EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Joe Schoen is unhappy with where the Giants are standing, but he is confident in where they're going.
Schoen, the Giants' third-year general manager, expressed his disappointment in the Giants' 2-8 record several times during his annual bye-week news conference. But he also stressed that most games have been close, the team has numerous talented young players, and he believes the program he and coach Brian Daboll are building will be successful.
"Nobody's happy that we're 2-8," Schoen said. "...It's not where we want to be. We're going to start looking for solutions. We do it every week. You go to each game and you're looking at matchups and being competitive. We've been competitive in the games. We've got to find ways to finish games. That's what we'll do the rest of the week, whether it's the way we practice, the way we're doing things, scheme, coaching, personnel, whatever it is. We're going to look under every rock and try to figure out solutions moving forward. We got seven games left. So, there's still a lot of time to play.
"I believe in the process. I believe where we're going. Again, doing it sometimes it hurts and it's painful and it's hard to go through it. But we're going in the right direction."
Schoen expressed his support for Daboll, who led the Giants to a postseason victory and was named NFL Coach of the Year in his 2022 debut season. But the team's record since the start of the 2023 season is 8-19.
"He's coming in every day, he's working hard," Schoen said. "The team is staying together. We had a really good practice today on a bye week, which is the first time we've done that in his three years here. He's done a really good job of the guys competing, keeping the locker room together.
"Again, we're in these games. We just got to find a way to finish it. It's 1-5 in one score games. So, we got to find a way to get over the hump and make plays at critical times of the game, whether it's red zone or third down. Or getting off the field on defense. Or tackling on punt coverage and not allowing a punt return for a touchdown. There's a lot of things that we can look at and we need to improve on and that's what we're going to do the rest of the week."
Schoen offered a less detailed evaluation of quarterback Daniel Jones, who has started every game this season. Daboll yesterday opened the door to the possibility that one of the team's backups, Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito, could replace Jones in the Giants' next game, Nov. 24 against Tampa Bay in MetLife Stadium.
"In general, Daniel has played some good games," Schoen said. "There's some games where maybe he'd like to have some throws back or do things differently. But, in general, it's not one individual or one situation that keeps occurring, unfortunately. So, whether it's defense on the field at the end of the game, we've got a chance to close it out. Or offense has the ball in a couple different games and we could go down and score and close the game out. We're going to look at solutions and we're going to evaluate everything, like Dabs said yesterday, and that's what we'll do moving forward here."
Asked about Jones possibly being replaced, Schoen said, "It will be a football decision. Any decisions we make moving forward, as we evaluate the roster and what we're doing for the final seven games, will be football decisions."
Schoen did not want to discuss whether Jones has a long-term future with the Giants but discussed where the team is in broader terms.
"We have seven games left in this season and that's what we're focused on," he said. "I'm focused on 2024 and how we can get better these final seven games. We have 19 of 22 starters under contract for next year. I believe it's 41 players on the 53 (man roster). So, there is a young nucleus of players here, and some veterans, that are going be together. We're in a position where we have some continuity. As this team grows together, it's important over these final seven weeks that… A lot of these guys are going to be together again next year. We're finally in a position where there will be some continuity year over year. It's important that we find ways to win games, specifically those ones I spoke about earlier when it's close. That's part of changing the culture and expecting to win. You don't want it to be, 'Here we go again.' So, that's a mindset that we're still trying to develop.
"We do have a young team. We're the youngest defense in the league. We have (tight end) Theo (Johnson), (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.), (wide receiver Malik) Nabers, some young guys on offense that are playing major roles for us and contributing. It's important for them to grow and learn how to win games as well."
The 2024 draft class included just six players, but all have contributed, including offensive starters Nabers, Johnson and Tracy, and safety Tyler Nubin, who has missed just two snaps all season, on defense.
They joined a collection of players Schoen inherited or acquired via trade or free agency and his first two drafts that he believes will continue to grow and improve together. Wide receiver Darius Slayton and right guard Greg Van Roten are the only offensive starters not signed for 2025.
"I like Tyler Nubin," Schoen said. "He's played well for us. He's one of the only rookies playing 99% of the defensive play time. He's leading rookies in tackles. So, I'm excited about him. Tyrone Tracy (is) also leading rookies in terms of rushing. I'm excited about the young players that we have. The build is tough. It hurts sometimes as you're going through it. But, you got to go through it to get to the other side.
"I like the young foundation that we've put in place. Whether it's (outside linebacker Brian) Burns and Dex (defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence) and (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux). … There are some young pieces in place in terms of the foundation, that we're going to continue to build on. Another year of free agency and another draft, we're not far off."
From what?
With some experience and another offseason to bolster the roster, Schoen believes the Giants can, as one reporter asked, "make a decent leap forward."
"Yeah, I really do," Schoen said. "We'll get into 2025 when we get there. I don't know what that looks like right now. Again, we're focused on these last seven games. But I do like where we are from a continuity standpoint. And I think that's important. Year over year, having a core nucleus of players that can lead and teach and help implement the coach's message, the scheme, whatever it may be, Constant turnover and new players every year, that's tough. And the goal all along was to build something that's sustainable. And to do that, it takes time. And based on resources that you have, again, it's painful going through it, but I think where we are right now and where we're heading, yes, there should be."
View photos of the Giants' 2024 rookie class in their first NFL season.
WR Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants place kicker Jude McAtamney (99)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1), RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
OLB Brian Burns (0), DT Elijah Chatman (94)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
RB Dante Miller (25)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
DT Elijah Chatman (94), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
RB Dante Miller (25)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Dante Miller (25)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
G Jake Kubas (63)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
CB Dru Phillips (22), S Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
New York Giants place kicker Jude McAtamney (99)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants place kicker Jude McAtamney (99)
New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25)
New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25)
New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27),New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
![New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/svlxsa7cidc7hxhwdm8v.jpg)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)]
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84), touchdown
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84), touchdown
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84), touchdown
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
RB Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), DT Elijah Chatman (94)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94),New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94),New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson
WR Malik Nabers (1), RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
LB Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
CB Dru Phillips (22), S Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Dru Phillips (22), CB Adoree' Jackson (21)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
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