Seth Weissman asks: 1. Whose decision was it to fire Daboll: Schoen’s or Mara’s?
2. (a) Why do you think Bowen was retained? (b) Do you think he’ll be gone at the end of the season when they Giants select a new head coach?
Ed says: Seth, it was clear from their statement that this was an ownership decision. Whether Joe Schoen made an effort to change the mind of John Mara and Steve Tisch I don’t know.
Why was Bowen retained? Only an educated guess here. Defensive players really do not know Mike Kafka. Before now they only knew him to say hello. They had never dealt with him. Perhaps because of that the feeling was they needed to give players on that side of the ball some form of continuity.
Truthfully, the time to fire Bowen would have been several weeks ago after the loss to the Denver Broncos. Brian Daboll’s lack of willingness to do that had to contribute to him ultimately losing his job.
Nicholas Carratura asks: Schlottmann has been pretty good in relief of Schmitz who is also having his best year so far. Do you think it would make sense to try one of them at guard considering neither of the starting ones are the long term answer and being able to play both Schlottmann and Schmitz would make a lot of financial sense?
Ed says: Nicholas, Schlottman does have guard experience in his past. The last time he spent any significant time there, though, was 2020. That is a long time ago. Besides, going off Pro Football Focus grades Schlottmann has been a decent backup center but was not a good guard.
I do think the Giants need to upgrade — and get younger — at guard next season. I don’t think a Schlottmann/Schmitz duo is the answer.
The Joe Schoen section
Michael George asks: In today’s Giants news Mike Lupica of The Daily News said of Joe Schoen:
“Keeping him could be a deal breaker for the best coaching candidates, too, because what rising star wants to stake his career on a boss who could have one foot out the door?”. Are there any hard data to support his argument? Have there been any “rising stars” who have had successful careers with the so-called “embattled” GM who hired them?
Ed says: Michael, I’m sure there are probably a few guys out there who would want to bring their own GMs. My guess? The Giants have a structure they like, whether it has been successfully recently or not, and that type or hand all the power over to a head coach structure is not the Giants’ preference. It never has been. Not for Bill Parcells. Not for Tom Coughlin. Not for anyone.
I do like the idea of a head coach and GM coming in together and being on the same timeline. But Lupica didn’t do any research to say that it doesn’t work. Les Snead was GM of the Rams for five losing seasons before hiring Sean McVay. George Paton was GM of the Denver Broncos for two losing seasons before hiring Sean Payton. Ryan Poles was GM of the Chicago Bears for three terrible seasons before hiring Ben Johnson, the hottest candidate on the market, last offseason. Jason Licht had one winning season in five years as GM of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he hired Bruce Arians and won a Super Bowl.
If the Giants want Schoen to stay, maybe they give him a contract extension to soothe concerns from some candidates about his job security.
Andrew Martin asks: Do you think the Giants are making a mistake retaining Joe Schoen? In your article the other day, you lay out the pros and cons but don’t express your view. It seems to me that while the talent is better than when he took over, the Giants still lack the amount of elite talent and depth that you would expect 4 years into a GM’s rebuild. Schoen has definitely made his share of mistakes, and his cap management is questionable at best. Why retain him in light of all that, especially if it might complicate the hiring process for a new coach? The only way I can see justifying keeping him is if you think being an NFL GM is a hard job with a steep learning curve (which it certainly is), and he’s shown considerable improvement in the last year or two that makes you think he’s on the cusp of finally being good at the job. Are you seeing this or do you think retaining him is a mistake that won’t provide the change necessary to establish a talented roster and winning culture?
Ed says: Andrew, I will continue to say that if you believe Joe Schoen should lose his job you can absolutely build a viable case to support that argument. I also think that if you believe the Giants have more talent than a 2-8 record would indicate that you probably would want to build a case for Schoen to stay, and you certainly can do that.
I think Schoen gets credit for revamping the Giants front office and scouting staff, and for overseeing a technological upgrade that has made them current. I think the last couple of drafts have been better. I think we can argue about how much credit Schoen should get for Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart, since it is pretty well known that Brian Daboll wanted those players. The flip side of that is that a general manager’s job is to support his coaching staff and give them what they need and want as often as he can.
I am OK with Schoen staying. He has made mistakes, and I hope he has learned from them. Firing him means you are blowing up the entire organizational structure. Again. And probably blowing up the roster and starting another from scratch rebuild. I don’t think the Giants are in a place where that is necessary.
The one thing I do not like is having a GM and head coach on different timelines. As I said above, to avoid that maybe you need to give Schoen an extension that puts him on the same timeline as the new coach.
More on Shane Bowen
Jeffrey Jacobs asks: While I understand the Giants’ decision to retain Schoen as the GM, I disagree with that decision, since he is, in my opinion, as culpable as Daboll for the condition the team is in. What I do NOT understand is the decision to retain Bowen! Going into the season the Giants were looked at as a top-5 defense. The performance on that side of the ball has got to be the biggest disappointment of any single unit in the entire league. Please explain to me how Bowen keeps his job – the only possible explanation I can come up with is the the front office feels there’s no one on the staff who could step into the job – which, if true, is even a bigger indictment of the team and its management than I would have thought possible.
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Robert Goodman asks: If you believe the Giants are justified in keeping Schoen because the talent is better than the results then that is certainly more true of the defense than the offense. The defense has talent but it has been the primary factor in giving up leads and playing poorly. Why keep Bowen now???? Isn’t this hamstringing Kafka? I don’t understand why Daboll kept him. This certainly wasn’t acting in his own self-interest. Perhaps with a better defensive coordinator the Giants wouldn’t have lost to Dallas, Denver and Chicago and Daboll would still have his job. Why did Daboll keep Bowen?
Ed says: Guys, why Brian Daboll kept Bowen is a question only he can answer. And, he isn’t going to at this point. He probably should have moved on from Bowen last offseason when John Mara gave him an off-ramp by criticizing the defense. He might still have a job if he had replaced Bowen after the Denver debacle.
Why hasn’t Kafka replaced the defensive coordinator? I don’t know this for certain, but as I said above the defensive players have no real working relationship with Kafka. Perhaps the organization decided that changing the head was enough upheaval for one week, and that changing the defensive coordinator would make it even more uncomfortable for the players on that side of the ball.
John Dunleavy asks: When a coach is let go, are they allowed the week to gather their things, say their goodbyes, etc. or are they escorted out of the building the same day? I would think maybe this would depend on the relationship between coach/front office is at the time of the departure.
Ed says: John, no, they aren’t given a week. Or even a few days. Brian Daboll was fired on Monday, had his key card revoked, said his goodbyes to as many people as he could and was escorted to his truck. How awkward would it be if he was still around the building while coaches and players were going about their business?
There was a weird period of time after Tom Coughlin was let go where he reportedly used to go into the Giants facility and hang around. I’m sure that was tolerated only because of how beloved he was and what he meant to the franchise. That eventually stopped, but while it went on it could not have been easy for Ben McAdoo or any of Coughlin’s former players.
The Mike Kafka section
Ridge Kennedy asks: I think it’s going to be very interesting to see what happens with Kafka stepping up. I’m sure that there will be lots of interviews and such, but I think Kafka has a very good shot at being named the next HC (unless it was him who insisted on dialing up the quarterback runs).
Kafka’s been in the building and close to Schoen for a long time now. It’s plausible that he pulled the trigger on Daboll just to give Kafka a chance to audition. I think, deep down inside, the GM and ownership would like to reduce the “wholesale change” drama.
With seven games to use as an audition, Kafka will really have an opportunity to show the team what he’s got. That, at a minimum, will make the games more interesting while we wait to see how high we can get in the draft.
You’ve been around Kafka. What do you — more than think — kinda feel. Kafka’s obviously spent some time with ownership so he is, in at least that sense, a known commodity.
Your thoughts?
Ed says: Ridge, the Giants know Kafka pretty well. The organization liked him enough to prevent him from interviewing for a lateral job as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator. They gave him a raise and added the “assistant head coach” title. The guy has gotten head-coaching interviews each offseason since joining the Giants, so they know he is highly thought of around the league.
I think the thing that I am most curious about, and that I honestly think everyone is curious about, is whether or not Kafka can step out of the shadows, lead a team and be the public face of an organization. That is Kafka’s assignment the next few weeks — prove he has the mettle, and the personality, to be the top dog.
Bob Donnelly asks: Now that Mike Kafka has been named the interim head coach he will have eight weeks (seven games) at the helm to show the football world what he can do.
Joe Schoen has been asked to lead the search for the Giants next head coach.
I’m not sure how often an interim head coach is retained/earns the HC position.
In your view what are the scenarios where Mr. Kafka is with the Giants in 2026?
If he is not named the head coach do you think he will be allowed to interview for OC positions with other teams, or will he have to wait until the new HC names his OC?
Ed says: Bob, I talked a little about that in my last answer. Obviously, wins and losses will have something to do with it. What happens if and when the Giants get into some of these situations where they have been blowing games? Can he guide them to victories? Does he maintain composure under stress? Can he lead an entire team? Can he show the ability/willingness to hold players accountable.
From 2000-2024, 49 coaches were fired midseason, per Pro Football Rumors. Twelve of the interim head coaches who took over (24.5%) have been given the full-time job for the following season.
I don’t know what Kafka’s contract situation is. If he is still under contract, they could block him from interviewing for lateral offensive coordinator jobs. I would think, though, they would set him free if they don’t give him the full-time gig.
Gene Kramer asks: I have read that Mike Kafka is considered a minority head coach candidate. If true, would the Giants get a 3rd round pick if he is hired as their permanent head coach?
Ed says: Gene, yes, Kafka is considered a minority candidate because his mother is Puerto Rican. No, they would not get a third-round pick. You get that draft pick if the coach is hired away by someone else, not if you promote him yourself.
Karl Oltz asks: First, now that Kafka is the interim head coach can he replace coaches/coordinators on the staff if he feels that is the best thing to do for the team or doesn’t the interim head coach have that authority?Second, if Schoen decides to make Kafka the permanent head coach, does the Rooney rule still apply since this would basically be a promotion from within the organization?
Ed says: Karl, my understanding is that, yes, Mike Kafka can replace coaches on the staff if he feels that is needed. I would think there would be a discussion with GM Joe Schoen and careful consideration given to any change. The Rooney Rule would apply if the Giants wanted to make Kafka the full-time head coach. They would have to go through the process.
Christopher Scanlon asks: Do you think Kafka is likely to affect the defense? If so, how?kind of a follow up question in the case that Kafka may not be in a position to impact the defense much– imagining that Kafka could somehow get rid of Bowen, with a different coordinator, do you think we might get more out of the rookies? Free agents? Hyatt? Nubin? Any of the other underperforming defensive players?
Ed says: Christopher, Kafka will have input on defense. He said this week he has spent a lot of time this week meeting with Shane Bowen to go over what he likes and doesn’t like. As a former NFL quarterback, though not a successful one, he has a different perspective. He will have some impact. It doesn’t look like Bowen is going anywhere, for now.
As for the personnel questions, it will be interesting to see who gains and loses playing time and which players react well/poorly to the change.
Raymond Dansereau asks: Dart is now likely to have had 3 separate head coaches within two years? How does this not fall under the category of “we did everything possible to mess this kid up”? The Giants have a brutal schedule, injuries to key players, and the players don’t seem to have quit. Judge got til the end of the year and his players quit on him. Why doesn’t Daboll get at least to the end of the year?
Ed says: Raymond, there comes a point where you have to look at a situation that isn’t working and say “there’s no point in going any further.” I think that is the point the Giants reached with Daboll.
Daboll blamed Wink Martindale. While there was fault on both sides in that relationship, his inability to co-exist with Martindale is something the Giants are still paying for. He blamed Daniel Jones. He wanted his quarterback. He got him and the Giants are still 2-8 for the third straight year. I’m sure he would blame the loss of Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo this year.
Sorry, but I don’t want to hear about brutal schedule. The Giants have blown double-digit leads in four games, including two where they led in the final four minutes. Tough schedule or not, the Giants should be 6-4. For the third straight year, they were not prepared to play good football in a season opener. The San Francisco 49ers were beatable, and the Giants could not get that done.
At some point, the realization had to reach ownership that Daboll was never going to learn to control his emotions and that he just doesn’t seem to have the personality to be a head coach.
Judge got until the end of his final season because with two weeks left in that second year it looked like he was going to stay for a third year. Then, he melted down, lost his team and embarrassed the franchise. They are vastly different situations.
As for Jaxson Dart, the Giants have got to get the next hire right. They have the guy in place who should lead them for the next decade, and they need to take advantage of it.
John Foti asks: Ever since the Giants pushed out Tom Coughlin it seems like there have been issues with the coaching staff.
I don’t remember McAdoo’s coaching staff but we know that John Mara was not thrilled about the staff Pat Shurmur assembled. Joe Judge almost came to blows with his offensive line coach Marc Colombo. Martindale had to be let go because the case could be made that he was insubordinate and that was just one of several issues with Daboll’s coaching staff. All these Giant head coaches had little or no experience as a head coach.
Is that an underlying issue that might affect the selection of the next Giant head coach?
Ed says: John, each situation is different. I don’t think Ben McAdoo or Pat Shurmur had the credibility to make top assistant coaching candidates with options want to work for them. Joe Judge hired a staff full of cronies, was saddled with Jason Garrett and couldn’t along with Marc Colombo, one of the few guys he hired from outside his circle. Daboll hired a fantastic staff in 2022, and from all accounts it was his own treatment of that staff that drove many of them away.
I think that if you hire a coach who has well-established credibility around the league, or even the right first-timer who is looked at as a rising star, people will want to hitch their wagon to him.
Bob Brodman asks: Ed, we all know that Kafka has been the Giants OC since 2022 and he is highly-regarded as a potential HC around the league, but he was also given the title of Assistant Head Coach (AHC) last year. Maybe that is a title in name only and he’s probably been 100% focused on game prep for the offense during the regular season. But in that role of AHC do you have any insight if he has been involved with defense and special teams in the offseason evaluations, OTA, and training camp that can help his transition from OC to HC?
Ed says: Bob, Kafka said on Wednesday that he was not a part of meetings outside the offense in his role as offensive coordinator. He is spending a lot of time getting up to speed on that. He will have input, particularly on defense. He also said on Wednesday that he will share what he likes — and I would also think, does not like — with DC Shane Bowen.
Ronald Buchheim asks: Ed, everyone is moaning about the Giants, but without their 3 bizarre fourth quarter collapses, they could be five and five, despite an extremely difficult schedule. Instead of focusing on the collapses, why not focus on the fact that the underdog Giants were beating three winning teams until the very last minutes or seconds? And they’ve defeated some strong teams, including the Super Bowl champion eagles. They did all this without their best player, Malik Nabers, their second best middle linebacker, Micah McFadden, and now Cam Skattebo. I think all this bodes well for next year when the injured players return. Do you agree that the giants may be a lot better than their record indicates?
Ed says: Ronald, I do think the Giants should be better than 2-8. Ownership apparently agrees, which is why Brian Daboll no longer has a job. However, until they win those games that is the type of team that they are.
I do, honestly, believe the future should be bright. If the Giants find the right coach to take them into that future.
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