From all indications, New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks had a solid rookie season in 2023. Banks, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft, started 13 games as a rookie, finishing with 55 tackles, 11 passes defended and two interceptions.
During his rookie season, Banks helped New York sweep NFC East division rival Washington. That mattered to Banks, who was born and raised in the DMV and played collegiately at the University of Maryland, only a few minutes from the Commanders’ home stadium.
When the Giants swept a terrible Washington team, Banks took to social media to issue an NSFW rant against the Commanders. We aren’t going to repeat it here, but here’s the video in case you forgot.
“They could have came and got me at 16 and they didn’t. Now I’m 2-0 against you bum ass boys.”
Giants rookie cornerback Deonte Banks cooked the Commanders for passing on him in the draft on his Instagram live
pic.twitter.com/Id5ESBpAts
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 19, 2023
Well, Deonte, that’s 2-1 now. The Commanders defeated the Giants in Week 2, and the two old rivals have a rematch this weekend at MetLife Stadium. And, despite his recent struggles, Banks will be on the field vs. Washington.
The Giants benched Banks in Monday’s loss at Pittsburgh, one week after his effort was questioned in Week 7. New York head coach Brian Daboll explained why he’s sticking with Banks in Week 9.
“I have full confidence in Tae that he’ll be ready to go this week and we’ll do everything we can to help him be ready to go,” Daboll added about Banks, per Dan Benton of Giants Wire. “He will start.”
Do you think Terry McLaurin has forgotten some of those things Banks said? Probably not. Never forget, during Banks’ rant, he said the following on McLaurin:
“Did 17 play today? That’s all I wanna know. Did he play today?”
Head coach Dan Quinn always looks for an edge, while offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury looks for a weakness. Could Kingsbury and quarterback Jayden Daniels view Banks as a weakness that should be exploited?
We shall see. These aren’t the same ol’ Commanders from 2023.