Decade of dysfunction proves John Mara is the real problem with Giants

The New York Giants have reached a new low. Sunday's 14-11 loss to the New Orleans Saints—punctuated by Drew Lock's dismal showing and a chorus of fan frustrations flying high over MetLife Stadium—felt like the culmination of a decade-long slide into irrelevance.

But as the fanbase stews, one question remains unanswered: when will John Mara, the man at the top, be held accountable for this mess?

Sure, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have been easy targets this season. Schoen’s roster-building failures are evident, and Daboll’s inability to replicate his initial success has turned him into yet another in a long line of disappointing hires. But if we zoom out, it’s clear the root of the Giants’ woes runs deeper than the sidelines or front office. The blame lies with an ownership group that has consistently failed to provide the franchise with the leadership it desperately needs.

John Mara isn’t just a passive observer in the Giants’ dysfunction; he’s been a central figure in the decision-making process that has delivered the team to this point.

Daboll’s record (17-28-1) is frustrating, but let’s not forget Mara’s other “home-run” hires: Pat Shurmur (9-23) and Joe Judge (10-23). That’s a combined 36-74-1 over three regimes. At what point do we start questioning the judgment of the person making these hires?

When will John Mara be held accountable for questionable coaching hires?

The Giants’ struggles are as much about organizational culture as they are about personnel. Since the end of Tom Coughlin’s tenure, the team has lacked clear direction, cycling through head coaches and general managers with no cohesive plan. Mara’s insistence on maintaining control—despite evidence suggesting he should step back—has left the franchise adrift.

Consider the decision to hire Judge, who turned the Giants into a laughingstock with his infamous quarterback sneak on 3rd-and-9. Or Shurmur, whose reputation as an offensive guru never materialized in East Rutherford. These were not the calculated decisions of an owner aiming to elevate his team. They were desperate swings from a franchise clinging to the past while the NFL evolved around them.

Mara’s track record also extends to mishandling player personnel. Let’s not forget the ill-advised $160 million extension for Daniel Jones (and then his ultimate release) or the failure to re-sign Saquon Barkley, now thriving in Philadelphia. These blunders aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a broader pattern of poor decision-making under Mara’s watch.

The fans have had enough, as evidenced by the plane banner imploring Mara to “fix this dumpster fire.” Their frustration is warranted. This is a franchise that once prided itself on stability and class, reduced to a perennial laughingstock.

If the Giants are to regain relevance, the changes need to start at the top. Mara must take a hard look in the mirror and recognize his approach isn’t working. Whether that means ceding some control, bringing in a football czar, or simply being more open to modern practices, something has to give. For too long, the Giants have been run like a family business, and it’s costing them dearly on the field.

Accountability starts at the top, and until John Mara takes responsibility for his role in the team’s failures, the Giants will remain stuck in the NFL’s basement. Fans deserve better, and frankly, so does the franchise. It’s time for Mara to prove he’s capable of providing the leadership this organization desperately needs.

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