Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, 60th superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, cadet leadership, members of the cadet glee club and the Benny Havens Band took part in the Salute to Soldier events during the New York Giant's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 at Metlife Stadium. (U.S. Army Photos by Brandon O'Connor)
Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, 60th superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, cadet leadership, members of the cadet glee club and the Benny Havens Band took part in the Salute to Soldier events during the New York Giant’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 at Metlife Stadium. (U.S. Army Photos by Brandon O’Connor)The NFL’s annual convention will take place this weekend in Orlando, Florida. Giants co-owner John Mara is likely to address reporters sometime in the next several days. Since last year’s annual meeting, he has not spoken with the media at long.
A lot has happened with his franchise since then, including last season’s 6-11 fiasco, which wiped out a lot of the goodwill from 2022’s stunning victory, when coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen made their debuts as rookies.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the most pressing questions for Mara in Orlando. Does Mara still believe in Daniel Jones? Last year, Mara was high on Jones, who had just signed a two-year, $82 million contract. However, Jones is coming off a difficult season in which he appeared in only six games. In addition, he is recovering from an ACL tear. Plus, 2024 is effectively the contract’s final year (which appears to be a failure so far). So, what does Mara think about Jones now? And how would Mara react to Schoen drafting a QB at No. 6 (or higher) next month? Is Brian Daboll on the hot seat?
He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2022, when the Giants won a wild-card playoff game in Minnesota before losing to Philadelphia in the divisional round. Then came 2023, when the Giants were in complete disarray and Daboll alienated his coaching staff (particularly defensive coordinator Wink Martindale) with his erratic behavior during games. What does Mara make of the ugliness? And if that happens again in 2024, might Daboll be cut next summer, when Mara will no longer be paying Joe Judge’s buyout?
How will drafting a QB affect job security? This question affects Daboll and Schoen. Obviously, a general manager typically gets more than one season after selecting a quarterback high. In terms of a head coach, it is not always the case, especially if the club struggles with the rookie quarterback. But Mara selected Daboll primarily because of his excellent job shaping Josh Allen in Buffalo. So you’d think Mara would want to offer Daboll more than a single season as Jones’ replacement. Remember, Mara stated at Daboll’s inaugural news conference two years ago that the Giants threw too many coaching staff turnovers at Jones early in his career. So why would they repeat that with the new quarterback?
Are the Giants as distant from contention as they appeared in 2023? It appears that 2022 was a mirage, powered primarily by luck and victories over weak clubs. The 2023 Giants resembled a rebuilding squad rather than a true contender. And now they’re going forward without their finest offensive player, running back Saquon Barkley, who has signed with the Eagles. Are they still rebuilding?
Well, the trade for (and enormous deal awarded to) edge rusher Brian Burns suggests otherwise. So, where are they in their journey to re-establish themselves as a legitimate contender? The 2023 Giants finished bottom in Pro Football Focus’ overall team ratings, and dead worst in the whole league. They finished 29th in 2022, despite their accomplishments. They aren’t a decent team right now.
What is Mara’s patience at this point? The Giants last appeared in (and won) the Super Bowl following the 2011 season. They have made the playoffs twice in the last 12 seasons, once in 2016 and once in 2022, both times in the divisional round. Mara isn’t getting any younger (and probably isn’t being any more patient). He turns 70 in December. Since their most recent Super Bowl victory, the Giants’ records have been 9-7, 7-9, 6-10, 6-10, 11-5, 3-13, 5-11, 4-12, 6-10, 4-13, 9-7-1, and 6-11. Their admirers are fed up. Is it Mara?
