disciplined, more aggressive, and far more efficient.
On the year, the Giants allowed 359.5 total yards per game. But in the final three games - two of which were wins - that number dropped to 252.3 yards per game.
That’s over 100 yards shaved off per contest, a significant leap in performance.
The run defense, in particular, saw a dramatic turnaround. Over the course of the season, New York gave up 145.3 rushing yards per game, with opponents gouging them for 5.3 yards per carry - the worst mark in the league.
Under Bullen, those numbers improved to 116.8 yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry in the final three matchups, good enough to tie for 10th in the NFL over that span. That’s a massive course correction in a short amount of time.
Bullen’s ability to stabilize and elevate a struggling unit hasn’t gone unnoticed. Earlier this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys also expressed interest in him for their defensive coordinator opening before ultimately hiring Christian Parker, formerly of the Eagles. Now, with the Browns looking to replace Jim Schwartz - who stepped down after Cleveland hired Todd Monken as head coach - Bullen is once again on the radar.
Monken has been evaluating several candidates, and Bullen brings something unique to the table: recent, tangible results under pressure. He didn’t just manage a defense - he improved it, fast, and with limited time to implement his system.
It’s also worth noting that Bullen is one of just a few members of Brian Daboll’s staff to be retained by new Giants head coach John Harbaugh. Alongside tight ends coach Tim Kelly and wide receivers coach Chad Hall, Bullen’s presence on the new staff speaks volumes about how he’s viewed internally.
As the Browns continue to shape their new coaching identity under Monken, Bullen represents a candidate with momentum, adaptability, and a proven ability to get more out of less. For a team with playoff aspirations and a defense already loaded with talent, that kind of leadership could be exactly what they need.