When the New York Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, a lot changed in a hurry. For starters, it meant the team would likely not be in the market for a quarterback for the foreseeable future. It also changed the outlook on the current regime of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
Many were surprised that Schoen and Daboll were retained following a three-win season in their third year with Big Blue. However, Giants co-owner John Mara stood behind the duo with confidence, saying they needed a bit more time to turn things around.
While many believe that the addition of the young quarterback prospect will give Schoen and Daboll job security next offseason no matter the result on the field this year, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated does not believe that to be the case.
I don’t think selecting Dart in the first round protects Daboll and Schoen. However, it could in a more indirect way.
If the Giants make the playoffs, then we’re not talking about their job security. If they don’t, there will be shades of gray to the decisions—and that’s where Dart’s play comes in. Because the NFC East drew the NFC North and AFC West this year, the schedule is a bear. So if the Giants win seven or eight games, Dart takes the job in midseason, plays well and energizes the group late, I could see the owners not wanting to pull the plug. Conversely, winning seven or eight games with Russell Wilson probably won’t be enough.
The Giants’ brutal schedule does not do the GM/head coach combination any favors. And an argument could be made that they are better off having Dart either sit or start the entire season in the interest of retaining their jobs.
Daboll is known for working well to develop young quarterbacks so one would believe that he will at least get through 2026 to groom Dart and show what he can do on the field.
The big unknown is whether the combination of Daboll and Schoen is a package deal or if the Giants decide they could get rid of one while retaining the other.
It’s hard to believe the Giants will be anywhere close to a playoff team, so it will be interesting to see if the media talks about Daboll and/or Schoen being on the hot seat down the stretch of the season.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL Insider: Giants’ Jaxson Dart could influence John Mara’s decision on current regime
Reporting by Tyler Henry, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
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