For the first time in a long time, the New York Giants are starting to feel back. General manager Joe Schoen worked tirelessly to bring in John Harbaugh as the team's next head coach, signaling a massive culture shift in Giants football.
With Harby in tow, the fifth-year GM has fully turned his focus to roster building and figuring out what that’s going to look like as the meat and potatoes of the offseason arrive. I’m talking free agency and the draft.
Speaking at the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning, Schoen provided a positive update on how he views the future in North Jersey, especially when it comes to building a competitive roster around franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart. Instead of sitting idly by and waiting for the pieces around Dart to magically fall into place, he understands that Big Blue is in the perfect position to take advantage of having their 22-year-old on a rookie contract, with the possibilities seeming endless:
Joe Schoen was asked about building out the Giants' roster during Jaxson Dart's rookie contract:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) February 24, 2026
"You're at an advantage. When you talk about a surplus at those positions and what those guys are getting on the open market. We have some young core pieces" pic.twitter.com/so20fr43gK
That’s front-office speak for knowing the window is open right now and not wanting to waste a rookie-contract quarterback while it is.
A more self-aware Joe Schoen shows up in Indianapolis for 2026 combine
Well, that's a refreshing take from what Big Blue Nation has grown accustomed to when the much-maligned GM talks.
The last couple of times the 46-year-old spoke with the media, things could have gone better. In his first comments after another miserable season, he ducked accountability and gaslit fans in the most egregious way possible. He equated four years of failure to stubbing a toe. He admitted he made mistakes early on, but said he was thrilled ownership doesn’t hold him responsible for any of it.
If you thought that was bad -- I certainly did (it's a fun read) -- his interview with WFAN two weeks later was even worse. Speaking with Giants legend Tiki Barber, Schoen was either lying through his teeth or fully delusional, because he said if he got fired, he could look himself in the mirror and be proud of what he did… all because four years ago they were in a tough cap spot and he didn't throw up a Hail Mary.
Tone, meet deaf.
However, Tuesday’s comments showed a front office executive who might’ve already done some growing with a future Hall of Fame head coach in the building. It’s almost like having the right guy around actually makes a difference. Crazy.
It'll be all eyes on the GM to actually take advantage. Actions speak louder than words.