Giants in Crisis: Accountability, Aggression, and the Road Ahead in New York
It’s December, and the New York Giants are once again staring into the abyss of a lost season. At 2-11, with seven straight losses and a staggering 13-game road skid, the franchise feels like it’s stuck in a loop of dysfunction. From pregame distractions to postgame fallout, this has been a season where the off-field noise has matched - and sometimes overshadowed - the on-field struggles.
Let’s unpack where things stand in East Rutherford, from the front office to the field, and what comes next for a team desperately seeking stability.
Joe Schoen Faces the Fire
Giants GM Joe Schoen stood in front of the media this week, fielding questions as the architect of a roster that has once again bottomed out. For the second straight year, the Giants are 2-11. And while fans are used to disappointment, the repetition of failure has only magnified the frustration.
Schoen didn’t flinch. He took the criticism head-on, but the bigger question remains: Why is he still the one answering for this mess? Accountability starts at the top, and after multiple failed drafts, questionable free-agent decisions, and a coaching hire that didn’t pan out, Schoen’s seat is understandably scorching.
Lawrence Taylor Sends a Wake-Up Call
Abdul Carter, the Giants’ rookie linebacker, found himself in hot water after missing practice under murky circumstances. Giants legend Lawrence Taylor didn’t mince words when asked about it.
“Wake up,” LT told reporters. “This is what you worked for, this is where you want to be... Don’t let your teammates down over bulls--t!”
Taylor’s message was clear: talent only takes you so far. In New York, effort and accountability matter just as much as ability. Carter has the tools to be a game-changer, but if he can’t be counted on off the field, it won’t matter what he does on it.
“He’s just gotta get his stuff together,” Taylor added. “And if he gets his stuff together, New York will love him... You make history on what you do on that field, not off that field.”
Jaxson Dart’s Learning Curve
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has shown flashes - no doubt about it. He’s got the arm, the athleticism, and the fire. But there’s a fine line between fearless and reckless, and right now, Dart’s toeing it.
Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor offered some advice that every young dual-threat QB should take to heart.
“My advice to him would be to be smart about those [hits],” Taylor said. “Your best ability is availability.”
Dart’s aggressive style is part of what makes him special, but the Giants need him upright and in rhythm - not sidelined by unnecessary punishment. It’s a balancing act, and it’s one the next coaching staff will need to help him master.
What Comes After Daboll?
With Brian Daboll out, the Giants’ next head coach inherits a team in need of a complete reset - not just schematically, but culturally. The to-do list is long:
- Restore accountability: The Giants need a leader who can command the locker room and set a new tone.
- Fix the run defense: This unit has been gashed all season.
That has to change.
- Develop the secondary: There are promising pieces, but they need direction and consistency.
- Manage Dart’s aggression: Unlock his potential without putting his health - or the offense - at risk.
- Close games: The Giants have folded in key moments.
That’s a mentality issue as much as anything.
- Generate pass rush: The front seven has underwhelmed, and it’s killing the defense.
- Build offensive cohesion: Right now, it’s a collection of players, not a unit. That needs to change.
Names like Kliff Kingsbury are floating around, but whoever takes the job will need to be more than just a schematic mind - they’ll need to be a culture builder.
The Shane Bowen “What-If”
One of the more debated decisions this season was Brian Daboll’s choice to retain defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after a meltdown against the Broncos. That game was a disaster, but instead of making a change, the Giants stayed the course - and paid the price.
Over the next two weeks, they gave up 72 points, then collapsed late against both the Bears and Packers. Daboll was fired after the Chicago loss.
Bowen didn’t last much longer. It’s the kind of sequence that can define a season - and a tenure.
Had the Giants made a move sooner, maybe they steal a win or two. Maybe they show more fight. Instead, they looked lost - and the scoreboard reflected it.
Inside the Building: Dennis Hickey’s Message
It’s not all doom and gloom inside the Giants' facility. Assistant Director of Player Personnel Dennis Hickey offered a reminder that sometimes success comes through struggle.
“We’re gonna get there,” Hickey said. “Success doesn’t come without struggle. A lot of times we want the struggle to be shorter than it sometimes is.”
It’s a sentiment that might not comfort fans right now, but it reflects the mindset of a front office trying to steady the ship amid chaos.
Around the League Notes
Elsewhere in the NFL:
- Jalen Carter is out for Week 14 after undergoing a procedure - a big blow for the Eagles’ defensive front.
- Darius Slay, the veteran corner, is reportedly contemplating retirement and won’t report to the Bills after being claimed off waivers.
- J.J. McCarthy returns for the Vikings, and that offense is in need of a serious reset.
- The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a new model for evaluating playing surfaces - a move aimed at improving player safety.
Final Word
The Giants are at a crossroads - again. The next few months will define the direction of the franchise for years to come. From the front office to the quarterback room, nothing should be off the table.
There’s talent here. There’s potential. But until the Giants find the right leadership - and the right culture - they’ll keep spinning their wheels.
New York demands more. And right now, the Giants have a long way to go to deliver it.