EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants find themselves adrift, navigating through turbulent waters, and co-owner John Mara appears bewildered on how to steer the franchise back to stability.

After witnessing one of the bleakest seasons in the team’s storied 100-year history, Mara’s decision to keep general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for a fourth season raises more questions than it answers.

Just 18 years ago, Tom Coughlin had to fight to justify his fourth season following back-to-back playoff appearances. The contrast with today is striking. The Giants limped through a disastrous 3-14 season, culminating in a humiliating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles' second-stringers. This dismal performance followed a lackluster 6-11 record in 2023—a scenario that left Mara this summer proclaiming, “I expect us to take a big step forward this year.” Instead, the Giants seem to have fallen even further behind.

Mara acknowledged the shortcomings with stark honesty, stating, “We stunk this year.” However, his conflicting remarks create an unsettling feeling. He voiced a belief that they are heading in the right direction despite admitting to “running out of patience.” He celebrated personnel evaluations as the best he’s ever seen, yet he wavered on whether the roster has improved since the 2022 season.

The co-owner expressed frustration over the glaring holes in the team's composition, urging for a swift turnaround. Mara also defended Schoen and Daboll against accusations of tanking, insisting, “If I had thought that we were tanking, I would have fired everybody.” Yet, the Giants’ performance leaves an undeniable ache for accountability.

Ownership’s approach appears rooted in avoiding the cyclical chaos of frequent overhauls. Mara noted the pitfalls of past impatience, advocating for a steady path forward to rebuild the franchise. Yet, this steadfastness seems misguided as indicators of progress remain scarce.

Despite Daboll’s acclaim as the NFL Coach of the Year in 2022, the team is currently mired in a record-setting 10-game losing streak and has not won a single game in the NFC East this season. The Giants stand at a dismal 1-12 against traditional rivals the Eagles and Cowboys under this regime, marking the darkest chapter in Giants' memory.

While marauding through self-reproach during his season-ending address—saying “nobody's more frustrated than I am”—Mara failed to unveil a clear vision for the team's future. The Giants sport the worst record in the NFL over the past eight seasons, demonstrating that firing personnel hasn’t yielded success, leaving many to question the wisdom of continuity.

With pressure mounting, Schoen will need to deliver results by 2025, a timeline that essentially forces risky decisions, including a potential spree in free agency similar to past mistakes made by former management. This raises the stakes concerning the franchise quarterback, a position the team has struggled with for years.

Mara admitted, “The quarterback is the big issue.” His faith in solving this dilemma is baffling considering their previous misfires, including a faulty four-year, $160 million contract for Daniel Jones, which proved disastrous. The missed opportunity during last year’s draft to choose a quarterback in favor of a wide receiver, Malik Nabers—who is already shining—hollows out their strategic credibility.

As the Giants hold the third pick in the upcoming draft—teetering behind two teams desperately in need of a quarterback—the likelihood of pursuing a seasoned quarterback through trade or signing becomes increasingly viable. Mara's urgency to find that elusive signal-caller suggests the franchise may take aggressive steps.

Nonetheless, the damage is not limited to the quarterback position. Mara criticized the team's defensive performance under new coordinator Shane Bowen, hinting at possible changes ahead. The defense ranked poorly, while the offense finished 31st in scoring; this indicates a complete overhaul might be necessary.

Daboll has already made waves by removing play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, indicative of the desperation to turn results around. With Kafka potentially coveted by other teams, the question now becomes whether the Giants will allow him the opportunity to leverage that interest, or face yet another learning curve in the coaching staff.

In a reflective moment, Mara revealed, “If I’m standing here a year from now, and we’re having the same conversation, I’ll take the heat for it.” This sentiment evokes thoughts of past Giants' triumphs under Coughlin, who endured and ultimately thrived. As it stands, however, the road ahead looks more daunting than ever for a team and its fanbase yearning for a return to greatness. The question remains—can John Mara navigate these choppy waters and save the Giants from a sinking ship?