NEW YORK — John Mara unequivocally said Wednesday that the Giants aren’t pursuing Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
“We’re not trading for Deshaun Watson,” Mara said, citing the more than 20 women who have accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits. “There’s so many reasons why we wouldn’t do that. For cap reasons we couldn’t afford it but more importantly with the allegations that are out there, it’s just not the right thing for us.”
Mara and new GM Joe Schoen also strongly endorsed Daniel Jones as their team’s 2022 quarterback even before hiring a head coach.
“We do feel that Daniel can play,” Mara said. “We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here. We keep changing coaches, keep changing offensive coordinators, keep changing offensive line coaches. I take a lot of responsibility for that.
“But let’s bring in the right group of coaches now, give him some continuity, try to rebuild the offensive line and then be able to make an intelligent evaluation of whether he can be the franchise quarterback or not,” Mara added. “I have a lot of hope in Daniel. I know how badly he wants it. I know (how) the players feel about him. So we are certainly not giving up on him by any stretch of the imagination.”
Schoen also said: “We’ll build an offense around Daniel to accentuate what he does best.”
The GM said he would wait until hiring a head coach before deciding on whether to pick up Jones’ fifth year option for 2023, a decision the Giants have to make by May.
Now according to sources, the Giants saying no to Deshaun Watson does not rule out Brian Flores as a Giants head coaching candidate. The idea Flores had to have Watson was not true.
He did advocate for him in Miami, and quarterback is important to him and all candidates. But Flores is still very much in play. His interview is Thursday morning at the Giants’ facility.
The Giants were set to interview defensive coordinator Pat Graham for the head coaching vacancy on Wednesday after Schoen’s introductory press conference.
