Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will both have another opportunity to improve the New York Giants after a disappointing season. Team president and co-owner, John Mara, indicated in a recent statement that while he wouldn’t impose a specific deadline on their performance, he expects to see significant changes soon, expressing his dwindling patience. “It better not take too long,” he remarked about the current situation of the team.
On Monday, Mara confirmed that he and co-owner Steve Tisch have decided to retain the Giants’ management team, despite the previous season’s dismal 3-14 record, one of the worst in the franchise’s history. Mara stated, “We came to the decision that staying with both of them is the best course of action for us right now.” He believes in Daboll’s capabilities, citing his recognition as Coach of the Year just two seasons ago, and praised Schoen’s strong draft class and effective free agency moves this past year.
Mara had lengthy discussions with Schoen and Daboll before making the decision to keep them on board. He acknowledged that this might not be a popular choice among fans, especially after a challenging season that featured a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. Fans voiced their frustrations by flying banners over MetLife Stadium during the past two home games, calling for major changes within the organization. Mara expressed he was fully aware of the fan discontent, stating, “I didn’t need planes flying over me to tell me how upset the fans are. I hear from them every day.”
Despite the outcry, Schoen and Daboll will lead the team into the next season, which saw them struggling significantly in their division and at home. Schoen accepted responsibility for the team’s poor performance, emphasizing the need for a more talented roster to enhance competitiveness. “We’re not good enough,” he stated, and acknowledged the clear goal of finding a suitable quarterback, noting that the Giants hold the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Mara underscored that the top priority for the offseason will be identifying the team’s future quarterback, whether through the draft or by trading for an experienced player. While he didn’t indicate an explicit need for immediate playoff success, he noted that urgent improvements are essential. However, Schoen is resolute about maintaining a careful and strategic approach moving forward, rejecting the idea of sacrificing long-term success for short-term gain.
Schoen and Daboll were both appointed in 2022, with their initial season yielding positive results that included a playoff appearance. However, the last season was riddled with issues, including injuries and inconsistent performance from quarterback Daniel Jones, who ultimately requested a release. In the ensuing chaos, the Giants relied on Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock, leading to an unsatisfactory finish that ultimately placed both Schoen and Daboll’s futures in doubt.
Mara reflected candidly on the season, stating, “We stunk this year,” and recognizing the need for improvement. He pointed to various factors contributing to the team’s challenges, including the failure to re-sign star running back Saquon Barkley. Looking ahead, Mara expressed a sense of urgency: “If I’m sitting here a year from now and you’re asking me these questions, I’ll take the heat. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to make a decision and we’ve made one.”
