At the end of the season, I was convinced the New York Giants would move on from both Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. That’s why I was surprised to see the Giants stick with their general manager. Now, after John Harbaugh’s arrival and the 2026 NFL Draft, I’m starting to understand why the New York Giants are sticking with Joe Schoen and why ownership believes he’s the right person to help build this team moving forward.
In a recent episode of the Bleed Big Blue Podcast, I broke down why my opinion has changed. While I still believe Schoen’s first few seasons were far from perfect, the way he and Harbaugh appeared to work together throughout the draft has given me a different perspective on the direction of this franchise.
John Harbaugh’s Arrival Changed My Perspective
The biggest reason I’m more comfortable with Joe Schoen staying is John Harbaugh. If Harbaugh signed off on extending Schoen, that’s good enough for me. Ownership clearly trusts their general manager, but just as importantly, their new head coach does too.
Watching the 2026 NFL Draft, it felt like Harbaugh and Schoen were working together instead of competing for control. Harbaugh may have identified players he wanted, but Schoen looked comfortable navigating the draft board. He seemed to know exactly when he could be patient and when he needed to be aggressive. Trading up for Malachi Fields was a perfect example. To me, that’s where a general manager earns his paycheck.
Joe Schoen Still Has to Own His Early Draft Misses
None of this erases what happened during Schoen’s first few seasons. His first draft class included Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal, two top-10 picks who simply haven’t lived up to expectations. When you’re drafting that high, those are players who have to become cornerstones of your franchise.
At the same time, it’s worth remembering that very few people questioned those selections when they were made. If the Giants hadn’t drafted either player, another team likely would have taken them just a few picks later. That’s the reality of the NFL Draft. Sometimes the consensus gets it wrong, and sometimes talented players never develop the way everyone expected.
Great General Managers Earn Their Money on Day 2 and Day 3
One point we talked about on the podcast is something I’ve always believed. The players at the top of the draft are usually obvious. Most fans can identify the best prospects because we’ve spent months watching highlights, reading mock drafts, and hearing analysts talk about them.
Where general managers really separate themselves is in the middle and later rounds. That’s where you find future starters, quality depth, and the occasional hidden gem that every other team overlooked. Those are the picks that quietly build winning football teams, and that’s an area where I’ll continue to judge Joe Schoen over the next few years.
Was It Really the Players, or Was It the Coaching?
Another thing I’ve started wondering is how much of the Giants’ struggles came down to coaching rather than talent. Harbaugh chose to keep several players that many fans, myself included, had started to lose faith in. That tells me he still sees something worth developing.
Take Evan Neal as an example. I’ve always wondered what his market would have looked like if he had actually reached free agency. I don’t think teams would have been throwing huge contracts at him, but I guarantee there would have been coaches around the league saying, “Give me that player. I can fix him.”
Every sport has coaches who believe they can unlock a player’s potential. Maybe Harbaugh and his staff can finally get more out of some of these former first-round picks.
Looking Back at the Saquon Barkley Decision
Another move that’s still debated is letting Saquon Barkley leave in free agency. I’ll admit it hurt watching him sign with Philadelphia, and it hurt even more seeing him win a Super Bowl with a division rival. No Giants fan enjoyed watching that.
Even so, I still think it was the right football decision. Barkley was an incredible talent, but he also battled injuries throughout much of his Giants career. More importantly, the Giants simply weren’t built to maximize what he did best.
The offensive line wasn’t good enough, the passing game wasn’t good enough, and defenses consistently stacked the box because they weren’t worried about getting beat through the air. The Giants weren’t winning consistently with Barkley on the roster, so paying top dollar for a running back wasn’t going to fix the bigger issues facing the team.
Joe Schoen Has Earned Another Opportunity, Now He Has to Deliver
Joe Schoen’s tenure as general manager hasn’t been perfect. There have been draft misses, difficult roster decisions, and plenty of criticism. At one point, I thought the Giants needed a complete reset, and that included moving on from both Schoen and Brian Daboll.
Today, I don’t feel that way. Ownership believes in Joe Schoen, and John Harbaugh clearly does too. After watching how this offseason unfolded and seeing the approach they took during the 2026 NFL Draft, I’m beginning to understand why the Giants chose to stick with him.
Now comes the part that matters most. The contract extension is signed, the draft is complete, and the excuses are over. It’s time for Joe Schoen to prove the New York Giants made the right decision.
Rep The Team No Matter What!
Through the highs and the lows, we bleed blue. As a new season begins, there’s no better way to show your Giants pride than with the new Jaxson Dart New York Giants Jersey.
One of the team’s top-selling jerseys, it’s the perfect way to back Big Blue and represent the future of Giants football.
The New York Giants Fanatics Shop.
Ready for Redemption? Grab Tickets Now!
The past is behind us. A new season is coming, and hope is alive. Want to be there when the Giants start writing a new chapter? Head to StubHub to grab your tickets for the home opener at MetLife Stadium
More Giants Talk Every Week.
We’ll be covering more Giants drama, victories, and throwbacks every week. Don’t miss a post, subscribe below and stay in the loop all season long.
