After stumbling to a 2-8 start, the Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll on Nov. 10. The team lost four straight before Daboll’s ouster, and the results haven’t improved since then. Off to an 0-3 start under interim head coach Mike Kafka, the Giants have now dropped seven in a row. At 2-11, they’re on track to pick second in the 2026 draft after selecting third last spring.
The Giants were competitive in one-score losses against a pair of NFC playoff hopefuls (Green Bay and Detroit) in Kafka’s first two games at the helm. Things turned ugly on Monday, though, with the Giants failing to put up a fight in a 33-15 loss to the NFL-leading Patriots.
Rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter, the Giants’ top pick in this year’s draft, was conspicuously absent for the first quarter. Kafka said benching Carter was a “coach’s decision.” He didn’t offer any further details, but it turns out the punishment came after Carter missed a special teams meeting, Charlotte Carroll and Dan Duggan of The Athletic report.
Carter was confused regarding his role on the punt return team, which changes from week to week. Kafka previously sat Carter for the opening defensive series against the Packers after he missed a walk-through. While Kafka has insisted that it was his choice to bench Carter, general manager Joe Schoen is “very involved in trying to instill discipline,” Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes.
Daboll did not discipline Carter for tardiness when he was in charge, according to Dunleavy. Conversely, Albert Breer of SI.com reports that Daboll fined Carter multiple times for showing up late or missing meetings. Carter admitted on Monday that he needs “to be better,” but his attendance problems have gone on throughout the year.
With four games remaining in the Giants’ season, Kafka may be running out of time to get through to Carter. However, the Giants haven’t ruled out a full-time promotion for Kafka.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Schoen said Kafka will get a “real look” (via Jordan Raanan of ESPN). Kafka is on a list of roughly 10 candidates for a job that’s “highly coveted,” Breer relays.
The Giants have gone 11-36 since 2023, Schoen’s second season as GM, and he has drawn plenty of criticism as a result. Schoen is leading the coaching search, though, and he doesn’t expect his presence to scare away any candidates (via Raanan).
“From the calls we’ve gotten, I think we’re going to be able to fill that job,” said Schoen, who still sees a lot of positives on the roster.
Schoen noted that the team’s next head coach will inherit an offense with “some pieces in place to build around,” including potential franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart, No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers, and left tackle Andrew Thomas. Although the Giants rank 30th in total defense, Schoen contends they have a “pass rush” and “some pieces in the secondary,” which he believes will entice head coaching candidates.
Perception: “We got our Manning-linked QB, we got our diva WR, therefore we’re gonna be World Champions!”
Reality: That beatdown in Foxboro should end any talk of Schoen and Kafka staying on after the Dallas game in Week 18.
Completely on board with this Chucky
I think the players had been competitive in a few games (Denver, Detroit, Bears, Cowboys, Packers) despite the coaching and other leadership. In multiple games they didn’t have a competent kicker. They looked lifeless against the Pats and Kafka did things like dither on a 4th down, called the timeout, and punted anyway.
Clean sweep needed.
Note to Carter: Don’t be confused about your role. SHOW UP to the meeting first, then ask. If you’re not needed, the coach will tell you. Red flags flying with this guy.
“Perception: “We got our Manning-linked QB, we got our diva WR, therefore we’re gonna be World Champions!””
I’d love to know where you get this stuff because literally no Giants fan on earth thinks or ever thought this. We just want to see a competitive team fighting for the playoffs. Do you listen to a lot of WFAN?
New York-area tabloids historically treat the Giants with kid gloves while subjecting the Jets to a “hit squad”. (Though that’s changed somewhat after New England kicked the Giants’ ass on Monday night.)
And yes, Malik Nabers is now a diva. Tweeted and just as quickly deleted a dis at the NYG offense in the aftermath of their Detroit loss.
“New York-area tabloids historically treat the Giants with kid gloves while subjecting the Jets to a “hit squad”.”
They absolutely do not. You are high. Also, who cares what NYC tabloids think? That might even be worse than if you were listening to WFAN.
“Though that’s changed somewhat after New England kicked the Giants’ ass on Monday night.”
As opposed to your Jets? The Jets are 2-17 in their last 19 games against New England.
“And yes, Malik Nabers is now a diva. Tweeted and just as quickly deleted a dis at the NYG offense in the aftermath of their Detroit loss.”
Literally no one cares except NYC tabloids and obsessed Jets fans. I’m a Giants fan and I don’t care.
Kafka would have to get some victories down the stretch to win over the players and improve his chances of being made HC next season. Of course that would result in the Giants draft position dropping so he’s in a tough spot either way. I actually expect most teams to delay hiring a new HC until the status of Mike Tomlin becomes clear. He will be the guy most targeted if he become available.
It would have to be a complete 180 to run his chances above minimal. 3 of those 4 games are very winnable – they really beat the Cowboys earlier this year but snatched a loss away from the jaws of victory, they almost beat the Commanders with Russell Wilson and the Raiders are one of only 2 teams I’ve seen be more inept than the Giants this season (Titans). Really they’d have to win the 3 plus upset the Vikings or at least produce an extremely inspired effort to move the needle. 5-12 is not a huge stretch but given how they’ve done this season, 2-15 including a couple more blown 4th Q leads would not be a surprise at all.
Need to see if can trade Carter for a first round pick in top 5; he is an immature baby. Does he think he is in the NBA?
So he is an immature baby but u want to trade him for a top 5 pick. lol
Never Remember is the blackpink troll from MLBTR.
Sadly. Schoen’s continued presence is a huge detriment to finding a capable HC . With his consistent record of failed draft picks and free agent defections, a prominent candidate will think long and hard about hitching his fate to Joe Schoen. And in the end, some coordinator will probably conclude that it’s safer to stand pat than take a Giants offer.
IMO I was expecting more from Carter and this defense very disappointed. Does John Gruden want to coach again? I know he’s fond of the new QB. What will it take to bring him to New York? Giants need a fiery coach with some attitude.
Gruden ain’t getting an NFL gig as long as his legal action vs. the NFL is pending.
Kafka is working for his next job here. He has nothing to lose by instilling discipline, showing future bosses he means business and creating a reputation…and Schoen gets someone to turn the culture around for him ..
Win win for both of them
NYG should trade down with Cleveland, move down from 2 to 5, allowing themselves to get Caleb Downs for that pass rush, and accumulate more picks for the next coach.
Cleveland has the ammo to trade back up and take BPA or QB, with the Jags 1st round pick they possess.
If not Cleveland, then trade from 2 to 4 with Vegas who will be desperate to get Mendoza or Moore at QB position.
Agree that they should trade down. Don’t know if it’ll end up being with Cleveland. Watch the Rams. They own Atlanta’s 1st plus their own.
I think the Rams focus on adding either an OT or grabbing one of them CB’s Adding Jordyn Tyson would be great too for this WR corps. Sheesh.
I don’t think the Giants finish at the 2 spot in the draft. They likely win a couple down the stretch, and even if they don’t they probably lose out on strength of schedule to raiders, saints, browns, jets, etc.
You don’t know if Malik is going to be the same after knee injury.carter a little baby.maybe trade thibodeux for for some draft picks. And after season get DART to go to a psychiatrist because he taking to many blows to the head.
There’s no market for diva WRs coming off serious injury. Ask Odell Beckham.