Did New York Giants co-owner John Mara force quarterback Daniel Jones on general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll?
That is a popular theory among fans who are dismayed with Jones and struggle to understand how he’s survived multiple GMs and coaches, but it may not be one steeped in reality.
Well, at least not entirely.
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that despite Mara’s constant presence in the building, Schoen has been given near complete autonomy as the general manager. He makes the calls and is rarely, if ever, overruled.
“Joe Schoen is in charge,” one team source told Leonard. “It’s not like Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum were with the Jets. No one questions who is in charge in the building. It’s a GM-centric organization. It’s not like Brian Daboll is Bill Belichick, where he’s drafting the players.”
Both Schoen and Daboll have endeared themselves to fans but after an underwhelming 2023 campaign and an ugly offseason of exodus, it’s fair to say they are on thin ice. Continued failure will almost certainly lead to change.
But the pair still have an opportunity to turn things around. And by all accounts, Schoen will have free reign to do exactly that — with Mara and Steve Tisch watching on closely.
“This is still John Mara’s team,” another team source said. “Never forget that. John Mara runs the Giants.”
To save his job, Schoen must fix the offensive line once and for all. He must also find a long-awaited solution to the team’s relentless injury issues.
Maybe a new quarterback is also in his future. Schoen appears to have whiffed after signing Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal that came one year after declining the quarterback’s fifth-year option.
Ultimately, the pressure is on and Schoen’s rope is slowly running out.
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