Tag: Joe Schoen

Giants nightmare season ends with Saquon Barkley hoisting Lombardi Trophy for Philly

The New York Giants’ pathetic and embarrassing season came to an end on Sunday with Eagles RB Saquon Barkley hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

The 2024 season is finally, officially, and mercifully over for the New York Giants.

What was supposed to be a celebration of their 100th season in the NFL turned into a debilitating nightmare fraught with losing, failure, and relentless embarrassment.

From start to finish, it was a recurring slap to the face that persisted until the literal final second when running back Saquon Barkley, the former No. 2 overall pick and six-year face of the franchise, celebrated his birthday by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy… for the Philadelphia Eagles.

After general manager Joe Schoen dug in his heels and let Barkley walk over a reported $1.5 million, the veteran back did the unthinkable. He signed with their chief NFC East rivals, much to the sickening disdain of Giants co-owner John Mara, who lost more sleep than he’d care to admit.

Not only did Barkley jet for Philadelphia, but he also rushed for over 2,000 yards during the regular season, catapulting himself into MVP consideration and winning Offensive Player of the Year.

That dominance continued throughout the playoffs and Super Bowl, as Barkley toppled Terrell Davis’ long-standing single-season rushing record (postseason included) of 2,476 yards.

By every mark and measure, it was the greatest season for a running back in NFL history. And that’s just so pathetically fitting for the Giants, who have become the NFL’s laughingstock.

If it could have gone wrong for the Giants in 2024, it did. And there’s very little hope they will suddenly find their footing and turn things around in 2025.

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Ex-Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy takes swipe at Giants’ Joe Schoen

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy took unprovoked aim at New York Giants GM Joe Schoen when asked about the team’s next QB.

Who is going to start at quarterback for the New York Giants in 2025?

It’s a fair question and a rather mundane one at that, but it’s also one many struggle to answer. That’s why when NJ Advance Media asked 17 experts, they got roughly 10 different answers.

While most stayed on point, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy veered a bit off-topic. He took the opportunity to throw shade at Giants general manager Joe Schoen instead.

“Shoot, I don’t know, you’ve got to ask the Giants that. Though I don’t know if their GM makes the best decisions,” McCoy said.

It’s a warranted criticism but one that has become a bit tired. Schoen has clearly struggled when making some personnel decisions, especially at the quarterback decision, but that’s not what McCoy was referencing.

Like many others, including future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, McCoy was knocking Schoen over his decision to let running back Saquon Barkley walk via free agency (and maybe a little bit over the Daniel Jones contract).

These criticisms show no sign of slowing down and will likely persist until the Giants finally turn a corner and find success or Schoen is fired alongside head coach Brian Daboll.

What comes first is the next question that should be asked.

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Giants hiring Jeff Burris as assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach

The New York Giants are set to hire Jeff Burris as their assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach.

The New York Giants continue to make offseason adjustments in an effort to get this team back to winning games, and the most recent adjustment is the hiring of Jeff Burris as their new assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach.

Burris played for Notre Dame in the early 90s before being drafted into the NFL by the Buffalo Bills. He played 10 seasons in the NFL, making stops in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and New England.

He began coaching in 2011, spending two years at the collegiate level before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2013. It was there that Burris met Joe Schoen. The two coached in Miami together for two seasons before Burris went back to the college level, where he’s spent the last nine years.

As a former professional player, Burris can connect with the Giants secondary in a way that not many coaches can, especially since Burris was a defensive back. That he’s worked with Schoen in the past means he likely knows what to expect and agrees with how Schoen does things.

The Giants still have a ton of work to do this offseason, but getting the right coaches in place is a big part of getting this team back on track.

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Malik Nabers wants Giants to sign capable veteran QB this offseason

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers had a ton of praise for Cam Ward but wants the team to sign an experienced veteran QB this offseason.

One of the few bright spots in the New York Giants’ otherwise disappointing year was rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Nabers’ strong rookie campaign quickly made him one of the foundational pieces for the Giants to build around. What comes next and how they compile a roster around him is extremely important.

During a Wednesday appearance on PFT Live, Nabers addressed the team’s quarterback situation and what he’d like to see general manager Joe Schoen do this offseason.

“I would want to have a vet in there,” Nabers said. “If we decide to pick a rookie, in my eye I would want a vet to be in that same room with that rookie teaching him some stuff so when he’s out there — he’s not just out there in his head [thinking] he has to be the savior of this team. That’s a lot to put on a rookie.”

The Giants currently hold the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and it’s unknown if they would have to trade up to land one of the top two quarterbacks, or if they prioritize either Cam Ward or Shedduer Sanders.

Asked about the rookie class, Nabers said he had “no preference” but then shrouded Ward with praise.

“He’s comfortable when he’s back there,” Nabers said, via the New York Post. “He throws the ball in spots you’re not really supposed to throw the ball but he has a crazy arm talent. He’s mobile. I’ve seen him come back from some games [where] I’m like, ‘Nah, this game’s over with’ and he’s just dottin’. He’s very efficient. He has crazy arm talent.

“I feel like he’s a leader that wants to bring people along to win. I mean, you look at that Miami team through the years, without him their record wasn’t like that. You bring a guy like that on the team, you know, the record shows what kind of leader he is, what kind of quarterback he is. Having that on a team, that’s what you need.”

While the Giants may hope to land a long-term solution at quarterback in the draft, general manager Joe Schoen has also left a door open for a veteran quarterback.

The Giants will have plenty of veteran quarterbacks to look into this offseason via free agency or trade, including Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Sam Darnold, and Jameis Winston.

In a perfect world, the Giants would have a veteran quarterback come in and groom a young quarterback. However, if they miss out on a quarterback in the draft and select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead, they suddenly become a very desirable destination for a QB given the young wide receiver talent between Nabers and Hunter.

In a crucial offseason for a current regime that Giants owner John Mara chose to retain following a three-win season, it’s going to be very interesting to see how they end up addressing the quarterback position.

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Victor Cruz urges Giants to draft ‘game-changer’ Travis Hunter

Retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz believes the team should target WR/DB Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL draft, not a QB.

Following one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the New York Giants will select third overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

While the Giants’ priority is getting a quarterback this offseason, it is not a foregone conclusion that general manager Joe Schoen will go in that direction with their first-round pick, especially if they do not trade up.

Former Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl champion, Victor Cruz, thinks the team might be better off targeting Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a unique talent who can play on both sides of the ball.

“Bring in a game changer like Travis Hunter, who can be your Swiss Army knife on the field, both offensively and defensively, and then build our roster around him,” Cruz told FOX 5 New York.

“Next year we’ve got to go all in on Arch Manning. I think New York City would be thrilled about it. It would rejuvenate the New York-New Jersey area and hopefully put some wins in the win column for us as well,”

Hunter is the non-quarterback who has been connected to the Giants most in mock drafts.

In Cruz’s scenario, the Giants kick the quarterback of the future down the line to next year’s draft where they could target Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of two-time Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning.

It would be risky for the Giants to pass on a quarterback as there would be no guarantee they would be picking this high again. On the other hand, with the Giants’ schedule set to be very challenging in 2025, it’s possible they could pick in the top five again in the 2026 draft.

Hunter would join Malik Nabers, who seems to be a star in the making at the wide receiver position. And, if the Giants choose to play him on defense as well, Hunter could fill a much-needed void at cornerback following Deonte Banks’ disappointing sophomore campaign.

The combination of Nabers and Hunter would be a heck of a pair at wide receiver — something the Giants haven’t really seen since the duel threat of Hakeem Nicks and coincidentally, Victor Cruz.

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Joe Schoen on Giants’ offense in 2025: ‘Cupboard’s not bare’

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen says contrary to popular belief, the team has a very solid offensive structure and adequate depth.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen believes his team has a solid offensive structure. All he needs now is a quarterback to run it.

“The way we built our roster, four of our five starting offensive linemen coming back,” Schoen said in an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio at the Senior Bowl this week. “In Malik Nabers, you have a No. 1 receiver on the roster. Young tight end that was really promising this year in Theo Johnson. And Tyrone Tracy. The cupboard’s not bare offensively.”

Schoen is correct. The Giants have been solidifying the offensive line and adding weapons at the skill positions since Scheon took over the reins in 2022.

Schoen had a great draft last season with Nabers, Johnson, and Tracy but unfortunately, his track record in his first two seasons has fallen short.

Schoen added what he thought were cornerstone pieces in the draft: center John Michael Schmitz and right tackle Evan Neal. The jury is still out on both players, and Neal is getting very close to bust status.

Wide receiver Wan’dale Robinson has become a reliable short-yardage option but Jalin Hyatt has been a disappointment thus far. Tight end Daniel Bellinger and running back Eric Gray have been pushed down the depth chart by Johnson and Tracy, respectively.

The need for a quarterback is of the utmost importance and urgency. Schoen realizes he only has one under contract (Tommy DeVito) and explained that the team will use all available avenues to fill the quarterback room this offseason — the draft, free agency, and even a possible trade.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll details what he wants in next quarterback

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll explains what he wants out of his next quarterback, whether it’s a veteran or a rookie.

The New York Giants are in the market for a quarterback this offseason and based solely on the numbers game, will need to add at least two and likely three.

How they acquire those quarterbacks remains to be seen but all options are open, says general manager Joe Schoen. That includes a potential trade for a veteran or use of the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

However the Giants ultimately decide to approach the position, head coach Brian Daboll has a very specific list of qualities he’d like to see in his next starting quarterback.

“You look for accuracy,” Daboll said, via the Bergen Record. “It’s leadership; it’s accuracy.”

Finding leadership and accuracy requires a significant amount of work. Not only will the Giants meet with most of the rookie quarterback class, but they will also watch a seemingly endless amount of film on both veterans and prospects.

“You watch all the games,” Daboll said. “It’s not a cut-up of games where you’re looking at whether it’s targets or run blocks, you’re watching everything and seeing how they respond. How do they respond in two-minute situations? How they respond after an interception? What’s the playbook like after a few bad plays or a few incompletions?

“Again, there’s no exact science in it. It’s obvious that there isn’t. You do the best job you can.”

For Daboll, it’s a process he enjoys.

“I love doing it. I love evaluating quarterbacks; I love meeting with the quarterbacks,” he said. “It’s an awesome position to work with and it’s a really fun position to evaluate.”

Over his first three seasons with the Giants, Daboll’s evaluations have arguably come up short. The team went all-in on Daniel Jones, misread the room with Tyrod Taylor, and later settled on Drew Lock. There was a moment of success with Tommy DeVito, but that was short-lived.

Both Schoen and Daboll have run out of chances. They’re on the last of their nine lives and if they get the quarterback wrong here in 2025, they will be out of jobs in 2026.

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‘Strong sentiment’ that Giants will return play-calling duties to Mike Kafka

If he doesn’t land the Saints job, there is a “strong sentiment” that the New York Giants will return play-calling duties to Mike Kafka.

New York Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is a finalist for the New Orleans Saints job but if he doesn’t get it, he can expect additional responsibility in East Rutherford next season.

Should Kafka return to the Giants in 2025, there is a “strong sentiment” in the building that head coach Brian Daboll will return play-calling duties to him, reports Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

There is strong sentiment inside the Giants building for head coach Brian Daboll to give up the play-calling duties, and that sentiment has nothing to do with co-owner John Mara recently mentioning Daboll should at least consider doing that for the 2025 season.

There is a feeling that by handing that responsibility back to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Daboll would be in a better position to manage the entire team — sitting in on defensive meetings and expanding his focus to make sure small details do not fall through the cracks.

Daboll had stripped Kafka of play-calling duties multiple times throughout the 2023 season and then outright in 2024. The former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator assumed that role but the Giants’ offense regressed.

With Kafka as the full-time play-caller in 2022, the Giants’ offense ranked 15th in points and 18th in yards. In 2023, those rankings dipped to 30th in points and 29th in yards.

Under Daboll as the full-time play-caller in 2024, the Giants offense ranked 31st in points and 30th in yards.

If Kafka does get hired in New Orleans, the Giants will have to pivot but general manager Joe Schoen admits he “selfishly hopes” that does not happen.

“Very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities,” Schoen said on Tuesday. “So, selfishly, I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he’s well-deserving. (He’s) a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”

The Saints could make their decision as early as Wednesday.

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Giants are ‘open to anything’ in the 2025 NFL draft

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen says he’s “open to anything” in the 2025 NFL draft, including passing on quarterbacks.

For NFL front offices and general managers, this week is the official launch of the offseason process with both the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl on tap.

Free agency will be here in six weeks and the 2025 NFL draft six weeks after that. That may seem like a long time to work with, but it goes fast.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who has the No. 3 overall selection in the draft, was in Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday for the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl and, as always, told the media he was keeping his options open in the upcoming draft.

“We’re going to be open to anything,” Schoen said, via Giants.com. “We’re in a good position sitting at three with the players that are available. By process of elimination, we know we’re going to get a good player. Regardless of what happens the next couple of months, we know there’s going to be a really good player there.”

Over the weekend, Schoen was in Arlington, Texas, the site of this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, and met with several of their year’s top quarterback prospects, most notably, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

“He’s a great kid, he’s a great kid, a really good personality, football smart, his dad (Deion Sanders) is a football coach,” said Schoen. “It’s a little bit cliché, but he checks all the boxes of a (player with a) dad that is a football coach and the passion that he approaches the game with.

“It was good getting to meet him. He’s had a really good career at Colorado and obviously looking forward to getting to knowing all those guys in the rest of the process.”

The Giants also have approximately $53 million in available cap space to use in free agency this March, so Schoen has a lot of ammunition to turn his 3-14 club around.

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Giants’ Joe Schoen ‘selfishly hopes’ to retain Mike Kafka

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen says he “selfishly hopes” Mike Kafka doesn’t get a head coaching job and remains in East Rutherford.

On Tuesday, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he hopes that assisted head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka doesn’t get hired away by another NFL team this offseason.

Kafka is one of six candidates being considered for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy.

It has become a yearly ritual for Kafka, who has interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans in the past two offseasons but with no luck.

“There’s a reason these teams continue to interview him for head coaching jobs,” Schoen said during his media session at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday. “He’s got a great reputation not only in our building but around the league.

“A former player who played quarterback, came up under Andy Reid, called plays in a playoff season in his first year as an offensive coordinator, very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities. So, selfishly, I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he’s well-deserving. (He’s) a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”

Kafka was elevated to assistant head coach by Brian Daboll last season but was stripped of the offensive play-calling duties. The Giants’ offense was a disaster and co-owner John Mara has mildly suggested that perhaps Daboll should relinquish the responsibility this season.

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