Joe Schoen, the general manager of the New York Giants, recently addressed the media regarding the team’s performance and his vision for the future. As the Giants have struggled to find their footing this season, Schoen expressed caution about being overly optimistic while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
Schoen, for his part, took over as GM just under four years ago and has steered this ship through stormy waters ever since. It’s been a long, difficult road this season for him. He’s been faced with the cold hard truth of three straight losses since his interim promotion to replace head coach Brian Daboll. Even after such a loss, Schoen refuses to accept that things can’t get better.
I have to do better. We’re not there,” Schoen said, touting the improvements he must make on the behind-the-scenes front. The Giants currently hold a record of two wins, a stark reminder of the uphill battle they face as they work to rebuild their roster and restore competitiveness.
After looking back on last season, Schoen believed the team was just a few pieces away from competing. He pointed out this potential while they were on their bye week. That conflicting sentiment, though, has dissipated as the 2023 season has blossomed. The new general manager – hired with no NFL experience to fix this mess – is reportedly already making his list of coaching candidates to interview for the job. Clearly, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is getting strong consideration to replace him.
We’re at two wins, Schoen made clear when pressed on how bad things had gotten with the state of the team, emphasizing the need for renewal throughout the organization. He made clear that Kafka would actually be in contention for the head coaching job. He further underscored his commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of making things better.
Despite the challenges, Schoen appears to enjoy some job security as he approaches the conclusion of his fourth season in this role. National ownership has promised to evaluate football operations after this season. While this creates some uncertainty about his future, it’s a testament to their confidence in his leadership.
Schoen’s moves have already drawn some criticism and praise. He adopted cornerback Deonte Financial institutions with his second selection but that select has not produced the predicted benefits so far. Last year, he was lauded for his successful trade for standout edge rusher Brian Burns. The reasoning behind this strategic move was to train the future leaders of their defensive unit.
Additionally, Schoen has made significant strides on the offensive line, which currently ranks in the top half of the league in pass block win rate. This progression is emblematic of his effort to create a strong base for future offensive and defensive game plans.
“I’m better today than I was four years ago when I took this job,” Schoen reflected. He reiterated his commitment to learning from missteps and mistakes in the past and getting better at his job. “As long as you’re learning from those mistakes and you reflect on the process in place and where you went wrong and you continue to get better, that’s what is most important.”
Schoen recognized that decision to take a first-round QB would need a wide organizational consensus. “Anytime you’re going to make a decision on a first-round quarterback, that’s going to be an organizational decision,” he stated.
The next few weeks will be key for Schoen and the Giants as they look to get things back on track. With an open coaching position and a roster that needs further development, Schoen’s leadership will be key in shaping the team’s future direction.
Leave a Reply