New York Giants coaching search: Louis Riddick suggests Antwaan Randle El, J.T. Barrett as potential candidates

It has been yet another disastrous season for the New York Giants’ franchise, which has made the postseason just twice since winning Super Bowl XLVI in 2011. New York currently sits at 2-13 overall, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the worst record in football.

The franchise parted ways with head coach Brian Daboll 10 games into the season (2-8), midway through his fourth season at the helm. Daboll immediately led the Giants to the postseason during his first season in charge in 2022, but soon nosedived to a 20-40-1 record across 61 games.

Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season following Daboll’s firing. Under Kafka, the Giants are 0-5 with two games remaining. A breath of fresh air is desperately needed within the franchise, and ESPN’s Louis Riddick listed two names for fans to keep an eye on in the near future.

“You know what, here’s a name to keep an eye on… who’s the assistant head coach of Chicago right now that Ben Johnson brought with him from Detroit?” Riddick asked on Wednesday morning’s edition of ‘Get Up.’ “Antwaan Randle El. And remember the name J.T. Barrett, another guy who’s the quarterback coach in Chicago.”

Louis Riddick floats Antwaan Randle El and J.T. Barrett for Giants opening

“We said he would be one of the most critical people on the entire staff, because he’s the bridge between Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams,” Riddick continued. “Those are names you’ve got to start thinking about, because you’re going to be picking from that tree. Ben Johnson, everything he touches is going to turn to gold right now.”

Randle El, who was an All-Pro wide receiver over the course of his 10-year NFL career, is currently the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears. Barrett, who is more known for his success at Ohio State (2013-2017), is currently Chicago’s quarterbacks coach. With Randle El and Barrett on first-year head coach Ben Johnson‘s inaugural staff, the Bears sit at 11-4 and the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs with just two regular season games remaining.

Chicago has clinched a playoff berth for just the third time in the past 15 seasons and looks to be one of the favorites in the NFC, thanks to strong play from second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and the vaunting Bears defense. Randle El would certainly bring some structure and vast experience to the franchise, while Barrett could be valuable in developing rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.