NFL

Are Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen still a pair? ‘Ask John,’ says Daboll

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5 days ago

January 1, 2025

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Are Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen still a pair? ‘Ask John,’ says Daboll

The job security of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll is front and center as the New York Giants prepare to finish their season on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Are Schoen and Daboll a package deal? Can ownership separate a coach and GM who were brought in from the same place during the same hiring cycle?

Don’t ask Daboll.

“You’d have to ask John (Mara),” is all Daboll would say when he was asked about that on Thursday.

Recent reports have indicated that ownership is evaluating each separately and feels it could split them up if necessary.

Daboll said that he and Schoen still have a solid working relationship.

“it’s a good working relationship, good communication, talk every day about a variety of things, roster, personnel, everything,” Daboll said.

We will see how much longer it lasts.

Mike Kafka’s future

After two seasons of letting offensive coordinator Mike Kafka call plays, Daboll took that responsibility over himself this season. Kafka was given the title of assistant head coach, but was relegated to a supporting role where it is unclear from the outside exactly what his responsibilities are.

The Giants are 3-13 and 31st in the league in offense. So, how has that worked out?

“We’ve won three games, so not good enough,” Daboll said.

Daboll was complementary toward Kafka, and said he would like the offensive coordinator to stay on staff.

“Yeah, he does a good job for us,” Daboll said. “Mike’s been a great teammate, good coach, good friend. Does a good job for us.”

Two issues with that. The first, of course, is that we don’t know yet if Daboll will be back next season.

The second is that Kafka is one of those young, offensive-mind assistant coaches who had been considered to be on the fast track to a head-coaching job. He has had several interview for head-coaching openings the past two offseasons.

Being stripped of play-calling by Daboll can’t help Kafka’s prospects for advancing his career. Unless Daboll were willing to turn control of the offense back over to Kafka, it would be shocking if the offensive coordinator chose to stay with Daboll in a non-play calling role.

Besides, we know what happened a year ago shortly after Daboll said he expect Wink Martindale to remain on his staff.

Injury updates

Defensive tackle Armon Watts has undergone season-ending surgery for a torn ACL suffered Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle) and right tackle Evan Neal (rib/hip) did not practice on Thursday.