Desperate plea to Giants to keep Daboll and Schoen beyond 2024 misses the mark

It’s becoming increasingly clear the head coach and general manager tandem of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen era in New York is nearing its end. The Giants are 2-10, a record that doesn’t even begin to encapsulate the dysfunction that has plagued the team on and off the field this season. Yet, some voices within the Giants’ orbit are making the case for ownership to give Daboll and Schoen another chance.

Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com argues that the Giants should retain both Daboll and Schoen, citing their previous success in 2022 and the disarray they inherited when they joined the franchise.

Stapleton’s defense hinges on the notion that the duo hasn’t been given enough time to execute their vision:

“The bold move, and the right one now, is to give this regime another shot at pulling the organization out of this tailspin with conviction and a vision that a lot of us might not see, or agree with, or both.”

Stapleton acknowledges that mistakes have been made but believes firing Daboll and Schoen would be an overreaction to a bad season. He also points to the challenges of rebuilding the roster, especially after inheriting what was essentially a broken foundation.

The Giants must move on from Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen

While the idea of continuity is appealing, Stapleton’s argument overlooks the obvious: Daboll and Schoen have not just failed to improve the Giants but have actively alienated key players and shattered locker room morale.

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has publicly criticized Daboll multiple times this season, going as far as to question his offensive game plan after a 30-7 drubbing by the Buccaneers. Defensive captain Dexter Lawrence described the team’s Week 12 performance as “soft” and later clarified his frustration extended to leadership. Meanwhile, Schoen’s handling of Daniel Jones’s release, the DeVito-Lock quarterback carousel, and personnel decisions like letting Saquon Barkley walk in free agency have only exacerbated tensions.

The team’s on-field performance has been equally abysmal. The Giants rank dead last in scoring offense (15.3 points per game) and red-zone efficiency while struggling defensively against both the run and pass. Daboll, a coach hired for his offensive acumen, has been unable to make any meaningful adjustments.

Schoen and Daboll had their moment of promise in 2022, but the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. The pair has lost 17 of their last 19 games dating back to last season, with no signs of progress. Keeping them around would send the wrong message to the players, the fans, and the organization.

Furthermore, a rebuild cannot succeed without unified leadership. Schoen and Daboll are clearly not on the same page with the locker room or even with each other. Any general manager brought in to replace Schoen would almost certainly want to hire their own head coach, making it pointless to retain Daboll without Schoen.

The Giants are at a crossroads, armed with a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a chance to select their quarterback of the future. It’s time to clean house and bring in a leadership team capable of building a cohesive roster and culture. Clinging to Daboll and Schoen for the sake of continuity would be an exercise in futility.

Ultimately, the Giants’ failures this season are not just about the roster. They are about leadership, or the lack thereof. Daboll and Schoen had their chance, and they blew it. It’s time for John Mara to turn the page and usher in a new era for Big Blue.

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