After the recent Week 18 news that the New York Giants are expected to retain general manager Joe Schoen despite his 6-27 record over the past two seasons, NYG podcaster and reporter Bobby Skinner called out the organization for an embarrassing missed opportunity in 2025 free agency.
“One of the shocking things about the Giants going from 3 wins last year to 3 wins this year is they only had 1 consequential UFA [unrestricted free agent] last offseason, which was [wide receiver] Darius Slayton & they brought him back,” Skinner reminded on January 2.
“Essentially, every move they made was an on-paper upgrade,” he continued, before noting that 2026 won’t be quite so simple.
“I think [linebacker] Micah McFadden will be an easy re-signing, although they’ll likely cut Bobby Okereke, which makes ILB a huge question,” Skinner explained. Adding: “Big decisions ahead on [right tackle] Jermaine Eluemunor, [wide receiver] Wan’Dale Robinson & [cornerback] Cor’Dale Flott. [Plus], it’s a must to add starters at Guard & DT in free agency even if you re-sign all those players.”
Needless to say, it’s almost unfathomable that after finding a quarterback in the draft, spending a top-three selection on an impact pass rusher, and signing so many veteran players in free agency, the Giants still finished with the exact same record as last year.
That’s not just an indictment on the coaching staff, which has taken the blame so far, but it’s also an indictment on the players and the 2025 free agency decisions made by Schoen.
Re-Examining 2025 Free Agency for Giants & GM Joe Schoen
Schoen’s moves to bolster the Giants’ roster simply did not work last offseason.
After re-signing a few veteran role players, he began by signing defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris and offensive line depth like James Hudson and Stone Forsythe. None of these players was particularly impactful, however, and Hudson was actually best known for his lack of discipline and costly penalties.
Next up were newcomers Chris Board (linebacker/special teams), Chauncey Golston (defensive line/edge), and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (linebacker/special teams). Each dealt with injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, combining for a total of just 20 appearances altogether.
Schoen also dedicated cap space to re-sign Slayton, who had one of his worst seasons as a Giant, and spent big money on defensive backs Jevon Holland (safety) and Paulson Adebo (cornerback).
Holland suited up for more games than the oft-injured Adebo, but neither has been particularly impactful for Big Blue.
There were other forgettable signings, too, like wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, and wide receiver Zach Pascal. Most of this group didn’t even make the 53-man roster out of training camp.
And who could forget that the Giants started the year with Russell Wilson as their QB1.
The NYG quarterback plan seems to have worked well for rookie Jaxson Dart, and the Jameis Winston signing has aged well, but Wilson’s inclusion will go down as yet another blunder.
Giants Insider Provides GM News Ahead of Week 18 vs. Cowboys
On January 2, ESPN NYG beat reporter and insider Jordan Raanan relayed the following Giants news about Schoen.
“The search is being led by general manager Joe Schoen. Ownership tasked him with this responsibility after firing [Brian] Daboll. Multiple sources who spoke with the Giants about potential candidates came away from recent conversations believing that Schoen ‘is coming back’ as the general manager despite a 6-27 record over the past two seasons. That is barring any last-minute change of mind by ownership or a high-level candidate who demands his own general manager.”
Later, Raanan wrote that “the Giants will cast a wide net for the job.” Adding: “There certainly isn’t a lack of interest even with the belief that Schoen is likely to return as GM.”
Considering the level on incompetency that the Giants have shown over the past decade, this news isn’t necessarily surprising, but it is a bit of a head-scratcher. Why on earth would John Mara and company potentially limit which head coach they can hire by keeping Schoen in an arranged marriage?
Hopefully, the upside of Dart, Malik Nabers, and Cam Skattebo is enough to lure in top candidates, despite Schoen’s presence.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Giants Called Out for ‘Shocking’ Missed Opportunity Amid Week 18 News appeared first on Heavy Sports.