John Mara's Actions Speak Louder Than His Words

After the New York Giants ended their season with a 3-14 record, the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and little direction under center, owner John Mara was expected to perpetuate his team’s turnover by firing head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen on Black Monday.

It wouldn’t have been without cause. The Giants lost 10 games in a row, face planted in consecutive seasons, and watched multiple players leave to find more success around the league. Instead, Mara publicly backed his braintrust, giving Schoen and Daboll another year to save their jobs.

It was a bid for continuity amid the turnstile of coaches and general managers that have cycled in and out of East Rutherford since Tom Coughlin left town.

One offseason won’t be enough to determine whether Mara’s trust was misplaced, but his fans will be watching to see if the front office is acting with its job security in mind, or if they believe in Mara’s trust.

On Thursday, New York picked edge rusher Abdul Carter with that third pick and traded into Round 1 to take Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart. The former was chalk, the latter was more polarizing.

Some will see a first-round quarterback as a way to extend one’s job security, as it would create turbulence for the quarterback if his coach is fired after Year 1. As such, Mike Florio suggested that Mara back his staff again.

“As to the Giants, it’s simple,” he wrote. “Co-owner John Mara should make a clear declaration, ASAFP, that he fully supports G.M. Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, and that they’ll have a fair opportunity to develop rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart.”

If Schoen really felt like he needed to make the playoffs to keep his job, he wouldn’t have picked a redshirt quarterback. He would spend. three Day 2 picks adding immediate contributors to boost those chances. Instead, he traded two of them for the chance to pick Dart.

He’s acting as if he has Mara’s backing. Maybe he has it. Mara coming out now and commenting on anything more than “I’m excited for Dart” is an unnecessary storyline waiting to happen, and bad news if he does choose to clean house after 2025.

Mara knew a quarterback was a distinct possibility when he kept Schoen and Daboll around. This is what he signed up for; no matter what he says or doesn’t say in his reaction to the Dart selection.