The New York Giants have somehow landed back in the exact spot every fan feared. Another 4-13 season. Another head coach sent packing. Another January spent staring at draft boards and wondering why the winningest franchise in the city looks so lost.
Honestly, the New York Giants news now isn't just about who’s leaving; it’s about who is stubbornly staying. John Mara and Steve Tisch confirmed that General Manager Joe Schoen will return for 2026. This move has basically set the fanbase on fire. How do you keep the guy who oversaw a 22-45-1 record over four years?
Continuity. That's the word they used.
The Search for the Next Voice
With Brian Daboll officially out, the focus is squarely on the headset. Mike Kafka, who served as the interim head coach for the final seven games of 2025, isn't just a placeholder anymore. He's actually interviewing for jobs elsewhere—most recently a virtual meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator opening on January 13, 2026.
💡 You might also like: Kent State Basketball Score: What Really Happened in the Rockets Thriller
If Kafka leaves, the slate is totally clean.
Schoen is leading this search. He says he’s looking for "football acumen" and "communication." To be real, he’s looking for someone who can finally fix an offense that has been stuck in the mud for years. Rumors are already swirling about big names. John Harbaugh is a name that won’t go away after his exit from Baltimore. Imagine that. A Harbaugh in the Meadowlands. It sounds like a fever dream, but that's where we are.
What about Jaxson Dart?
The only reason people aren't completely checking out is Jaxson Dart.
The rookie was a bright spot in a dark year. He threw for 15 touchdowns and over 2,200 yards in 12 starts. He’s got that "it" factor. Even in the season finale—a 34-17 win over the Cowboys—Dart looked like he belonged. He’s nominated for Pepsi Rookie of the Year for a reason.
But a quarterback can’t do it alone. Malik Nabers, who looked like a superstar early on, is coming off a brutal ACL tear. Without him, Dart was throwing to a rotating door of depth chart guys.
The New York Giants news now hinges on the 5th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Do they go with a guy like Carnell Tate from Ohio State to give Dart another weapon? Or do they look at the defense where Abdul Carter is starting to look like a monster?
👉 See also: Daryll Clark: What Most People Get Wrong About the Penn State Legend
A Roster in Flux
Looking at the roster today is kinda stressful. You’ve got cornerstones like Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence, sure. But the "blue-chip" core is thin.
- Jaxson Dart: The franchise. Period.
- Cam Skattebo: A total revelation at running back before he got banged up.
- Abdul Carter: Finished the year strong and might be the next great Giants pass rusher.
- The O-Line: It was actually... okay? But with Greg Van Roten and Jermaine Eluemunor hitting free agency, that stability could vanish by March.
Bobby Okereke is a name to watch, too. He’s been a leader, but there’s talk he could be a "cap casualty" as Schoen tries to find room to rebuild. It feels like the team is constantly tearing down one wall to fix another.
The Sam Beal Situation
Away from the field, there’s a much heavier story. Former Giants defensive back Sam Beal has been missing for seven months. His family made another public plea for help on January 12. It’s a tragic, sobering reminder that these players are people first. The search continues in Virginia Beach, and the Giants community is rightfully shaken by the lack of answers.
🔗 Read more: Alianza Atlético vs. Universitario: Why Sullana is the Toughest Trip in Peruvian Football
Why This Offseason is Different
In the past, the Giants tried to "retool." They tried to pretend they were one or two players away. They aren't.
This is a full-blown identity crisis.
Schoen has a 1-1 postseason record from that fluky 2022 run, but since then, it’s been a slide. He’s "humbled and honored" to stay, but the leash is microscopic. If the 2026 head coaching hire fails, they’re both gone.
The schedule for 2026 is already out. It's not easy. If they don't find a way to protect Dart and get Nabers back to 100%, the No. 5 pick this year won't matter much.
Next Steps for the Giants:
The team needs to finalize the head coaching interview list by next week. Keep a close eye on the "Reserve/Future" signings—players like Jake Kubas and Trace Ford—as these are the guys who fill out the bottom of the roster during this transition. If you're looking for hope, watch the Rookie of the Year voting. If Dart wins, it might just give this front office the momentum they desperately need to convince a top-tier coach to take the job.