John Mara likely regrets perplexing confidence in Daboll & Schoen

NY Giants' owner has put himself between a rock and a hard place.
Carolina Panthers v New York Giants
Carolina Panthers v New York Giants / Rich Schultz/GettyImages
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Things have gone from bad to worse for the NY Giants this season. After starting 2-3, Big Blue now sits at 2-8, riding a five-game losing streak. Although they've been competitive in some of those matchups, it’s hard to ignore just how disappointing this season has been.

Brian Daboll took the Giants to the playoffs in his first year as head coach in 2022, even grabbing an underdog win against the Minnesota Vikings. Fans thought the G-Men were finally heading in the right direction. But after last year’s 6-11 season and this season’s disaster, calls for Daboll’s and GM Joe Schoen’s jobs are getting louder.

Giants owner John Mara may soon have to reckon with his public confidence in Daboll and Schoen. If things keep trending this way, he could be rethinking his commitment to patience.

John Mara might eat his words regarding Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen

When Mara backed Daboll and Schoen after the Giants’ 2-5 start, he emphasized that he didn’t want to repeat the past by pulling the plug on leadership too early. But with the team at 2-8 and struggling in every key area, it’s getting harder to justify that stance. Daboll and Schoen may have built up some goodwill with their playoff run in 2022, but this season has shown little progress. In fact, the Giants seem to be going backward.

The Giants’ offense has been a disaster. They rank near the bottom of the league in points per game (31st) and red-zone scoring (32nd). The offensive line is one of the NFL’s weakest, and poor planning left them scrambling once star tackle Andrew Thomas got injured. Running Joshua Ezeudu at left tackle was a desperate move, and it’s left fans questioning the front office’s preparation.

Statistical category

Giants offense this season

NFL rank

Points per game

15.6

31st

Points per play

0.239

32nd

Redzone scoring % (TD)

39.29%

32nd

TDs per game

1.6

30th

Yards per pass

5.9

29th

Schoen’s personnel decisions are also facing increased scrutiny. The Saquon Barkley saga still stings. The "let's not pay Xavier McKinney in FA" decision has worked wonders... for the Green Bay Packers.

As for Daboll, his on-field decisions haven’t inspired confidence either. Take Week 2, for example, when a lack of a backup kicker plan cost them a winnable game against Washington. These aren’t the kinds of mistakes that get overlooked, especially with a team that needs every advantage it can get. Daboll has looked overwhelmed at times, and even fans who once believed in his potential are beginning to lose patience.

Mara’s promise of patience with Daboll and Schoen came when there was still a sliver of hope for the season.

With the Giants at 2-8 and the offense completely stalled, Mara must be rethinking his stance. Giants fans are proud and passionate, but they’re fed up with watching a team that looks unprepared and outmatched every Sunday. Mara has taken similar stands in the past, only to reverse course and take action when the pressure mounts.

Whether Mara decides to make a change or stands by his words, one thing is clear: the Giants are at a crossroads, and Mara will have to answer for this season’s failures. Fans deserve a team that’s built to win, and if Daboll and Schoen can’t deliver that, Mara may have no choice but to reconsider their futures.

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