Consistency is essential in the NFL

Since 2015, the Giants have gone through four coaches (Tom Coughlin, Ben McAdoo, Steve Spagnuolo, Pat Shurmur) and would move onto coach No. 5 if Shurmur were fired.

There have also been two general managers, multiple offensive and defensive systems, a switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4, and a two complete roster overhauls.

That’s a lot of change — too much change.

Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch are consistently reluctant to repeatedly shake up their front office and coaching staff, and for good reason. Throughout history, teams who frequently cycle through GMs, head coaches, quarterbacks and systems remain in a near-endless loop of futility (see: Cleveland Browns).

The Giants don’t want that. The Giants can’t have that.

Most rebuilds take 3-4 years, and while the Giants were adamant that’s not what was occurring in 2019, it’s become abundantly evident that’s exactly what’s happening. Accordingly, Gettleman and Shurmur deserve more than 14 games (since DJ took over at QB) to show results. Even in the age of free agency, it’s difficult to turn things around in the blink of an eye — especially when cleaning up after a very poor GM/head coach combo.

If the Giants were to fire Shurmur and usher in another new head coach, it would be another complete reset. They would want to come in and clean house, building an entirely new staff, introducing new offensive and defensive systems, potentially different schemes and who knows what their demands would be as it relates to personnel.

Would the new coach want DJ at quarterback? Would they want a 3-4 or would they look to reshuffle again and go to 4-3 personnel? Would the new offensive system fit DJ’s style if the head coach retained him?

How much would a head coaching search be limited if the Giants weren’t willing to give up control of personnel? What would that mean if they didn’t want to fire Gettleman? Would they force DJ on a new coach and how would that limit their options?

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to firing Shurmur and ushering in yet another new era, and only one thing is guaranteed: more flux, more rebuilding and level of uncertainty that a new head coach would be any better.

You can only hit reset so many times before you simply have to play out your hand.

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