The conclusion of the NFL regular season has ushered in “Black Monday,” a day when numerous teams make significant changes by firing underperforming coaches and general managers. Notably, the New York Giants have opted to retain GM Joe Schoen, a decision that has become a recurring theme for the franchise in January.
Every year, the Giants seem to issue a statement expressing their frustration while announcing they will keep key personnel. This year is no exception, and it comes as a relief to the other teams in the NFC East. Schoen, along with head coach Brian Daboll, was brought on board during the 2022 offseason. Their initial efforts were promising, as the team achieved a record of 9-7-1 and made the playoffs. However, the following seasons have seen a detrimental decline. In 2023, the Giants recorded a disappointing 6-11, followed by a disastrous 3-14 finish in 2024. The 2025 season continued the trend, leading to Daboll”s firing after a 2-8 start, with the team concluding the year at 4-13.
Schoen”s overall record since taking the helm stands at 22-45-1, with a point differential of -347. Fans of the Giants have had little to celebrate, especially since two of their wins this season came in the final games, which prevented them from securing the top pick in the upcoming draft. Instead, they will select fifth, marking the seventh time in nine years that their initial pick has been in the top six.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals made headlines by firing head coach Jonathan Gannon. The team began the 2025 season with a 2-0 record but then faltered dramatically, losing 13 of their last 14 games to finish at 3-14. Gannon”s brief tenure resulted in a career record of 15-36. His time with the Cardinals was marred by several cringe-worthy moments, including a controversial introductory press conference and a dubious “bus” speech during their “Cardinals Flight Plan” series.
Prior to Gannon, the Cardinals had experienced instability in their coaching staff, with Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Wilks both failing to find success in their respective tenures. Gannon”s hiring always raised questions, especially after his Super Bowl blunder with the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite some national speculation that Gannon might keep his job, the Cardinals made the clear decision to move on.
Additionally, the Washington Commanders have also seen changes, firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt after a season where their defense ranked 27th in points allowed. Whitt had previously made headlines leading up to the NFC Championship Game with bold declarations, only for his defense to falter significantly.
As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen what further changes will occur across the league, with speculation about potential hires and shifts continuing to dominate the conversation.
