Giants' Gambit: From High Hopes to Hard Lessons

The New York Giants' journey under Brian Daboll was a rollercoaster of expectations and disappointments.

A Fresh Start with a Familiar Ending

Daboll's arrival in 2022 brought a fresh motto: "smart, tough, and dependable." Yet, the team's performance told a different story.

The phrase "smart" turned into "scared," especially evident in their recent game against the Bears.

Fear of backlash over quarterback choices led to poor decisions
"Tough" approach became reckless, particularly with quarterback Jaxson Dart's health

Dart's rushing skills added a dynamic to the offense but also led to frequent injuries.

Worst average time of possession with a lead in the league
Best while trailing
Habit of blowing leads: Infamous Denver game where they lost after being up by 18 points

Daboll's coaching style evolved from bold to timid.

Early decisions: Bold, like going for the win against the Titans
Later decisions: Reflected a shift in mentality—from winning to merely avoiding loss

John Mara's stance: Daboll's job depended on significant improvement in 2025
Performance: Did not meet expectations

The Giants' young core, including Dart, Malik Nabers, and Abdul Carter, shows promise.

Critical decision: Hire a coach who can raise the bar and lead them to success
Candidates: Interim coach Mike Kafka, Seattle's Klint Kubiak, and Washington's Kliff Kingsbury

Daboll's tenure left the Giants with a talented young quarterback in Dart, which could be his lasting legacy.

The team now faces a critical decision: hire a coach who can raise the bar and lead them to success, or continue their spiral of mediocrity.