The New York Giants have officially terminated the contract of head coach Brian Daboll following a challenging three-plus years at the helm. Daboll”s tenure concluded with a disappointing regular season record of 20 wins, 40 losses, and 1 tie, including just one playoff appearance.
The decision to part ways with Daboll came after a devastating loss to the Chicago Bears, where the Giants squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. This marked the fourth time this season the team has faltered in the final moments of a game, leaving them with a 2-8 record for the third consecutive year.
A significant factor in Daboll”s dismissal was the injury to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who exited the game with a concussion after the third quarter. This incident marked the third concussion evaluation for Dart in just seven starts, and it was the first time he could not return to the field. Daboll expressed his regret over Dart”s injury, stating, “Unfortunate he got hurt.” With Dart already dealing with ankle and hamstring issues, his health was a growing concern.
Despite taking over as the Giants” starting quarterback only in Week 4, Dart has led the league with 25 designed quarterback runs. In recent weeks, Daboll had claimed he aimed to protect his quarterback while still trusting his competitiveness. However, it became increasingly apparent that Daboll”s inability to adjust his strategy contributed to the narrative that he was coaching primarily to secure his own position.
Under Daboll”s leadership, the Giants experienced a notable playoff run in his first season in 2022, which included a victory over the Vikings before a loss to the Eagles in the Divisional Round. He was even awarded the NFL”s Coach of the Year accolade that season. However, following that success, the team”s performance has declined sharply, leading to a dysfunctional environment.
While Daboll was recognized as a talented quarterback coach during his time with the Buffalo Bills, he struggled to develop Daniel Jones, who has since flourished with over 2,600 passing yards in Indianapolis. The Giants have now suffered through a franchise-record 11 consecutive road losses dating back to the previous season, as well as a streak of 10 straight losses last year.
Owner John Mara had expressed his desire to avoid a cycle of frequent coaching changes, which led to Daboll”s retention after last season. However, with the current trajectory of the team, it became untenable for Mara and co-owner Steve Tisch to keep Daboll in his role.
Moving forward, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will step in as the interim head coach as the Giants look to restore some semblance of competitiveness in the remainder of the season. This marks the fourth head coaching change for the franchise since the departure of two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin after the 2015 season.
