While most of the New York Giants’ unemployment noise has been around former head coach Brian Daboll’s firing and fans’ insistence on defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s firing, general manager Joe Schoen has come out pretty unscathed.
He’s by no means clean, but ownership has all but publicly backed him by announcing the 46-year-old will be heading up the head coaching search once the season is over. It’s a confusing and semi-infuriating reality, especially since many of the team’s failures are just as much his as they were Daboll’s. There’s definitely some sort of scapegoat situation going on, and after another loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, it’s becoming more obvious than ever that Schoen’s gotta go.
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The fourth-year exec dragged his feet on giving the offense help, finally making the move fans had been yelling about for weeks by signing wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins off the Steelers’ practice squad.
Add in his attachment to his own draft picks — guys who either never see the field or probably shouldn’t because they’re borderline unplayable (Jalin Hyatt, Evan Neal, Deonte Banks) — and it’s clear his fragile ego is getting in the way of building an actual roster. Ownership shouldn’t think twice about parting ways.
The good news is the Giants won’t be short on options if they make a change, and Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby is a name worth paying attention to once January hits.
Alec Halaby could be perfect Joe Schoen replacement for Giants
Halaby checks just about every box you’d want if the Giants finally decide to hit reset on the front office — which they should.
He’s been in Philadelphia forever, working his way from intern to assistant GM while helping build one of the most consistently competitive rosters in the league. Two Super Bowls, yearly playoff pushes, and a roster that reloads instead of rebuilds — he’s been in the middle of all of it. Wouldn't that be nice?
What makes him interesting for NY is how he blends analytics with scouting. The Eagles use every tool they have to make decisions, and that balance is something the G-Men keep saying they care about but never manage to figure out. The 39-year-old actually does it, and the results speak for themselves.
He’s also seen every part of how a functioning front office operates. Working with perennial superstar front office exec Howie Roseman certainly helps. Personnel decisions, cap strategy, draft prep, day-to-day adjustments — he’s been involved in all of it. And when you look at Schoen’s 20-41-1 record, it’s fair to wonder if that's just too much losing culture to overcome.
There are other names worth keeping an eye on. Brandon Brown is already in the building and comes from the same Eagles pipeline. Ray Agnew in Detroit has been a big part of the Lions’ turnaround. Ian Cunningham in Chicago is another candidate who seems to pop up every hiring cycle. So the Giants won’t be limited in options if they want change.
But Halaby feels like the one who makes the most sense. He understands how to build and sustain a roster, and he comes from a place that keeps finding ways to stay ahead of everyone else. And, honestly, if the Giants can poach a major piece from the Eagles, that alone might make it all worth it.