Schoen's Offseason Strategy Underlines Giants' Offense

As the NFL transitions from the player-acquisition phase of the offseason to the ramp-up toward real action, there is time to reflect on the teams that improved the most in March and April.

Among them is undoubtedly the New York Giants, who went from disastrous to below-average under center by signing Russell Wilson. In due time, Jaxson Dart will replace him. On the other side of the ball, the Giants added a blue-chip prospect in Abdul Carter, two quality starters in the secondary, and third-round tackle Darius Alexander.

On paper, this team is destined to win more games, even with one of the league’s hardest schedules.

However, there is plenty of room for this offense to fall short of expectations. Wilson is an easy upgrade at quarterback, but his limitations are real and, often, debilitating. He can struggle in the quick game, prefers to avoid the middle of the field, and can try and make plays his athleticism can no longer pull off.

That isn’t the end of the world, but New York didn’t do him any favors, either. The Giants’ offseason strategy will reveal the truth about general manager Joe Schoen’s evaluation of his offense.

New York will return 10 starters on offense, exchanging only at its most important position. Schoen is gambling that the entirety of the offense’s problems fell on Daniel Jones’ shoulder.

His confidence isn’t necessarily valid. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was promising as a rookie, but even the addition of Cam Skattebo fails to make it an above-average backfield. Receiver Malik Nabers is a star, although Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson are adequate (and limited) starters. Tight end and center project to be holes, and neither guard spot possesses much upside.

A year ago, the Giants’ offensive line was fine until Andrew Thomas got hurt. Can that unit survive another Thomas injury? Can Wilson?

New York made a handful of quality moves to make its defense one of the league’s best. But there are still plenty of paths to this offense falling flat, which doesn’t serve Wilson, Dart, or Schoen well in a pivotal season.