Are the Giants the Next Bears? Why New York’s Painful 2025 Season Might Be the Start of Something Bigger
At 2-10, the New York Giants’ record doesn’t exactly scream “bright future.” But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find something more than just another lost season. There’s a pulse here - and it’s beating through the arm of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Despite the scoreboard, the Giants have shown flashes. They’ve pushed playoff-caliber teams to the brink, and they’ve done it with a young quarterback who looks like he belongs.
It’s not unlike what we saw last year in Chicago - a team with a promising QB, a disappointing record, and a head coach who couldn’t get the most out of the roster. Fast forward one season, and the Bears are sitting atop the NFC with a 9-3 record under rookie head coach Ben Johnson.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. And it begs the question: Could the Giants be next?
The Parallels Between the 2025 Giants and 2024 Bears Are Hard to Miss
Let’s start with the obvious. Both teams had talent, both had young quarterbacks with star potential, and both suffered through seasons plagued by fourth-quarter collapses and inconsistent coaching.
For the Bears, it was Matt Eberflus who couldn’t close games. For the Giants, it was Brian Daboll - and now, both coaches are gone.
But the front offices? They stayed.
Chicago kept GM Ryan Poles. The Giants are expected to stick with Joe Schoen.
That continuity in the front office, paired with a fresh voice at head coach, made all the difference in Chicago. It could do the same in New York.
The Bears’ 5-12 finish in 2024 was filled with “almosts” - games they led late but couldn’t seal. Sound familiar?
The Giants have blown leads to the Broncos, Saints, Bears, and Lions this year. That’s four games they could’ve won - and three of those opponents are legit playoff contenders.
If the Giants had closed those out, we’d be talking about a 6-6 team with a rookie quarterback and a real shot at the postseason.
Instead, they’re 2-10. But the tape tells a different story.
Jaxson Dart Is the Real Deal - Now He Needs the Right Coach
Jaxson Dart has shown more than just flashes - he’s shown command, poise, and big-play ability. He’s looked the part of a franchise quarterback, even in the middle of a chaotic season. But like Caleb Williams in his rookie year, Dart has been held back by a system that hasn’t supported him fully.
The Bears saw what they had in Williams and went out and got the right guy to bring it all together. Ben Johnson didn’t just elevate Williams - he changed the culture. He brought in a staff that knew how to develop talent, instilled discipline, and turned a team that couldn’t finish games into one that now dominates them.
That’s the blueprint.
The Giants need a head coach who can do more than just scheme up plays for Dart. They need someone who can build a staff, hold players accountable, and get the most out of a roster that, on paper, has serious potential - especially on defense.
The Giants’ Defense Has Talent - It Just Needs Direction
New York’s defense isn’t short on talent - or investment. But the results haven’t matched the payroll.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was recently let go, and that move felt overdue. Too often, the Giants’ defense has looked flat, confused, and out of sync - especially late in games.
A new head coach with a sharper vision and a more aggressive defensive staff could unlock a unit that has the pieces to be a top-10 group. The talent is there.
The execution hasn’t been. That’s coaching.
And that’s why this next hire is so crucial. The Giants can’t afford to bring in someone who only sees Dart. They need a leader who sees the full picture - offense, defense, culture, and identity.
The Bears Made the Leap - The Giants Could Be Next
The Bears were the NFL’s best worst-team story in 2024. They were competitive, but couldn’t close. They had a young quarterback, a front office that believed in him, and a roster that just needed the right leadership.
Sound familiar?
Now, in 2025, they’re first in the NFC. They’re not just beating good teams - they are one.
That transformation didn’t take years. It took one offseason, one coaching hire, and one quarterback taking the next step.
The Giants have the quarterback. They’ve got a GM who’s likely staying put. What they need now is their Ben Johnson - someone who can turn the promise into production.
The Bottom Line
This season has been rough for the Giants - no doubt about it. But the signs of a turnaround are there if you’re willing to look past the record.
They’ve been in games against playoff teams. They’ve got a young quarterback who looks like the real thing.
And they’re about to hit the reset button on the coaching staff.
That’s the same formula the Bears used to go from 5-12 to 9-3.
Now it’s up to the Giants to find the right leader, build the right staff, and turn close losses into defining wins. If they get it right, don’t be surprised if we’re talking about the 2026 Giants the same way we’re talking about the 2025 Bears - as one of the NFL’s most compelling turnaround stories.