Being a head coach in the NFL these days is not an easy job. In fact, it’s one where the stress level is very high and the survival rate is very low.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is learning that firsthand. In his third season on the job, Daboll’s regular-season record is 17-26-1 (2-8 this season), and his seat is beginning to get hot despite reassurances from ownership.
This week, Daboll had to finally make the decision to bench starting quarterback Daniel Jones, a move that was not a surprise given how the Giants’ season has unfolded.
Jones is basically done as a Giant and that may not sit well with some of his teammates. Jones is the longest-tenured player on the Giants roster along with wide receiver Darius Slayton and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who were also selected by the Giants in the 2019 NFL draft.
Lawrence said publicly that he feels Jones is the best quarterback on the team, calling Jones his ‘best friend’.
“(Daboll) just said it was a hard decision,” Lawrence said. “I’m sure it’s hard. He’s the QB1. To me, the best quarterback on the team. But they see things differently. I guess that’s all that matters.”
On Wednesday, Daboll spoke about the backlash over Jones’ benching.
“I got a lot of respect for Dex. Dex has been a teammate of Daniel’s for a while. There’s a pretty good relationship with there,” he told reporters. “Look, everybody’s not going to agree with the decision, and I understand that. We make the decision we feel is best and then we move forward and get ready to go for practice here.”
Daboll is certain there is no friction between him and Lawrence but understands why he feels the way he does.
“Dex and I have a good relationship, and I respect Dex a great deal. We were just talking a little while ago, not about that. But again, everybody’s going to have certain opinions. I got a lot of respect for all our players,” he said. “I think we’re focused, we’ll be focused, and do what we need to do to play our best against Tampa.”
Losing the locker room is a death knell for a head coach. Daboll was asked if he expects to lose the locker room if the team thinks he’s starting someone who’s ‘not as good’ as another option.
“No, I got a lot of confidence in our locker room. We got a close-knit group,” he said. “Obviously, not where we want to be with the record, but I have a lot of confidence in the players and the coaches and the chemistry that we have.”
The Giants have seven games remaining in this season. Jones is likely done even though the team hasn’t said as much. That decision will come on Friday.
Daboll is in a tough spot, though. If he continues to lose, he could be fired. If he wins too many games down the stretch, he could lessen the Giants’ chance at a top quarterback in next April’s draft.
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