Shocking news came out Monday morning when Owner and President John Mara announced that both General Manager Joe Schoen and Coach Brian Daboll would be returning to their duties in 2025. The news comes as a surprise to most as the Giants had yet another disappointing season as they finished the year with a loss to the Eagles on Sunday (20-13) to drop to 3-14 overall. The 14th loss marks the most losses in a season in Giants history, further supporting fans disappointment in the retainment of Schoen and Daboll.
Statement from Giants President John Mara pic.twitter.com/NwetfGG2In
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 6, 2025
During media time Monday morning Mara spoke to the press to address the many questions about his decision. Mara went on to say that:
“Nobody is more frustrated and upset than I am. I appreciate the fact that [the fans] have hung in there with us. I get your frustration, I feel your pain, but I still believe this is the right decision for us going forward.”
Mara also mentioned that he spoke with Schoen and Daboll for several hours on Friday afternoon and after hearing what they had to say in addition to Owner Steve Tisch’s agreement they made the decision to retain the two.
When asked if he views his commitment to Schoen and Daboll as a two-year commitment Mara said he didn’t want to put any time limit on it. However, later on in interview questions Mara didn’t seem so set on a no limit timetable.
John Mara is asked if Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will enter next year on the "hot seat":
"We're gonna have to see. I'm gonna have to be in a better mood this time next year than I am right now." pic.twitter.com/V7AXnvpFyK
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2025
Perhaps one of the most interesting questions and responses of the day came from a question regarding tanking and why the Giants beat the Colts which sabotaged their chances of getting the number one overall pick. In response Mara said,
“If I had thought that we were tanking either one of those games, I would’ve fired everybody. We are never going to do that in this organization as long as I’m standing on this side of the grass.”
Mara’s response is an interesting one as the Giants didn’t seem to have much pep in their step in Sunday’s matchup, and after losing all hope of getting the first overall pick against the Colts you would think the Giants would have at least put on a show against Philadelphia to keep that “winning” mojo going into the new year.
Under Daboll the Giants have been given hope with a playoff run back in 2022, which included a Wild Card victory over the Vikings (31-24) for their first playoff win in 11 years. However, aside from Daboll’s first year, the 2022 NFL AP Coach of the Year hasn’t had much success, with back-to-back seasons below .400 (.352 in 2023 and .176 in 2024).
With Schoen behind the scenes, he has picked up some gems late in the draft including RB Tyrone Tracy, LB Micah McFadden and CB Dru Phillips. In free agency Schoen has also been active in picking up star LB Brian Burns, OL Jon Runyan Jr and RB Devin Singletary. However, Schoen has had some “busts” with early important picks in WR Jalin Hyatt and OL Evan Neal and had the disaster contract of QB Daniel Jones and the walk away from Saquon Barkley.
Hopefully in this offseason Schoen and Daboll can prove to fans and ownership that their vision can and will work for the Giants in their saving chance from God.
