EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Another plane flew laps around MetLife Stadium calling for the firings of all those associated with this Big Blue disaster, a precursor for another Giants blowout loss. This one was to the Ravens, 35-14, dropping New York to 2-12.
Lamar Jackson threw five touchdowns. Tommy DeVito started before getting hurt and replaced by Tim Boyle. It was varsity versus JV, only slightly more competitive when the Ravens yanked their starters with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth.
Who cares? There’s no point in lamenting the specifics of what transpired over those deplorable 60 minutes. It doesn’t matter. What does is who will be tasked with fixing this disaster: Those currently in place, or a new regime entirely?
It’s hard to justify giving the former another opportunity.
The Giants insist that they’re “not far off.” Those were general manager Joe Schoen’s words when he met the media at his midseason news conference. He believes that he’s assembled a core of young talent over his first three years.
They’re missing a quarterback — yes. Add him, though, and you’ll see a Commanders-like jump in 2025. That’s really what the Giants are missing — a quarterback.
It’s true. The Giants don’t have a quarterback. That’s painfully obvious.
The issue is that they don’t have much else, either. Outside of Tyrone Tracy, Malik Nabers, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Andrew Thomas, there are few others on this team who they can say are unequivocal mainstays, center pieces.
And that’s because the Giants have been dreadful at finding them since Schoen and coach Brian Daboll took over.
Schoen’s first draft looks more and more questionable by the week. He had two top-10 picks. He selected defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal.
The book is written on Neal. He’s a bust.
Thibodeaux, while a starter, is far from the caliber of player that you’d expect when selected with the No. 5 pick. He has three sacks in nine games this season. He had 11.5 last season, yes — but a deeper dive into Thibodeaux’s analytical prowess illustrates a flawed player. His pass-rush production among the lowest at his position.
Offensive tackles Josh Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan, corner Cor’Dale Flott, defensive tackle D.J. Davidson and linebacker Darian Beavers are either off the team or will be before next year. Tight end Daniel Bellinger and defensive back Dane Belton are, at best, backups.
Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson starts in the slot but only because the Giants have no one else. He has struggled immensely with drops (five) in his first healthy season. He has just 67 catches for 485 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
Schoen’s second draft looks atrocious. Corner Deontae Banks, drafted in the first round, allowed six touchdowns this year in 11 games before getting hurt. He allowed four as a rookie. He compiled 51.5 and 51.3 Pro Football Focus grades.
Center John Michael Schmitz, while a starter, hasn’t been good. He had a 41.4 mark and 61.9 grades to begin his career.
Receiver Jalin Hyatt, running back Eric Gray and corner Tre Hawkins can’t get on the field.
Corner Gervarrius Owens was already cut. It’s hard to see defensive tackle Jordon Riley on the team next year.
This year’s class looks like the Giants’ best work. Nabers is a star, Tracy and corner Dru Phillips look like (at the minimum) baseline starters. The book is still out on safety Tyler Nubin, tight end Theo Johnson and linebacker Darius Muasau.
Does any of it matter, though, if the Giants — despite doing immense work on every quarterback in last year’s draft — passed on Bo Nix, who looks like a franchise signal-caller poised for rookie-of-the-year honors in Denver? It’s even more troublesome if J.J. McCarthy, who missed the season with a knee injury, develops in Minnesota.
Those draft failures don’t even account for questionable trades (Darren Waller) and numerous free-agent signings that have not panned out or are trending that way (Jon Runyan, Mark Glowinski, Devin Singletary, Parris Campbell).
That’s why this team looks like it does right now.
The Giants are still in need of a long-term answer at right tackle and right guard. A No. 2 receiver to start opposite Nabers. A tight end. A center if Michael Schmitz doesn’t dramatically turn it around. And, oh, yeah, that quarterback.
Defensively, they need two ends around Lawrence. A No. 1 corner. A No. 2 corner if Banks doesn’t improve. Another safety opposite Nubin. Plus depth. Depth pretty much everywhere.
You’re entrusting a regime to find all of that when the only two positions that it undeniably improved (for the long-term) since its hiring three years ago are receiver (Nabers) and pass rush (Burns). The same regime that let walk or traded away defensive end Leonard Williams, safeties Julian Love and Xavier McKinney, and running back Saquon Barkley — all of whom are trending toward Pro Bowl or All-Pro seasons this year. A regime that, since its hiring, has regressed each season. From 9-7-1 with Dave Gettleman’s roster, to 6-11, to 2-12. The offense alone is reaching historically-low levels of ineptitude (14.85 points per game).
Stability is so important in the NFL. That’s what John Mara wants. You can tell that the co-owner is terrified over the thought of another rebuild.
He should be even more afraid of sticking with the wrong people too long, though. No one spends like a desperate regime — bad contracts, worse trades and forced picks are how a bad team extends its rut.
This might feel like rock bottom for the Giants. They’re trending towards their worst record in franchise history in a year where they were supposed to celebrate their 100th season. They have the second-worst record in the NFL since 2017 — 39-88-1. Only the Jets (39-89) are worse.
But it can absolutely get worse by enacting the above.
Change is scary. Sometimes change is warranted.
It’s beginning to look like that’s undeniably the case here for the Giants.
Planes flew demanding change before the Giants past two home games. Luckily for the Giants, they’ll be on the road next week before their home finale in Week 17. There will undeniably be another waiting for them then, too.
The best owners in sports can tune out the noise to do what’s best for the organization. Right now, though, those outside might be on to what should happen in.
This team might very well be the worst in the NFL. It didn’t get here by accident.
Those in place contributed to this mess. It’s getting harder and harder to believe they’re capable of cleaning it up.
