Joe Schoen’s Uncertain Future Leaves the Giants Searching for Direction
This week, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen held a difficult press conference, raising worries about his long-term role and the team’s future. Reporters grilled him for about 20 minutes about the franchise’s rapid decline and what he will do to stop it. Schoen emphasized that he “understands the questions,” but furious fans were left confused.
The Giants are at their lowest point in history, 5-25 in their last 30 games. Schoen confessed the record is “not good enough,” his mistakes, and that his perfect batting average as a decision-maker is “long gone.” Even with this honesty, he showed little signs of a plan to restore a roster that has faltered at practically every level.
Schoen discussed the team’s young players, ownership’s support, and the possibility of running a franchise in a major market throughout the discussion. But when asked about examples of improvement or specific solutions, he generally said “looking at everything” and “getting better.” The lack of details suggested the company was still searching for solutions rather than implementing a strategy.
Schoen’s uncertainty was notably evident during personnel discussions. His early draft picks, Evan Neal and Deonte Banks, have failed, and the defense is among the bottom of the league despite big spending and a top-three pick. Schoen cited execution, late-game breakdowns, and his own mistakes as reasons the defense remains one of the league’s weakest. There were no guarantees of improvement in his suggestions.
Timing adds to the confusion. Three weeks after Brian Daboll was fired, Schoen stays with no public indication he will stay another season. Schoen failed to reveal whether ownership had committed to him despite requests from reporters. His behavior suggested a man who was planning to return next year but couldn’t say so.
That ambiguity raises the question of whether keeping Schoen could make hiring a head coach harder. With renowned names in coaching conversations across the league, the Giants must assess if their front-office structure helps or damages their potential to attract the best candidate. Comparisons to the dark years before Bill Parcells restored the squad are getting harder to ignore as ownership has seen the franchise tank.
A series of games might determine the Giants’ future. With a seven-game losing streak and multiple struggling opponents ahead, the season’s final month may determine if Schoen gets another chance to rebuild this roster or the team resets.
His title is general manager for now. How long that will persist and what the plan is grows in mystery.
Sources
New York Giants press availability
NFL season performance records
