The New York Giants are mired in another ugly, losing season, but co-owner John Mara intends to be more patient this time around.
After cycling through multiple regimes in short order following the “resignation” of Tom Coughlin in January of 2016, Mara wants to demonstrate more discipline and be less reactive when it comes to general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
Speaking at a screening of NFL Films’ new documentary, “The Duke: The Giant Life of Wellington Mara,” Mara said he does not anticipate firing Schoen or Daboll at any point this season or in the offseason. He then took things a step further and expressed total faith in the GM-coach duo.
John Mara said he does not anticipate making changes after the season. Part of reason he is committed to Joe Schoen & Brian Daboll — he still has confidence in them. Thinks he has not been patient enough in recent years.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 24, 2024
Mara spoke at a screening of the NFL Films piece The Duke, the Wellington Mara story. Mara said his father preached patience. Part of reason John does not anticipate making changes despite his obvious disappointment with the season.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 24, 2024
Mara refused to comment on quarterback Daniel Jones, instead insisting he was focused on Schoen and Daboll.
When the pair were hired in 2022, it appeared the Giants were headed for a quick turnaround. They finished with a 9-7-1 record and not only made their first playoff appearance since 2016 but picked up their first postseason victory since Super Bowl XLVI.
For his troubles, Daboll was named AP Coach of the Year.
But it’s been all downhill since then. Beginning in Week 11 of that 2022 season, the Giants have compiled an overall record of 10-21-1 (11-22-1 if you include the playoffs) and become an NFL laughingstock. Daboll made national headlines this past offseason over his fallout with former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and oversaw a coordinator and assistant coach exodus.
In 2024, Daboll seized play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who attempted to leave the Giants in a lateral move, and the offense has somehow been even worse. The latest disaster came in Week 7 when the Giants scored just three points in a loss to the Saquon Barkley-led Philadelphia Eagles, which was a nightmare-turned-reality for Mara.
Daboll benched Jones in the fourth quarter of that game hoping to generate a “spark,” but has since recommitted to the quarterback who has an injury clause that could become a major problem in 2025 should he get hurt over the final 11 weeks.
Two poor drafts, terrible personnel decisions, bad play-calling, and constant losing have put the Giants in a terrible spot and it’s worn thin with fans, but Mara is determined to give it at least one more season.
