New York Giants co-owner John Mara has some franchise-altering decisions to make this offseason, beginning with the fate of his leadership tandem in general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
The former Buffalo Bills tandem has been unable to right the Giants’ 12-year-sinking ship, making the organization’s centenary season one of their worst ever. Big Blue is 2-12 in 2024, tied for the worst record in the league that has them in contention for the No. 1 pick at the 2025 NFL Draft.
If it were up to Giants fans, Schoen and Daboll would not have the opportunity to select the franchise’s next quarterback with that top pick, especially after making what will be one of the largest blunders in team history by signing Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal while letting star running back Saquon Barkley walk to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, where he is putting up an MVP-caliber season.
Giants fans have been vocal in recent weeks, flying a pair of planes in as many weeks to call for wholesale changes.
The way the team appears to be angling, though, only one of Schoen and Daboll could be shown the door this offseason — and it might not be Schoen.
According to a popular podcast, Talkin’ Giants, the team contacted the show to tell them that a recent episode in which they discussed why Schoen and Daboll should be fired “bothered people in the organization.”
Co-host Bobby Skinner speculated that their being bothered meant that they were looking to keep Schoen on as GM.
A report from Paul Schwartz of the New York Post threw those rumors into overdrive on Monday when he said that Schoen and Daboll are “not a package deal,” meaning one could be fired.
Neither has inspired much confidence to stick around the organization past this season.
Schoen has built a team with a small foundation—rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, edge rusher Brian Burns, and offensive lineman Andrew Thomas—and its strength remains to be seen.
The list of players he has cut ties with is staggering, almost willingly trying to sap any sort of firepower out of the Giants’ ranks. Since he took over, Leonard Williams, Julian Love, and Xavier McKinney left — departures somewhat overshadowed by the void left by Barkley.
While he did draft a star in the making in Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick of last year’s raft, there is a tinge of a whiff connected to it considering Bo Nix is likely going to receive Rookie of the Year consideration as the next franchise quarterback of the Denver Broncos.
What sort of difference could he have made?
All things considered, probably not much because on most Sundays, the Giatns are non-competitive. Schoen’s offensive-line signings have been spotty an Devin Singletary, who like it or not was supposed to be Barkley’s replacement, is a non-factor. Daboll was supposed to be an offensive guru, yet the New York attack has averaged 10 points per home game this season and have the lowest scoring offense in the NFL.
It is all rotten. So much so that a complete tear down would not surprise anyone.
But the ball is firmly in Mara’s court, and the way the Giants seem to be playing their cards, there might be another chance on deck (at least for Schoen).
