Shadow exec afraid of Deion Sanders sounds a lot like Joe Schoen

Apparently, there's an anonymous executive who reportedly questioned Deion Sanders’ coaching style and his potential fit in the league. With the New York Giants at the center of speculation about offseason changes, it’s hard not to wonder if this shadow exec could be none other than Giants general manager Joe Schoen.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the unnamed GM described Sanders as someone who “can be hard to work for” and doubted whether his motivational style would translate to NFL players.

It didn’t take long for speculation to spread about who this could be. And let’s be honest, this mystery GM sounds an awful lot like the Giants’ Joe Schoen. With the team sitting at 2-10 and no clear direction in sight, Schoen is undoubtedly looking ahead to offseason decisions. Could the current state of the team, and Schoen’s preference for a more traditional leadership style, make him the kind of guy wary of Sanders’ charisma and flair? It’s worth considering.

For a GM like Schoen, Sanders might represent everything he’s uncomfortable with: a coach who operates outside the traditional mold, whose personality is as much a part of the program as his results. And maybe that’s exactly what makes this idea so fun to think about.

Deion Sanders would walk all over Giants GM Joe Schoen

Let’s picture it. Joe Schoen, with his buttoned-up, process-driven approach to football, sitting down with Deion Sanders in a hypothetical interview for the New York Giants’ head coaching job. How long before Schoen starts sweating? Sanders isn’t a “by the book” guy. He’s the book. He’s the one writing the rules, and his success speaks for itself.

Schoen, on the other hand, has built his reputation on sticking to a system. He came from Buffalo, where the Bills’ measured rebuild under Brandon Beane was the blueprint. He values structure, discipline, and quiet efficiency, none of which are hallmarks of a Deion Sanders program.

It’s easy to see how someone with Schoen’s approach could view Sanders as a risk. The anonymous exec cited concerns about Sanders’ ability to connect with pros versus college athletes. If this is Schoen, it’s not hard to imagine why he might hesitate at the idea of such a polarizing figure in New York. Especially when the Giants are desperate for stability after years of dysfunction.

For a Giants franchise that’s been stuck in neutral for years, wouldn’t a little bit of Deion Sanders swagger actually help? Sure, Sanders would bring headlines, and he wouldn’t shy away from challenging a front office. But for a team that’s 2-10, is that really a bad thing?

At the very least, Sanders has proven he can build a winning culture, something Schoen and the Giants desperately need. Maybe the flashy motivational speeches and bold proclamations aren’t Schoen’s style, but they’ve worked everywhere Sanders has been.

If Joe Schoen is the “shadow exec,” he’s not alone in questioning whether Sanders would fit in the NFL. But for a Giants team that hasn’t seen success in years, maybe it’s time to think outside the box. Sanders would definitely walk all over Schoen.

Maybe that’s exactly what this franchise needs to get back on its feet.

More New York Giants news and analysis