The New York Giants are building a coaching staff with long-term upside under John Harbaugh, and outside linebackers coach and run game coordinator Charlie Bullen is one reason why. The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue recently identified Bullen as one of the NFL assistant coaches to watch in 2026, projecting him as someone who could rise through the coaching ranks over the next few years. For a Giants’ defense loaded with pass-rushing talent, Bullen’s development as a coach adds another layer to what Harbaugh is constructing in New York.

A strong endorsement

Rodrigue’s assessment of Bullen centered on the talent surrounding him and the trust Harbaugh has placed in him. Per The Athletic, Harbaugh retained Bullen from the previous coaching regime and expanded his role to include run game coordinator duties.

“John Harbaugh has always had an eye for coaching talent, and it speaks well of Bullen’s potential that he was retained from the previous coaching regime and even got an expanded role as run game coordinator. His position group already featured Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux; the team also drafted versatile defender Arvell Reese in the spring. Bullen will have every opportunity to show his impact on the defense.” — Jourdan Rodrigue

The path to this point

Bullen is a 41-year-old coach who has been working in the NFL since 2012. He started with the Miami Dolphins before moving to the Arizona Cardinals, then spent one season coaching at Illinois before returning to the NFL in 2024.

The Giants initially hired him as their outside linebackers coach that year. His profile grew significantly when New York fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during the season and elevated Bullen to an interim defensive coordinator role. The results he produced in that stretch, relative to the expectations at the time, were strong enough to keep him on Harbaugh’s radar.

That performance motivated Harbaugh to retain Bullen this offseason with the dual title of outside linebackers coach and run game coordinator. It wasn’t a promotion to full-time defensive coordinator, but the expanded responsibilities signaled real trust.

What it means for the Giants

The full-time defensive coordinator role in New York belongs to Dennard Wilson, who spent the past two seasons as the DC with the Tennessee Titans. Wilson brings significant experience to the position, and the combination of Wilson and Bullen gives the Giants a defensive coaching staff with depth.

For Bullen, the path forward is straightforward. If the Giants improve defensively in 2026, his stock will rise. A strong season from his outside linebacker group, combined with the credibility he built during his interim DC stint, could make him a legitimate defensive coordinator candidate elsewhere within the next few years.

The ability to develop coaching talent on the lower levels of a staff is part of what makes Harbaugh’s presence valuable to the Giants beyond wins and losses. Bullen represents that kind of organizational asset, as a coach gaining experience and visibility while contributing to a defense with legitimate upside.