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New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman was extremely active in free agency, signing several players to long-term, big-money deals.
That aggressive approach continued during the 2021 NFL draft as Gettleman completed three trades — two back and one up — while also stockpiling future draft assets for the team.
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All told, Gettleman has put the franchise in a good place moving forward, which is an interesting approach for a man clearly on the hot seat. It’s win now or go home, yet Gettleman continues to put the future interests of the Giants first.
That’s just who he is, says Scouting Academy director Dan Hatman.
“I think this is the thing that people don’t want to admit or don’t want to take into consideration with him. What he says is what he means. This isn’t a cover, this isn’t a facade he puts forth for people. He believes there’s a way to conduct business, he honestly believes every move he makes is in the best interests of the organization,” Hatman told Big Blue View.
“I bet if you asked him about this he’d say I put what was best for the organization on the table. If we lose, I’ll bow out with grace … but this is what’s best for the team. He’s not someone that’s going to put himself above the team. That’s just never been my experience with him. He’s going to put whatever he thinks is best for the organization first, and whatever happens after that he’ll take it in stride because that was the decision he made.”
Hatman’s adds that Gettleman’s approach is that of “a guy that doesn’t feel like he’s on the hot seat.”
“If you’re going to move all that capital into next year you do it under the assumption that I’m going to be using that capital next year. Otherwise, I don’t think you see that,” Hatman said. “To watch Dave shift capital into next year, I’m not saying he has assurances of getting his job back but he’s not playing scared as if he’s not going to have his job. He’s just doing what he thinks is best.”
It’s a conclusion many others had also reached — Gettleman is making moves like someone with known job security. But that’s also not the case. The 70-year-old is very much fighting for his job, but that doesn’t mean he’ll put himself above the team.
Whether Gettleman survives in 2022 or not, it’s extremely admirable that he continues to make decisions in the best interest of the Giants.