Giants' Dennard Wilson confronts poor effort, calls some players traitors

New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson delivered a direct message on the defense's effort after last week's game, calling players who do not run to the ball "traitors" to the unit.

Wilson said stopping the run requires all 11 players. He highlighted the need for improved communication on pre-snap and post-snap movements, getting lined up and set properly, and then coming downhill to tackle. Last week was one of the team's worst tackling performances, with missed tackles allowing plays to get out, especially in the pass game.

Had to be uncomfortable re-watching the Kamara touchdown in the film room... pic.twitter.com/FORqfv4rMa

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 22, 2026

"I look at guys that don't run to the ball, and I call them traitors because they're traitors to the defense," Wilson told reporters on Thursday. "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."

Wilson said the effort on tape was not characteristic of a New York Giants defense and was unacceptable. The staff confronts such issues by showing the plays in meetings. Poor effort or lack of toughness is pointed out in both defensive and full team settings. If behaviors do not change, the players will be replaced.

He expects a different approach this week.

"The guys know it, and this week when you see them out there, they will be flying around 100 miles per hour with their hair on fire," Wilson said.

Wilson stressed that defense is 11 on one, and energy plus effort eliminate explosive plays by getting ball carriers on the ground. He noted that poor tackling stems from a lack of population to the ball and technique issues, such as stuttering feet instead of attacking near the hip and near half while running through carriers.

The defense also faced challenges in plus territory after turnovers. Wilson described it as a learning process, saying the unit must embrace those moments, slow heartbeats, and focus on fundamentals to put out fires regardless of field position or situation.

With Tremaine Edmunds sidelined in practice, options for the green dot include Micah McFadden, Arvell Reese, Jack Kelly, and Zaire Barnes, all of whom have called defenses in practice. Wilson expressed full confidence in Reese if needed, noting he knows the defense inside and out and has already set fronts effectively.