Giants’ Offseason Changes and GM Stability
As the offseason kicks off, the Giants are gearing up for substantial changes following a disappointing season. However, general manager Joe Schoen’s position remains secure.
Shane, despite overseeing two consecutive underwhelming seasons, will continue for a fifth year to manage all football operations. This was confirmed after a meeting with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, right after the Giants wrapped up their season with a 4-13 record, which was particularly painful given they had to win their last two games just to reach that low point.
This year’s situation is different, as the team has quarterback Jackson Dart, viewed as a potential franchise player. Schoen executed a notable draft trade to secure Dart with the 25th pick overall, even though his performance last season wasn’t stellar. I mean, there was a lot of skepticism from the public, but keeping Dart seems to earn Schoen some respect among the higher-ups.
Right now, Schoen is on the lookout for a new head coach. The previous coach, Brian Daboll, was let go after just ten games this season, with the Giants finishing 2-8 under him. Notably, Daboll was celebrated as the NFL Coach of the Year in 2022 and was a personal choice for Schoen, stemming from their shared time in Buffalo. Unfortunately, he couldn’t finish his fourth year.
Despite rough outcomes in recent years, Schoen’s position remains intact. Over five seasons, the Giants have a record of 22-45-1, which includes just one winning season and one playoff victory. It’s worth noting they have only managed a 7-27 record over the last two years.
So, how did he manage to survive all this? When Daboll was dismissed in November, Mara expressed faith in Schoen’s efforts, stating, “We feel Joe has assembled a core of excellent young talent and we look forward to their development.”
Interestingly, ownership appears to have gone against the fan base, many of whom wanted Schoen out.
Clearly, the owners believe the disappointing outcomes do not fully reflect the talent they’ve gathered. Schoen has brought in impressive players, like Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabors, running backs Tyron Tracy and Cam Skatebo, and edge rusher Abdul Carter. He also made a strategic trade for linebacker Brian Barnes, who stood out in the league with 16.5 sacks last season. Additionally, Schoen extended contracts for left tackle Andrew Thomas and nose tackle Dexter Lawrence while tidying up the messy salary cap situation he inherited.
Reflecting on the role of an NFL GM, former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi said that a major task is leading the team with a franchise quarterback. Accorsi made impactful moves to sign Kerry Collins and to trade for Eli Manning back in 2004. Schoen, after a surprisingly good 2022 season with Daniel Jones, took a big step by offering Jones a two-year, $80 million contract. Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out, leading to Schoen signing Dart, who showed promise in his rookie year. The Giants head into the 2026 NFL Draft feeling they have a quarterback to build on while addressing other needs.
Dart’s statistics from his tenure show he’s had 12 starts with a 4-8 record. He completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,272 yards, along with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, earning a passer rating of 91.7. He also rushed for nine touchdowns, which is impressive.
Schoen’s track record in the draft, however, has had its ups and downs. While he secured talented outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeau and offensive tackle Evan Neal in the 2022 first round, their impact hasn’t been quite what was hoped. Thibodeau is decent, but Neal has struggled, and cornerback Deonte Banks, his 2023 first-round pick, seems to be heading down a rough path. It’s a mixed bag when considering other rounds, with disappointing performances from players like offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu and wide receiver Jarrin Hiatt.
Mara’s ongoing cancer treatment complicates matters, as cutting ties with Schoen right now could hinder their search for a new head coach. That would likely delay the process even more. Schoen has already been identifying potential candidates since early November and aims to cast a wide net in his search.
In his quest for a new coach, Schoen isn’t limiting himself to former head coaches or specific coordinators. His aim is to find a leader who can assemble a quality staff. A major priority in this search is someone who can nurture Dart’s development. When interviewing potential coaches with defensive backgrounds, an important consideration will be the offensive coordinator they would bring along.
