How could the Giants keep Joe Schoen after Previous Offseason Blunders?
Giants Owner John Mara and GM Joe Schoen via Vincent Carchietta/USA Today
With the 2024 inaugural season of Hardknocks' Offseason edition came one of the biggest surprises in free agency. Giants GM Joe Schoen allowed RB Saquon Barkley to sign with the NFC East Rival Philadelphia Eagles. Almost a year later, Saquon Barkley hoisted the Lombardi trophy as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 40-22 blowout win. It was highlighted on Hard Knocks that Joe Schoen received a call from Barkley's agent, Ed Berry, regarding his free agency status. Barkley opted to give the Giants a chance to match the offer, but when Schoen heard the offer, he immediately backed out. Schoen put himself in this decision after choosing to re-sign QB Daniel Jones, a year prior, to a 4-year, $160M contract worth $40M per year rather than re-sign Saquon Barkley to a long-term contract instead of franchise tagging him. Jones was released in the middle of this past season, and now the Giants have yet another hole to fill.
In the Big Apple comes big pressure, especially when you work for a prestigious franchise like the New York Giants. This begs me to ask, how could John Mara allow Joe Schoen to continue as the active GM after making so many bad decisions? Personally, I don't think the term "bad decisions" is enough to describe the blunders Schoen has executed. Schoen has failed to recruit high-caliber offensive talent, which has led to Daniel Jones being exposed as a bad quarterback. The Giants made their playoff run in 2022 because of their defense and running game. Jones did just enough to give that team the passing game it needed. However, without Saquon, that 2022 playoff run is a myth. With the misses on Evan Neal and Jalin Hyatt and handing out terrible contracts like the 3-year deal for RB Devin Singletary, it's like Schoen isn't listening to those around him. Instead of adding a young quarterback or a veteran to compete seriously with Daniel Jones, he essentially handed him the starting job after a disastrous 2023 season filled with injury and bad play. Although the drafting of WR Malik Nabers and trading for OLB Brian Burns eases the hit and great hits on players like Tyrone Tracy Jr. are a sign of optimism, you have to question is he the right recruiter of talent or is HC Brian Daboll that good of a developer of talent?
The Giants have retained Schoen, and owner John Mara doesn't seem adamant about putting Joe on the hot seat just yet. This is disheartening for Giants fans because somebody who let Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney walk in free agency should not have total job security. There were rumors of a potential trade-up in 2024 to get QB prospects Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or JJ McCarthy. The Giants didn't act on those rumors, and two of them had incredible rookie seasons. Schoen must redeem himself this offseason and give Giants fans hope. Whether it's a trade for Matthew Stafford or JJ McCarthy, signing Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Sam Darnold, or finding the quarterback in the draft. These fans need something. However, a trade for Stafford and drafting Travis Hunter as a WR wouldn't be the worst idea.
This defense is ready to win, and Brian Daboll deserves a real offense to coach. The pressure is on for Giants GM Joe Schoen. Will he deliver?
