Most of the fanbase was pretty perplexed when the New York Giants signed Joe Schoen to an extension last week. When the Giants hired John Harbaugh, the belief was his presence would be the straw that broke the camel's back and ultimately lead to Schoen's firing some time in the near future.
The Big Blue faithful have been waiting for the 46-year-old to get fired for years now. In fact, it was surprising that he survived the Brian Daboll firing. But he and Harbaugh have apparently gotten off on the right foot, and their strong rapport looks like the only saving grace he has despite this extension.
Even with this new extension, I wouldn't necessarily label Schoen's job security as that safe. He was extended more out of necessity than desire, kind of like Ryan Poles last summer. But like Poles, he has a chance to finally rewrite his sitting duck narrative now that he's working with a better coach.
Joe Schoen must embrace the backseat role in order to stay with the Giants
Even though ESPN's Bill Barnwell dunked on the Giants for extending him in the first place, I (who also disliked the move) think he has an opportunity to silence the perception around him for good. And it's not a matter of doing more, it's to do less because of New York's revamped front office structure.
"The Giants got this one in at the last second, as they signed their general manager to a new deal last week," Barnwell wrote. "It comes after Schoen's role in the front office was reportedly a sticking point in negotiations between the Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh, who now has final say in personnel while reporting directly to ownership."
Barnwelll made light of something that's become evident in the Super Bowl-winning head coach's first offseason with the G-Men: Harbaugh, not Schoen is essentially operating as the franchise's lead decision-maker with final say in personnel decisions. And the shift in the power structure was made crystal clear amid the Giants' most productive offseason in years.
Harbaugh was the reason countless Ravens joined the Giants this offseason, and also the reason they drafted Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa. I know who inspires more confidence calling the shots. The only way for Schoen to make this extension worth it is to follow the lead of his new boss.
Rather than engaging in a power struggle with the man he can credit with getting him his extension in the first place, he should embrace the backseat role. The fifth-year GM has a 23-45-1 record at the helm, but hitching his wagon to one of the best coaches in the NFL is a good way to save your job.
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