It’s been a brutal year for the New York Giants, and that’s putting it kindly. At 3-13 heading into Week 18, the 2024 season has been a spiral of quarterback chaos, defensive lapses, and a franchise-record losing streak. With head coach Brian Daboll firmly on the hot seat, speculation about his future continues to swirl.
Despite the noise from fans and pundits calling for change, a handful of Giants players have publicly thrown their support behind Daboll. Veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton, who’s seen three coaching changes in his six years with Big Blue, believes Daboll deserves another year. “It’s been three years. I think another year to try to give him a chance to really get things rolling would be warranted,” Slayton told the New York Post.
Third-year wideout Wan’Dale Robinson was even more vocal in his support. “I would love for him to be back,” Robinson said. “He’s the one who drafted me, stood up on the table for me. I believe in him, he believes in me.” That belief has translated into Robinson’s best season yet, with 83 catches, and his comments provide a glimmer of hope for Daboll’s future.
The NY Giants locker room backs Daboll, but will ownership?
It’s impossible to overlook the disaster that has been the Giants' quarterback situation this season. Daboll inherited an underwhelming Daniel Jones, who was cut midseason, only to cycle through Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito in what can only be described as a nightmare QB room.
None of these options were anywhere close to the caliber of quarterback Daboll worked with in Buffalo, where Josh Allen helped Daboll’s offense soar.
This context is why some players and fans argue that Daboll deserves a real chance with a capable quarterback under center. During his press conference following the G-Men's win over the Indianapolis Colts, Daboll’s comment—“I think if you get good quarterback play, you have an opportunity in every game”—felt like a clear message to ownership.
And it’s a fair point. The Giants' offense has been held hostage by poor quarterback play and an offensive line that’s been inconsistent at best. Combine that with losing key players like Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence to injuries, and it’s no wonder the team’s trajectory nosedived.
While the support from players like Robinson and Slayton is encouraging, it may not be enough to sway ownership. Giants co-owner John Mara is reportedly torn, wanting to maintain continuity while also recognizing the alarming decline in performance. At 18-31-1 in the regular season (plus 1-1 in the playoffs), Daboll’s record doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Still, the argument for keeping Daboll isn’t without merit. He’s shown he can win when given even marginally better talent, and he’s managed to hold the locker room together during a season that could have easily unraveled. Players like Brian Burns, who joined the team via trade this season, noted that the team “has rallied around Daboll all year.”
If the Giants part ways with Daboll, they risk resetting the clock once again—another new head coach, another system, another rebuilding timeline. But if they stick with him, they’ll need to pair him with a legitimate quarterback option and improve the roster in key areas.
As for Robinson, his optimism is contagious. “I’ve had ultimate confidence in Dabes and our offensive staff ever since I’ve been here,” he said. That kind of belief in a coach can be a powerful thing. Whether it’s enough to save Daboll’s job remains to be seen, but it’s clear at least some of his players are firmly in his corner.