Joe Schoen’s deflections highlight complete lack of accountability

The New York Giants’ front office, once cautiously optimistic about a rebuilding process, is now under the microscope as GM Joe Schoen’s latest comments only seem to evade responsibility for the team's disastrous 2-8 record.

In his recent bye-week press conference, Schoen deflected the reasons behind the Giants' poor performance, choosing instead to vaguely refer to “process” and “direction” without addressing the glaring issues in his decision-making.

When asked about the struggling roster and poor team performance, Schoen seemed to dodge accountability, suggesting that the 2022 season’s brief success “masked” long-term problems. While he admitted to mistakes, he failed to specify where he went wrong - whether it was failing to make impactful moves at the trade deadline, his handling of Saquon Barkley’s contract, or his choice to let key players like Xavier McKinney walk.

Instead, he focused on his “belief” in the team’s trajectory, despite obvious evidence to the contrary.

Schoen’s avoidance of specifics reflects a pattern that’s hard to ignore. When asked if the roster was strong enough to support head coach Brian Daboll, Schoen dismissed the question by saying, “I don’t think that’s the problem.” For a team struggling on both sides of the ball, with little to show for any significant “rebuild,” his lack of transparency and accountability sends a troubling message to fans.

What has Joe Schoen been doing for the NY Giants?

If Schoen’s strategy is about building for the future, his recent decisions haven’t shown it.

Letting players like Barkley and McKinney walk in free agency didn’t result in added value. Schoen had ample opportunity at this past trade deadline to either bolster the roster or accumulate draft assets for 2024, yet he chose to sit on the sidelines. This non-action speaks to a front office that seems unsure of its own direction - a GM trying to accelerate a rebuild on the one hand, yet clinging to the current roster without making the moves necessary to genuinely improve the team.

Even Schoen’s statements about his future plans felt evasive. He noted that he “likes the direction” of the team, but what direction is that?

The Giants aren’t showing measurable improvement, and Schoen's refusal to address specifics suggests a reluctance to own up to his missteps. Fans are left questioning if he’s truly committed to a competitive rebuild or if he's just buying time with empty reassurances.

In response to questions about how the Giants can get back on track, Schoen pointed to the close games they’ve lost this season, claiming, “We’re not getting blown out.” This is a poor consolation for fans watching a franchise that hasn’t been competitive in the games that count. A close loss isn’t progress; it’s a missed opportunity.

The hard truth is that Schoen’s tenure has seen little but disappointment and indecision, and his refusal to acknowledge where he’s gone wrong only reinforces the doubts surrounding his leadership. If the Giants are going to make it out of this rut, accountability can’t be optional.

Until Schoen shows some, it’s hard to believe in any long-term vision he claims to have for this team.

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