One of the major questions hovering over the New York Giants’ head-coaching search, and maybe the general manager job, too, is whether or not those positions would be considered desirable by the best candidates.
The answer seems to be a resounding “yes.”
NFL Network draft insider Daniel Jeremiah posted Monday on ‘X’ that the head coaching position would be “highly coveted.” Jeremiah wrote:
“The NYG HC job is going to be highly coveted. They have a really talented young group. I know offensive names will come up because of Dart but that DL with elite defensive coach would be fun fit.”
Sources Big Blue View spoke with regarding both jobs expressed similar opinions.
A current AFC personnel executive said he would be “excited to build” the Giants from where they currently are.
“I do feel like it’s a good job — good stable ownership in my opinion. Others may not feel that way about ownership but I do and I think within NFL circles most would agree,” the executive said. “They have what could be a franchise QB — injuries are concerning, though. They will have a high pick they can use on the best player available — or even better — they can trade back for a bunch of picks.”
While he likes Jaxson Dart, the AFC executive said getting an extra first-round pick in 2027 would give the Giants insurance.
“They need to get an extra first-round pick for 2027 for QB protection — if they do need one, having two first-rounders would put them in good position to get the QB in 2027.”
Current GM Joe Schoen likes to point to what he views as a plethora of young “pieces” on the roster to build with. The AFC personnel executive agreed.
“They have some talented young players to build on. Look where a team like Cleveland is right now — way worse off than the Giants. Miami as well, they are stuck with Tua [Tagovailoa] and his contract,” he said.
“Ideally for a new head coach/GM — trade back, get more picks, get picks for the 2027 draft. If Dart is your franchise QB, great — if he isn’t or gets injured you have the capital to pick one in 2027. This gives you time to see what you have plus options.
“I would be excited to build it if I took the job.”
Former NFL general manager Jeff Diamond agreed that the Giants would be an attractive place for head coach or GM candidates.
“Yes,” Diamond said. “Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence are a solid nucleus to build around.”
Others agree
Jon Gruden, who of course might want the job, has called it “very desirable” because of Dart.
Shortly after Brian Daboll was fired, NFL analyst Robert Mays of The Athletic listed a number of reasons the job is one many coaches would want. Mays listed:
Patience:
“I think you have an organization that desperately wants to be patient. Desperately wants to be patient. I’m sure it pains them so much to be doing this now,” he says. “If they could give a guy six, seven, eight years to see this next thing through because there’s a level of confidence, I’m sure they would love that.”
Building Blocks:
“They have real players at some of the premium positions that are hardest to find. They have a borderline All-Pro left tackle when he’s healthy (Andrew Thomas), who’s played at an extremely high level since he came back this year. You have a really, really talented receiver (Nabers) who has a torn ACL right now that will be coming back. You have multiple pass rushers,” Mays says. “Like, you have three potential building blocks on the defensive line with Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.”
Salary Cap:
“By the time we get to like 2027, you kind of have a blank slate financially,” Mays explains. “When you get there, this is a team with a lot of financial flexibility, and most of those pillars that we’re talking about are still under contract. So I do think, on a bunch of different levels, this could be an attractive job in this cycle compared to some of the other ones that will come up.”
Potential Power:
“I think you have an arranged marriage with a GM that I can’t imagine holds a ton of power in that building,” Mays says. “It kind of reminds me of the Bears’ situation, where Ben Johnson has a lot of say in what is going on there and the players being picked and all of that, because it hasn’t necessarily been a rousing success with the general manager. So I think the power dynamics are potentially in your favor.”
Valentine’s View
Schoen expressed confidence during his bye week press conference that the Giants’ job would generate plenty of interest.
“The calls we’ve gotten, I think we’re going to be able to fill the job,” he said.
We don’t know for certain that Schoen will still be the general manager whenever the Giants hire a head coach. Recent reporting, though, makes it look like that will be the case.
There was this graphic on a recent report from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport:
The Daily News also reported that the expectation around the league is that Schoen is going to return.
That possibility has generally been framed as one that could be a negative for some candidates. It is interesting, though, to look at Mays’ perspective that it may actually attract some candidates because of the power dynamic. A strong coach/subservient GM is not the Giants’ normal power dynamic, but if an established coach like Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, or Mike McCarthy wanted such a structure you wonder if the Giants would consider it.
However it turns out, the general consensus is that the best candidates available will be interested in working for the Giants.
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