Often times, before a season begins NFL coaches and general managers set expectations for the year ahead, and put on a positive spin on what fans can expect.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen seems to be taking a different approach.
Meeting with the media on Thursday, Schoen was asked about the expectations for the upcoming season, and rather than put that positive spin on things, he was much more straight-forward in his approach:
Giants GM Joe Schoen on expectations for this season: “We’re just trying to get through today.
“The situation we’re in is the situation. It’s the hand we were dealt. We’re going to do the best we can.” pic.twitter.com/4RaAPq3dIa
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) September 1, 2022
Schoen’s comments likely reflect the reality in New York. The Giants declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Daniel Jones, and could be in the market for a quarterback in the upcoming draft class. Schoen inherited a roster that needed upgrades at a number of different positions, yet one of his first tasks was to clear around $40 million in cap space so the Giants could be in position to sign their draft class:
The Giants have to either fix Daniel Jones or replace him in 2023, and Schoen told me Saturday he’ll have to clear out $40 million from a bloated and mismanaged salary cap this spring.
“When we first got to Buffalo,” said Schoen, “we had $55 million in dead cap money we had to manage. We had a plan there, and we’ll have one here. We may have to make some decisions that hurt, but I do not want to kick the can down the road with the cap. I want to get it fixed.”
This is the hand Schoen was dealt, and he’s dealing with it the best he can. But the season ahead could be a long one for the Giants.