Jaxson Dart’s anticipated comeback to the field for the New York Giants this Monday night against the New England Patriots isn’t the headline-grabber of the week. Instead, the spotlight turns to the Giants’ General Manager, Joe Schoen, who is set to address the New York media in a press conference typically held during the team’s bye week.
Schoen’s media appearance comes on the heels of the Giants’ game against the Patriots and marks his first public address since the dismissal of head coach Brian Daboll on November 10. The timing of this press conference is critical, as the Giants currently hold a 2-10 record, with only a handful of games remaining after their Monday night showdown in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by their Week 14 bye.
For Joe Schoen, this press conference represents a crucial opportunity to defend his role and lay out his vision for the team moving forward. With the Giants mired in a six-game losing streak, Monday’s game carries significant weight for the players on the field, eager to break their unfortunate streak.
Additionally, interim head coach Mike Kafka, still searching for his first victory with a 0-2 record at the helm, will be closely watched as he navigates this challenging period. The outcome of Monday’s game could have implications for his future with the team as well.
That means Schoen’s press conference will be his final public argument to save his job.
So yes, Monday’s game matters to the players who are desperate to snap a six-game losing streak, to interim head coach Mike Kafka, who is still seeking his first win at 0-2.
But it matters most in the context of how Schoen will be able to sell himself to the public and to ownership later in the week.
If Kafka keeps Dart safe and improves his play from the pocket against the Patriots, Schoen might stress the difference in Dart’s usage and play on Monday night compared to a previously reckless approach.
Undoubtedly, Schoen is hoping interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen can find a way to scheme up Abdul Carter for his first full sack of the season or a big play. That way the GM can point to proven, recent production from a No. 3 overall pick who at the moment is only known for sleeping through a walk-through practice.
Beating the Patriots, obviously, would be a dream scenario for Schoen.
New England has a 10-2 record, has won nine straight and hasn’t lost since Sept. 21. The Giants have lost a franchise record 12 straight road games.
If the Giants upset Mike Vrabel’s team in prime time, Schoen will do his best to complete the separation from Daboll entirely:
It would be the GM’s best way to argue that his personnel were on the cusp of something all along; the roster just needed better leadership at the helm.
The credit and blame game could get tricky here, though. Even Dart said during his press conference on Friday of Daboll: “Who knows if I’m here without him.”
It could get messy if Schoen tries to take credit for Dart while firing and distancing himself from the coach who steered the Giants’ draft process to the quarterback in the first place.
One result, of course, should not sway Giants ownership at this stage to keep a fourth-year GM with a 20-42-1 (.317) record.
For Schoen, however, it might just be his only hope to make a real argument with a result supporting it.
Because the Giants’ schedule softens dramatically in their final four games against the Commanders, Vikings and Raiders before they close with the Cowboys.
And it’s difficult to imagine any of those results would change the franchise’s outlook, outside of Dart’s specific production and development and trajectory in this new, temporary construct of a coaching staff.
As for Monday, there is some pressure for Dart to entertain America here, considering his return to the starting lineup is robbing the national television audience of another Jameis Winston Experience.
That’s a high bar to clear.
This game also has the potential to be a massacre, though.
The Giants just fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, a good friend of Vrabel’s. And Patriots backup quarterback Tommy DeVito told masslive.com: “I hope we blow them out.”
If Drake Maye and the Patriots blow out Dart and the Giants, even Schoen might find it difficult to spin reality at his press conference.
If a lopsided result confirms the reality of the team he has built once and for all.
