PITTSBURGH – The New York Giants benched last year’s first-round pick Deonte Banks during Monday night’s 26-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers because of repeated lack of performance.

Banks was relieved in the second quarter for cornerback Greg Stroman Jr., who was called up from the practice squad earlier in the day. The move came after Banks threw wide receiver George Pickens out of the end zone but didn’t make a play for the ball.

Coach Brian Daboll approached Banks on the sideline after the drive and told him of the decision.

“I think he said I missed tackles, I guess,” Banks said.

Banks said one of the plays in question was when he lunged deep at running back Najee Harris and was hit by a hurdle near the sideline. He also dropped several catches on the drive.

But that attempted low tackle on Harris obviously wasn’t the only play that caught the Giants coach’s attention early in the contest.

“I just thought this show needed a little more,” Daboll said. “Had a conversation with (Banks) and left with the other guy.”

The problem for Banks is that this isn’t nearly the only time his approach and effort has been questioned. In fact, he’s a repeat offender this season.

There have been at least two other occasions where Banks’ performance has been questioned, including last week when he admitted that he had shown a lack of performance in pursuit of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Banks also gave up chasing Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb on a touchdown reception earlier this season. Both plays earned the ire of his position coach Jerome Henderson.

The Giants thought they had solved the problem with Banks during the week. Defensive player Dexter Lawrence said it wouldn’t happen again. It couldn’t happen again.

Banks’ on-field reaction Monday night still wasn’t enough for his teammates and Daboll, who decided last week to address the situation internally but kept Banks as the starter.

Daboll would not sign Banks as a starter next week.

“I’m not going to make any statements at the moment,” he said.

Overall, this is a bad picture of Banks and the Giants. New York selected him with the 24th pick out of the University of Maryland last year and he was projected to be the No. 1 cornerback this season. But he struggled mightily, giving up several plays early in the loss to the Steelers.

Lawrence, the team’s defensive captain, didn’t think being overwhelmed by Harris was a problem. That’s what happens when a smaller player tries to hit a larger ball carrier, Lawrence said. It becomes a highlight piece. Neither more nor less. Lawrence actually believed that Banks “could have done better” on the pass to Pickens, which was overthrown and ruled incomplete. He was still surprised to see him on the bench.

“I didn’t think it would happen,” Lawrence said.

The 23-year-old Banks is going through a difficult phase. Lawrence and outside linebacker Brian Burns were both determined to be there for him during this time.

They believe it is their job as veterans and defensive leaders to support the young cornerback.

“He is a young player. Young players make mistakes,” Burns said.

The Giants won’t give up on Banks.

“He’ll bounce back,” Daboll said.

Banks didn’t seem broken by the situation.

“I’m actually fine,” he said. “I’ll be cool.”