The New York Giants are in a state of déjà vu that feels less like a dream and more like a recurring nightmare.
With Brian Daboll packed up and gone mid-season, the “win-now” mentality has officially left the building, replaced by that all-too-familiar rebuilding vibe.
For a minute there, it looked like General Manager Joe Schoen was going to survive the purge. The thinking was he’d get another crack at fixing this roster in 2026. But after this latest losing skid, and let’s be honest, that shaky bye-week press conference didn’t do him any favors: the seat is getting awfully warm. If ownership decides to pull the plug on the Schoen era, where do they turn?
Here’s a look at the names that should be at the top of the Mara family’s wishlist, plus the one guy currently in the building they absolutely need to lock inside before he gets away.
The GM Candidates: Who Could Take the Reins?
- The Rival Poach: Alec Halaby (Eagles)
If you can’t beat ‘em, hire the guy who knows their secrets. Howie Roseman is widely considered the gold standard for GMs right now, so why not take a swing at his right-hand man?
Alec Halaby isn’t your traditional “football guy.” At 38, he’s young and brings a different flavor to the table. He’s been with Philly for 16 years, climbing the ladder from the strategy side to Assistant GM. He’s an analytics guru, a data-driven mind who looks at the game through a modern lens. If the Giants want to stop chasing the past and finally step into the modern age of football operations, Halaby is the swing for the fences.
- The Reunion: Ray Agnew (Lions)
Sometimes you just want someone who knows what it means to be a Giant. Ray Agnew isn’t just a former Giant from the late 90s; he’s currently helping build a juggernaut in Detroit.
As the Assistant GM to Brad Holmes, Agnew has been right there in the trenches helping construct a Lions roster that went from laughingstock to perennial contender. He’s got the scouting chops and the personnel history that matters. The Giants need a rebuild, but maybe they don’t need a total tear-down: they just need someone who has seen exactly how a proper turnaround is executed. Agnew has the blueprint.
- The Steady Hand: Ed Dodds (Colts)
Ed Dodds has been the “next big thing” in GM circles for years, and for good reason. As the Assistant GM in Indianapolis since 2018, he’s been instrumental in building a roster that’s arguably one of the deepest in the AFC.
He’s got his fingerprints all over the Colts’ draft strategy and personnel evaluation. He brings a level of experience and stability that a first-time GM rarely possesses. If New York wants a guy who commands the room and brings a stabilizing energy to a frantic front office, Dodds is the heavy hitter they should be calling.
- The In-House Options: Brown and Abrams
If John Mara doesn’t want to look too far, he’s got options down the hall. Brandon Brown, the current Assistant GM, is a rising star in his own right. He’s young, progressive, and mixes pro-personnel savvy with a college scouting background. He’s already interviewing for top jobs elsewhere, so the league clearly sees his value.
Then there’s Kevin Abrams, the Senior VP of Football Ops. He’s been with Big Blue for 27 seasons. He knows the cap inside and out and is a fixture in the organization.
The reality? If Schoen gets the boot, promoting from within feels like a half-measure. You usually don’t fire the boss and promote his lieutenant if you’re looking for a fresh start. Expect the Giants to look outside if they make a move.
The One Guy Who Must Stay: Carmen Bricillo
While the front office is in flux and the coaching staff is likely getting cleared out, there is one clipboard-holder who needs to stay put: Offensive Line Coach Carmen Bricillo.
Seriously, put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on his office door.
We all remember the horror show that was the 2023 offensive line, giving up a league-high 85 sacks. It was unwatchable. Enter Bricillo in 2024, and suddenly, things stabilized. He cut the sack total down to 48 that year, and he did it without Andrew Thomas for most of the season.
This year? The line is surrendering fewer pressures and looks… competent? Dare I say, good? PFF has them ranked as the 13th-best unit in the league. A few years ago, a ranking that high would have felt like a typo. Bricillo has turned Jermaine Eluemunor into a stud and is finally getting consistent play out of John Michael Schmitz.
When you find a coach who can turn your biggest weakness into a legitimate strength, you don’t let him walk out the door just because the Head Coach got fired. Keep Bricillo, no matter what.
