Bullen served as the interim defensive coordinator last season after stepping in for Shane Bowen and earned widespread acclaim for his work, helping to accelerate the defense’s development with a more creative and aggressive approach.
Despite Harbaugh’s addition of Dennard Wilson as the new defensive coordinator, multiple teams were interested in Bullen for play-calling duties in other cities. To keep him in Giants blue, Harbaugh and the team pulled him out of remaining DC searches and granted him the run-game coordinator title, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
The run-game coordinator designation may be a tad flashy, but it signals the Giants’ desire to preserve Bullen’s influence and ensure continuity for players who thrived in the late-season scheme changes under his watch.
The move also secures a contract extension for Bullen, and he remains a hot DC candidate for next year, underscoring his rising status in NFL coaching circles even as he remains in Giants’ plans for the near term.
