The New York Giants just wrapped up their 100th season, but there’s little to celebrate. With a franchise-worst 3-14 record, including a winless NFC East campaign, the team now faces a critical crossroads. Head coach Brian Daboll is at the center of it, with his future hanging by a thread.
Daboll, who guided the Giants to a playoff appearance in his first season, has seen the franchise regress sharply over the last two years. Whether he gets a fourth season to right the ship will depend on a critical evaluation by ownership, and Daboll remains tight-lipped about his plans to discuss the team’s future.
Daboll’s Uncertain Future
Speaking after Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles — their 11th straight defeat at Lincoln Financial Field — Daboll kept details about his upcoming conversations with the Giants’ ownership under wraps.
“We’ll talk,” he said simply. “We talk all the time. We’ll sit down and have a conversation.”
Pressed further, Daboll deflected, offering no hints about his status or preliminary discussions. When asked why he should remain head coach, he pointed to his belief in the Giants’ current structure.
“We’re 3-14, but I believe in the people and our process,” Daboll said. “I’ve got a good relationship with the Mara family, the Tisch family, and Joe [Schoen]. We’ll go through that process.”
Ownership Divided?
While insiders like Jay Glazer and Adam Schefter believe Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are likely to return, others, including Jordan Schultz, report that ownership has considered keeping Schoen while parting ways with Daboll. Such a move would signal a sharp course correction for a franchise searching for answers after its most abysmal season in history.
Schoen, widely seen as more secure in his role, has maintained strong communication with Daboll, but the two may face separate evaluations as the Giants’ brass looks to explain the team’s collapse.
A Quarterback Quandary and Other Failures
Daboll may lean on the team’s quarterback struggles as a defense for his performance. Despite efforts to secure a new franchise quarterback in last year’s draft, the Giants were rebuffed, leaving them with instability at the game’s most critical position.
But the issues extend far beyond the quarterback. Over the past three seasons, the Giants have been outscored 254-100 in first quarters, the worst differential in the NFL during that span. Slow starts, both in games and seasons, have become a hallmark of Daboll’s tenure, and ownership will demand answers.
What’s Next for the Giants?
The next 24-48 hours will determine Daboll’s fate. While he expressed confidence in his process and relationships with ownership, the numbers — both on the scoreboard and in the standings — paint a bleak picture.
“Three wins is not good enough, so there’s a lot of work to be done,” Daboll admitted.
That work may fall to a new head coach if the Giants’ ownership decides it’s time for a fresh start after a historic failure. One thing is certain: The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on in East Rutherford.
