Giants hire Carmen Bricillo to coach O-line

The Giants filled their first vacancy on Thursday by hiring Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo for the same role in New York.

Bricillo, who is entering his sixth NFL coaching season, replaces the recently fired Bobby Johnson on Brian Daboll's offensive staff.

His new group has nowhere to go but up. The 2023 Giants' offense allowed the second-most sacks ever (85) in a single season due to a combination of injuries, personnel, play-calling, execution and quarterback play.

Bricillo coached the New England Patriots' line in 2020 and 2021 under Bill Belichick. And he did a good job with a Raiders line that wasn't filled with blue-chippers and endured lots of injuries and changes this past season, his second with the team.

This will be his 21st coaching season, including a long stint in college prior to his jump to the pros.

The Giants tried to interview Falcons O-line coach Dwayne Ledford during the process, as well, but Atlanta denied their request. Bricillo, who was working for Josh McDaniels in Vegas, is familiar with the protection schemes that Daboll likes to run. He will look to help the Giants coach and execute better on offense in 2024.

• Controversial New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned to “The Pat McAfee Show” just one day after the show's host said he wouldn't have Rodgers back as a guest this season.

The reunion was prompted by the retirement of six-time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick, who announced he was leaving the New England Patriots after 24 years. McAfee introduced Rodgers as “the last human that Bill Belichick” spoke to on a field before hanging up his whistle.

McAfee said Wednesday he was “happy” to be taking time away from Rodgers, who recently got both men in trouble for joking on the show that comedian Jimmy Kimmel's name might turn up on a court-released list of people associated with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.