Bombshell report makes Giants' Joe Schoen decision so much more embarrassing

After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, you’d think the New York Giants would take a hard look in the mirror. Instead, co-owner John Mara has decided to keep general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll in place, citing vague confidence in their “vision.”

Now, thanks to a scathing report from Jordan Raanan at ESPN, we know just how bad the dysfunction ran—and it makes Schoen’s retention look like a slap in the face to anyone who values competence.

Among the report's highlights: a locker room plagued by mistrust, baffling personnel decisions, and a GM who, at best, comes across as tone-deaf and, at worst, like he’s running a tyrannical HOA instead of an NFL team. It’s a mess, and Schoen’s starring role as the villain is becoming harder to ignore.

Let’s talk about Nick McCloud, a respected cornerback whose midseason saga perfectly captures the chaos. Spoiler: It involves Schoen telling McCloud’s reps not to bother paying their rent.

Joe Schoen's handling of Nick McCloud paints a truly ugly picture

Here’s a masterclass in how not to handle player relations. Before Week 4 against Dallas, Joe Schoen asked Nick McCloud—who was set to start that game—to take a pay cut from his $2.98 million contract. McCloud refused, understandably. But Schoen’s response? According to multiple sources, he told McCloud’s representatives:

“Don’t pay October’s rent, all right? As soon as I can replace him, I’m going to replace him. I’m not f****** around.”

Weeks later, Schoen cut McCloud, citing financial flexibility. The Giants saved a whopping $1.4 million—just enough to snag a mid-tier free agent in Madden. But the fallout was immediate. McCloud’s teammates, who saw him as a leader in the locker room, were furious.

The message was clear: Loyalty doesn’t matter, and you’re expendable at Schoen’s whim.

This wasn’t an isolated incident, either. The report details players being misled about roles, playing time, and even contract negotiations. Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson called out the team’s baffling decision to start Tommy DeVito over Drew Lock, saying, “That was definitely something we didn't know what was going on at that point.” Others described the environment as one of “distrust” where players felt alienated and undervalued.

It’s one thing to build a bad roster—that happens. But when players don’t trust their GM, and coaches can’t communicate with their team, you’re talking about foundational cracks that no amount of draft picks or free-agent signings can plaster over.

It’s just so exhausting, isn’t it? Like, how many times do we have to watch this team trip over its own feet? The constant drama, the tone-deaf decisions, and now players openly saying they don’t trust the front office. It’s not just embarrassing—it’s downright soul-crushing for fans who just want to see this team act like it has a clue.

And Schoen’s supposed to be the guy to fix this? The same guy who couldn’t handle Nick McCloud’s contract situation without turning it into a middle-school lunchroom fight? The same guy who watched Saquon walk to Philly and then tried to convince Giants fans Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle were the answers at quarterback?

It’s infuriating that someone who’s botched so many key decisions is still the one steering the ship. How are fans supposed to believe he’ll suddenly get it right?

The Giants now face an offseason where they must find a franchise quarterback and overhaul a broken culture simultaneously.

That’s a tall order for someone who thought slashing McCloud’s paycheck midseason was a savvy move. Schoen might have Mara’s vote of confidence for the short term, but it’s hard to see how this team moves forward with a GM who appears more interested in winning power plays than football games.

For Giants fans, it’s a familiar refrain. Ownership preaches stability, but the results scream dysfunction. And unless Schoen pulls off a miracle this offseason, the only thing stable about the Giants will be their place in the NFC East basement.