As had been expected, the New York Giants mercifully allowed general manager Dave Gettleman to enter into retirement Monday, fewer than 24 hours after Big Blue ended a woeful season at 4-13 under second-year head coach Joe Judge. Judge sits at 10-23 for his New York tenure but, per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, managed to survive "Black Monday".
Vacchiano added, however, that Judge met with Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch on Monday afternoon and could have more meetings with the pair "in the coming days before any final decision is made." Interestingly, Vacchiano also reports Judge wants to have a "hand" in the selection of Big Blue's next general manager and that the coach is keen on current Giants assistant GM Kevin Abrams, presumably because Abrams would retain Judge for at least the start of the 2022 season.
NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted:
I’m told in the #Giants 12p meeting Joe Judge told the team he’s still the head coach. To t/ coaches Judge acknowledged a need for his own ‘self-evaluation,’ said they’ll have a “good team next season” & “the answers are in this room.” He then entered a long meeting w/ ownership.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 10, 2022
Vacchiano reported Friday Giants ownership would "push" Judge to make wholesale changes to his offensive coaching staff to improve a unit that, per ESPN stats, finished the season 31st in total offense (287.3 yards) and points (15.2) per game. The latest update suggests conversations about such a potential overhaul haven't yet convinced Mara and Tisch to commit to Judge through the offseason.
Earlier in the day, quarterback Daniel Jones spoke highly of Judge and of continuing their relationship:
Giants QB Daniel Jones on still-Giants coach Joe Judge:
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) January 10, 2022
"I've learned a lot from him. I look forward to building this thing and winning more games."
pic.twitter.com/dPbpVECfKt
It remains unclear if Giants ownership would force a marriage between Judge and a GM or allow that executive to make a final call on Big Blue's coaching staff at some point down the road this winter.
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