Just hours after confirming Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen would return for the 2025 season, New York Giants co-owner John Mara is already casting doubts on the decision. While Mara initially expressed confidence in their ability to turn things around, his recent comments suggest a much shorter leash than fans might have expected.
“We’re going to have to see,” Mara said when asked if Daboll and Schoen are on the hot seat next year. “I’m going to have to be in a better mood this time next year than I am right now.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement for two men tasked with rebuilding the franchise after a 3-14 disaster.
When pressed on how long it might take to fix the team’s mess, Mara’s response was blunt: “It better not take too long because I’ve just about run out of patience.” For fans still processing the decision to keep the duo, these comments add even more uncertainty to an already fraught situation.
John Mara is asked how long it will take for the Giants to improve:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2025
"It better not take too long, because I've just about run out of patience." pic.twitter.com/XqoDo1EqEd
John Mara’s vote of confidence comes with strings attached
Mara’s remarks make one thing clear: the leash for Daboll and Schoen is giving inches. The co-owner’s candor about his frustration and impatience suggests that this isn’t a long-term commitment—it’s a one-year trial.
Even Mara admitted the team hasn’t shown much progress, despite some individual bright spots. “I’m not sure I am all that confident that it’s that much better,” Mara said about the roster. That’s a sobering assessment of a season where the Giants set franchise records for futility, including a 10-game losing streak and consistent struggles on both sides of the ball.
This sentiment directly contrasts with the reasoning Mara gave for sticking with Daboll and Schoen. While he praised Daboll’s ability to keep the locker room together and Schoen’s 2024 draft class—which included standout rookie Malik Nabers—he openly acknowledged the team’s backward trajectory. “It’s hard for me to say we’re going in the right direction right now because we’ve been going backward,” Mara said.
Mara also pointed to the quarterback position as the team’s biggest need, stating, “That’s obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason.” With the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Giants are widely expected to select their quarterback of the future. But given the stakes, the pressure to get this right is enormous.
Mara’s comments reveal a delicate balance: he’s giving Daboll and Schoen another chance, but his patience is running out. If the team doesn’t show significant improvement in 2025, there’s little doubt the Giants will be searching for new leadership—again—stuck in the same cycle.