Giants must 'clear out $40 million' under new GM Joe Schoen?
The New York Giants have once again hit the figurative reset button following a fifth consecutive losing season. They spent the opening weeks of the offseason hiring ex-Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen to be their new general manager and then naming former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as their next head coach.
It appears such moves are only the beginning of a badly-needed rebuilding project.
Schoen suggested last week he's committed to allowing quarterback Daniel Jones to keep his job through at least Week 1 in September, but New York's front office must make a decision about the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract at some point this spring. According to Peter King's "Football Morning in America," Schoen and company won't be shying away from making other large calls ahead of the opening of the new league year in March.
"Schoen told me Saturday he’ll have to clear out $40 million from a bloated and mismanaged salary cap this spring," the column states.
Schoen told King:
"When we first got to Buffalo, we had $55 million in dead cap money we had to manage. We had a plan there, and we’ll have one here. We may have to make some decisions that hurt, but I do not want to kick the can down the road with the cap. I want to get it fixed."
As King continues, this teases Schoen could "blow things up" regarding the current roster, essentially punt on 2022, and stockpile assets to pursue Jones' replacement via either next year's draft or a trade for a proven commodity looking for a fresh start next winter.
Giants co-owner John Mara preached patience during Monday's event that introduced Daboll to local media members:
Jones may be given chances to prove his worth to the Giants next fall, but he could also find himself as part of a roster that's worse than the squad that won only four games in the 2021 campaign.
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