The New York Giants are entering a critical 2024 campaign that could determine the fates of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. The goal for the Giants is to compete for the postseason and prove that their 2022 playoff success wasn't a fluke. Ownership could appoint a new regime next offseason if Schoen and Daboll don't prove capable.
The Giants entered 2023 with renewed hope after arguably being the biggest surprise team of the 2022 campaign. Fresh off a 9-7-1 season that culminated with a playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round, Schoen made sizable offseason decisions that are still having a ripple effect. They've largely backfired.
The Giants had declined quarterback Daniel Jones' fifth-year option heading into 2022. The former first-rounder responded with a career-best season, throwing for 3,205 yards, and accounting for 22 total touchdowns. The Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension after he led the team to the playoffs. They essentially chose Jones long-term over superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with their rival Philadelphia Eagles in March.
Daniel Jones hits Malik Nabers down the field 💪 pic.twitter.com/t4CV5wMvdC
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) August 5, 2024
Jones and the Giants unfortunately regressed. A neck injury initially derailed Jones' season, and the ex-Duke quarterback would later suffer a torn ACL in Week 9. He went 1-5 in six starts and the Giants concluded the campaign at a lackluster 6-11.
Unless the Giants significantly improve in 2024, signing Jones to such a lucrative extension could seal Schoen's and Daboll's fate with the organization. It'll be interesting to monitor how they handle his contract situation. The relationship between Jones and the Giants could turn awkward.
Jones doesn't possess any guaranteed money remaining on his contract. An injury guarantee of $23 million will be triggered for the 2025 campaign if injury prevents him from passing a physical next March. If the Giants aren't in postseason contention in say November or December, they could consider benching a healthy Jones to ensure the injury guarantee doesn't prevent them from releasing him next offseason. Similar clauses resulted in Derek Carr and Russell Wilson being benched before they were released by their previous teams in the offseason. The Giants prepared for that possibility by adding Drew Lock, a high-level backup, in free agency.
The better outcome for the Giants would be for Jones to recapture his 2022 form. Schoen and Daboll continue to invest in his success. They drafted two pass-catchers with elite potential, wide receiver Malik Nabers and tight end Theo Johnson, to spearhead the aerial attack. The offensive line should also be improved after the arrivals of Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor, the latter of which is competing with Evan Neal.
Malik Nabers on the slant 😤 pic.twitter.com/rl1NEWdb3G
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) August 5, 2024
If things take a while to come together offensively, the Giants could be a defensive-oriented team. They acquired EDGE Brian Burns in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers. Pairing Burns with Kayvon Thibodeaux offers the Giants one of the more fearsome pass-rushing duos in the league. Cornerback Deonte Banks is an ascending talent and the drafting of Andru Phillips and Tyler Nubin transformed the secondary.
The Giants' 2024 campaign will directly shape the organization's future direction. Jones is under an immense amount of pressure to perform. If the Giants fail to compete for the postseason, Jones, Daboll, and Schoen could see their tenures in East Rutherford reach their conclusion.
