New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen might be one of the happiest men in the NFL after preseason Week 1. Following a grueling 2024 campaign in which the Giants stumbled to a 3-14 finish, there was little for him to smile about and his seat was warm. But Saturday's 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills gave Schoen something he's been searching for: a reason to feel a bit of relief.
The reason? The performances of the Giants' two first-round picks.
On Monday, CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan opined that Joe Schoen was the winner of preseason Week 1 after the performances of No. 3 pick Abdul Carter and No. 25 pick Jaxson Dart.
"He may end up saving his job thanks to his pair of first-round rookies," Sullivan wrote. ... "In their debuts, it's hard not to like the early returns."
Against the Buffalo Bills, both Carter and Dart made immediate impressions. Sullivan wrote, "Starting with Carter, he played just six plays on the afternoon, but made the most of it. Of those six snaps, three were pass-rushing snaps. On all three of those snaps, he applied pressures."
Dart had a longer stint on the field and looked just as impressive. Taking over after Russell Wilson's opening drive, he connected on 12 of 19 pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown, while also recording 24 rushing yards.
This season could be the final chance for both Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to turn the Giants around. Rumors swirled after last year's disappointing finish that the franchise might explore other options.
They need to deliver success now, or it could mean the end of the road for both in New York.