There’s a difference between standing by your players and stubbornly clinging to failing decisions. Right now, NY Giants GM Joe Schoen appears to be doing the latter.
As the Giants sit at a dismal 2-8, Schoen was recently asked if he regrets his offseason approach to the quarterback position, a question that has only grown more relevant as the Giants’ season has spiraled. Schoen’s answer was a simple, unapologetic “No.”
Joe Schoen is asked if he wishes the Giants handled their QB situation differently in the offseason: "No" pic.twitter.com/zMWGurTAts
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 12, 2024
For Giants fans, that one-word response feels like a gut punch. The offseason was the perfect time to carefully assess the QB position. The Giants had options and flexibility to make moves, yet Schoen chose to lock in on Daniel Jones with a massive extension.
While there’s something to be said for giving a player the benefit of the doubt, Jones’s track record raised serious questions, and Schoen’s decision to invest heavily in him felt, at the time, like a high-stakes gamble. Fast forward to now, and that gamble is looking like a painful mistake.
Jones has struggled, and the Giants’ offense has remained stagnant, leaving the team with a franchise quarterback who hasn’t proven he can carry the offense.
Joe Schoen regrets nothing with how things have gone for NY Giants
Adding to the frustration, Schoen’s inaction at the trade deadline only compounded the problem. With the season already slipping away, the Giants desperately needed either an infusion of talent or future assets to kickstart a rebuild.
Instead, Schoen chose to sit tight, holding onto players who could have potentially been traded for draft picks or developmental talent. By doing nothing, he essentially left the team in limbo - neither truly rebuilding nor competing. This lack of a clear direction has been maddening for fans who are desperate for a winning culture to return to New York.
Schoen’s refusal to acknowledge mistakes has become a recurring theme, one that’s eroding fans’ confidence in his ability to lead a turnaround. In a leadership role like his, admitting fault and learning from missteps is essential. But Schoen’s deflection and his “no regrets” approach suggest he’s unwilling to even consider an alternate perspective, and that lack of self-reflection sends a troubling message about his long-term vision.
The Giants are now looking at another losing season, and while injuries and roster challenges have certainly played a part, it’s impossible to ignore Schoen’s role in the team’s struggles. His unwillingness to admit that he may have made mistakes with key decisions like the quarterback contract and trade deadline inactivity has left fans questioning if he’s the right person for the job.
At a time when the Giants need hope and a plan for the future, Schoen’s response feels anything but hopeful. Fans want accountability, direction, and leadership, but instead, they’re getting a GM who seems more interested in sticking to his decisions than learning from them.
As things stand, Schoen’s steadfast refusal to admit fault could be dragging the Giants down with him, leaving the franchise, and its loyal fanbase, stuck in an endless cycle of disappointment.