Let’s face it: being a New York Giants fan these past few years has been like waiting in line for a rollercoaster that never actually works. Excitement, hope, then… disappointment. When Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen arrived three years ago, it felt like a glimmer of hope after a decade of missteps. But here we are, staring down the barrel of another possible housecleaning. So, what went wrong? Let’s get real with seven uncomfortable truths.
1. Daboll and Schoen Inherited a Mess—but Made It Worse
When the duo walked into 1925 Giants Drive, the franchise was a fixer-upper, no doubt. Years of bad drafts, ill-timed trades, and coaching carousel chaos had left the team in shambles. But instead of a gradual rebuild, they threw a curveball: squeezing an improbable playoff run out of a roster that needed retooling. That one magical season? It derailed the long-term plan.
2. The Daniel Jones Contract Is a Franchise-Altering Misfire
Look, hindsight is 20/20, but $82 million guaranteed for Daniel Jones after one good season? That’s a rough pill to swallow. Daboll believed in Jones; Schoen backed his coach. But the gamble backfired when Jones regressed. His 16-game tenure post-extension ended with a thud, leaving the Giants stuck paying for a quarterback they no longer believe in.
3. Saquon Barkley Thrives… In Philly Green
Oh, this one stings. Letting Barkley walk felt like the “right” decision at the time, given his injury history and the team’s rebuilding priorities. But watching him rack up 2,000 yards as an MVP candidate with the Eagles? It’s enough to make any Giants fan shout at their TV. Daboll and Schoen underestimated how much losing Barkley’s spark would deflate the franchise—and the fanbase.
4. Daboll’s No-Blame Game Isn’t Winning Hearts
Daboll has kept his emotions tightly in check, refusing to point fingers. Admirable? Sure. Effective? Not so much. Fans want accountability when things go south, and Daboll’s stoic demeanor can feel like a dodge. Compare that to Joe Judge’s finger-pointing circus, though, and you can almost appreciate Daboll’s restraint. Almost.
5. The Giants Are Still in Lincoln Financial Field Purgatory
Remember the last time the Giants won in Philly? 2013. Yep, the Obama administration. For a team with such a rich history, this drought has become a glaring symbol of decline. Ending it on Sunday could offer a shred of hope, but even that feels like a stretch given this season’s 3-13 record.
6. Schoen’s Draft Picks Haven’t Delivered—Yet
Building through the draft is a patient man’s game, but Schoen’s early returns haven’t inspired confidence. The Giants are still waiting for breakout performances from key draft picks, and the timeline for their development isn’t syncing with the growing impatience of fans or ownership. It’s a recipe for disaster in the New York media market.
7. Cleaning House Won’t Fix Everything
Here’s the toughest pill to swallow: even if Daboll and Schoen are shown the door, the problems run deeper than the front office. The Giants’ decade of despair isn’t solely on their shoulders. Ownership’s past decisions—remember Dave Gettleman’s reign of terror?—still cast a long shadow. A clean slate sounds great, but is it truly clean when you’re using the same chalkboard?
Daboll and Schoen were supposed to be the saviors. Instead, they’ve become the latest chapter in a frustrating saga of futility. Sunday’s finale against the Eagles feels less like a game and more like an audition for survival. Giants fans deserve better, but whether that “better” comes with or without Daboll and Schoen remains the $64,000 question.
P.S. I’m not saying this is all John Mara’s fault, but maybe stop making big decisions in January. Just a thought.
P.P.S. If the Giants win in Philly, I’ll eat my words (and maybe a cheesesteak).