The New York Giants have decided to retain general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll despite a disappointing 3-14 season, as announced by team president John Mara. This decision follows a franchise-record 10-game losing streak and a season-ending defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In a statement, Mara and team chairman Steve Tisch expressed confidence in the process and vision Schoen and Daboll have implemented, emphasizing a focus on future improvements while acknowledging the team’s lackluster results. Daboll confirmed he was informed of his return, admitted the team’s performance was “terrible,” and committed to addressing the team’s shortcomings.
A key challenge for the Giants is resolving their quarterback situation. The team moved on from Daniel Jones midseason after his four-year, $160 million contract failed to yield results. Backup Drew Lock, now an unrestricted free agent, and Tommy DeVito, an exclusive rights free agent, leave the position in flux.
With the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Giants plan to prioritize securing a franchise quarterback, either through the draft or by acquiring a veteran. Mara emphasized that Schoen and Daboll would be responsible for shaping the team’s future and making critical decisions.
The decision to retain Schoen and Daboll comes after a detailed review of their performance and plans during a meeting with ownership. Mara noted that while their tenure has included personnel missteps, there were positive elements, such as Daboll’s Coach of the Year award in 2022, an “outstanding” draft by Schoen, and a strong free-agent class.
Despite these accomplishments, the team has struggled, going 12-31-1 since starting 7-2 in Daboll’s first season. Mara expressed a desire to avoid repeating past cycles of impatience that led to frequent coaching changes.
The Giants’ recent history of instability in leadership likely influenced the decision to retain Schoen and Daboll. Each of the team’s previous three head coaches was fired before completing their third season, and Mara wants to give the current leadership an opportunity to build the organization the right way.
However, he acknowledged that this decision might not sit well with fans, given the team’s struggles. Despite public dissatisfaction, Mara reaffirmed his belief that Schoen and Daboll are the right leaders for the franchise moving forward.
As the Giants prepare for the 2025 season, the pressure is on Schoen and Daboll to deliver immediate improvement. Ownership’s patience is limited, with Mara stating he expects a significant turnaround soon.
The offseason priorities include finding a long-term quarterback and addressing other roster weaknesses that contributed to the team’s poor performance. While the Giants’ leadership has bought themselves some time, the coming year will be critical in determining whether they can fulfill their vision and restore the team to competitiveness.