It’s one thing for fans to criticize a general manager’s decisions. It’s another when a franchise legend casually does it on national TV for all to see. That’s what happened when Michael Strahan, Hall of Fame defensive end and beloved New York Giants icon, publicly torched Joe Schoen's decision-making during a FOX broadcast.
His target? The offseason moves—or lack thereof—that sent Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney packing to rival teams.
Strahan, never one to hold back, took aim while analyzing the Wild Card matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. With a sarcastic grin, he delivered a line that shamelessly took aim at the Giants' incompetence: “Thank you, New York Giants, ’cause you let (McKinney) go and you let Barkley go. Well done.” For an organization reeling from a dismal 3-14 season, Strahan’s words were more than a jab—they were a megaphone echoing deep and personal frustrations.
This critique lands as Schoen faces heat from all sides. Just days earlier, an ESPN report quoted an anonymous source comparing the Giants’ decision-making to moves “made off Twitter.” Add Strahan’s biting comments, and the perception of Schoen’s leadership—or lack thereof—continues to spiral downward.
Public roasts seem to follow Joe Schoen everywhere
Strahan’s comments highlight just how impactful Barkley and McKinney have been since leaving New York. Barkley, now with the Eagles, rushed for over 2,000 yards, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to do so. He led Philadelphia to an NFC East title and a playoff win, while the Giants’ run game averaged a paltry 3.4 yards per carry.
Letting Barkley walk over a reported $2 million gap in negotiations now seems indefensible.
Meanwhile, McKinney has thrived with the Packers. His eight interceptions, combined with an All-Pro first-team nod, underscore just how much the Giants lost. New York’s secondary, meanwhile, had some bright spots, but it was clear they missed him, exposing Schoen’s failure to retain one of their top homegrown talents.
Strahan’s dig wasn’t just about losing talent—it was about losing core locker-room guys. Barkley and McKinney weren’t just players; they were cornerstone stars, the kind of guys fans build emotional ties to. Watching them thrive elsewhere while the Giants stumble through mediocrity feels like a gut punch—it's also a reminder that under Schoen's leadership, more moves like this can be expected.
His comments mirror the exasperation Giants fans have been voicing all season: a deep frustration with a front office that seems completely adrift and outclassed.
This offseason isn’t just about fixing the roster—it’s a referendum on Joe Schoen’s leadership. The “Twitter GM” narrative isn’t going away unless he proves he can steer this ship back on course.
If Strahan’s public roast wasn’t enough to light a fire under Schoen, what would be? Giants fans, former legends like Strahan, and the G-Men themselves are done with the excuses. It’s time to prove Big Blue can still reclaim its greatness.