New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is “hanging on by a thread” as his 0-2 team seeks its first victory of the season Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, per a report for Sportskeeda from NFL insider Tony Pauline.
Pauline reported Friday that a source that Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who was heavily criticized for his handling of the Giants’ overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, are under fire.
Pauline, known mostly for his NFL Draft insights, wrote:
The mood in the locker room has changed from trying to stay upbeat to the realization that the team must win, and win soon, or both could be out the door before the season ends.
Pauline also reported that a lopsided loss to the Chiefs on Sunday could cause the insertion of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart into the lineup for Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Pauline added that “the saving grace for Daboll could be Jaxson Dart playing competitive football once inserted into the lineup then showing progress on the field.”
Valentine’s View
I was in that locker room on Thursday and I am not sure Pauline’s characterization is entirely accurate. I have been in enough losing Giants’ locker rooms to know what it feels like when a team knows a season is lost. I did not sense that kind of resignation during my time around the players on Thursday. The room didn’t seem jovial or happy, but I did not sense that it was already defeated.
There have been some instances — on both sides of the ball — of players questioning what they have been asked to do. That does raise my antenna somewhat.
The Giants are now 9-27 since making the playoffs in Daboll’s first year as head coach. They are 1-13 in their last 14 games. Since a 6-1 start in 2022, the Giants are 12-33-1.
What do I think is going to happen?
I could absolutely see Daboll scapegoating Bowen and firing him if the defense continues to struggle. I don’t know who would be elevated from the staff to finish the season, but that would be a classic desperation move from a coach under fire.
I also don’t believe the Giants would fire Daboll without getting an extended look at Dart first. If the Giants reach 0-4, it should not surprise anyone if Dart is the starting quarterback by Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints.
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