Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms feels bullish about his former team's chances of turning things around next season.
So said the Giants Ring of Honor member in an interview with The U.S. Sun, in which he thought the Giants would be able to build on the 9-7-1 record established in the first year of head coach Brian Daboll's tenure before things fell apart at the seams for the Giants.
After reaching the playoffs and winning a playoff game, injuries and, according to Simms, a little bad luck led to the Giants having a disappointing 2023 season.
"I didn't think they would probably have the same season they did the year before (2022)," Simms said. "But I thought they would have a decent year — and would be a year away from being a serious contender."
The Giants didn't have much luck on their side in close games or when it came to health. Four of the Giants' 11 losses this season came by one possession or less in a season where New York's roster was ravished with injuries.
"I think they were a little unfortunate about three games," Simms said. "They lost some unbelievable games. They could have ended up winning nine games this past year. It just didn't fall for them, which it did the year before."
Simms said the Giants could turn their fortunes around just as quickly as the Houston Texans did with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
The Giants find themselves in a similar position as Houston was last offseason, needing to fill multiple positions with quality players and an upgrade in play at the quarterback position. One of those positions is widely believed to be quarterback, given the regression of starter Daniel Jones, who is also now dealing with a torn ACL on top of everything else.
After finishing 3-13-1 last season, the Texans drafted Stroud second overall in last year's draft, hired a new head coach, and proceeded to go 10-7 with a playoff victory this season. Simms thinks the Giants could make a similar run in 2024.
"I think they'll be very, very competitive when it comes to next year. It doesn't take a lot. They're solid. And if it clicks, you can just kind of come out of nowhere," he said.
The key to the Giants' chances of turning things around will undoubtedly focus on much more than the quarterback, as many positions need to be addressed. However, if they hope to be successful next season, the Giants will need better play and health from their quarterback position, in addition to upgrading other positions around the quarterback.
"I know it's the quarterback," Simms said. "But it's more than just that."
More must-reads: