Daboll says “everything has got to be better when you win three games”
“We’re moving on here to ‘25.”
Yes, we are. And the fact that Brian Daboll, who spoke those words, is moving on to 2025 as head coach of the New York Giants for a fourth season after two horrific seasons could be considered unusual in a league where patience is spoken about but not often exercised.
Daboll, as described by co-owner John Mara, made his pitch to ownership on Friday to retain his job. Mara and Steve Tisch, not happy about the results of the last two years, liked enough of what they heard to allow Daboll to carry on.
Typically reticent in his dealings with the media, Daboll wasn’t sharing details of his plan when he met with reporters on Monday afternoon.
“We got a lot of work to do and that’s what we plan on doing,” he said. “What I talk about with John [Mara] is private. We had a long conversation about a lot of different things.”
Daboll did say there were “a lot of things” the organization needs to look at after the team went 3-14 in 2024, a year after going just 6-11.
“We didn’t play well enough and didn’t coach well enough,” Daboll said. “I would say everything has got to be better when you win three games.
“We’re going to have to do a good job this offseason in improving in a lot of areas.”
The quarterback question
Mara, in his own scrum with the press, was clear what he wants to see addressed. He said the “number one issue” is finding the right quarterback.
So, what does that look like? Short, of course, of importing Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills?
“I’d say there’s a lot of things. I’m not going to get into all the particulars,” Daboll said. “They got to be a good football player, got to be accurate, good decision maker, good in critical situations, good in two-minute (situations), good in the red zone, leadership, a lot of different things.”
Daboll simply said “yeah” when it was mentioned that players who do all of those things are not easy to find.
Daboll was non-committal about whether he preferred a veteran quarterback or a highly-drafted rookie, especially considering Mara’s statement that it “better not take too long” for the Giants to get things turned around.
“I’d say we will pursue anything we think can make us better,” Daboll said. “The NFL is usually a one-year deal anyway. So, we’ll do everything we can do to be much better than we were this year.”
Daboll deflected when asked if he thought his future was tied to getting the right quarterback.
“I’m focused on today. I just found out we’re going to be able to stay,” he said. “So, got a lot of work to do and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Calling the plays
Mara, of course, questioned whether Daboll should be calling the offensive plays.
Daboll offered a confusing answer when asked about Mara seemingly wanting the head coach to delegate play calling.
“I brought that up. I brought that up to him in the meeting. Again, there’s no decision that’s been made. We’ll sit back and take a look at everything and do what we need to do,” Daboll said, then later seemed to reconsider that timeline. “Maybe he asked the question. It was a good conversation, it was a long conversation.”
Less than 24 hours after the season ended, Daboll was nowhere near ready to commit to anything regarding 2025.
“We got to do stuff different when you only win three games. So, a lot of things to look at. I’m not prepared to say what I’m going to do or what I’m not going to do 24 hours after the last game.
“I’m not saying I’m giving it up or not giving it up.”
Staff changes
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is already lining up head-coaching interviews. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was placed firmly in the crosshairs by Mara on Monday.
Daboll wasn’t ready to comment on staff changes.
“We just got done with meeting with the players,” he said. “I’ll sit down with all the coaches, and we’ll make the best decisions we can for the football team.
“I got a lot of confidence in the guys that have put the time and effort and energy in. The results were terrible. But we’re moving forward here and we’ll do everything we can do to improve it.”
