Were veteran Giants players surprised by firing of Brian Daboll?

Outsiders weren't shocked to learn on Monday that the New York Giants had parted ways with head coach Brian Daboll.

On Wednesday, veteran Giants players such as wide receiver Darius Slayton spoke publicly with media members for the first time since Monday's developments. Slayton was asked if the news was "a shock" to those inside the locker room. 

Giants didn't "assume" Brian Daboll move would be made during the season

"It was definitely a shock," Slayton said about Daboll's dismissal, per the Giants' website. "I mean, obviously, people write about it and all that, but in here, as long as people are showing up to work and you're showing up to work, you assume they're going to be here. We never assume that somebody's going to be gone, so it definitely was a shock to us as players. But at the same time, we also understand the business and how it goes."

The Giants went 11-33 under Daboll from the start of the 2023 season through the club's frustrating 24-20 loss at the Chicago Bears in Week 10. Big Blue is currently 2-8, and the 2025 Giants squandered four double-digit leads in four defeats from Week 2 through Week 10. 

"We tried, you know? It wasn't like we didn't go out there and give our best effort to get the wins that obviously would have ultimately helped him keep his job," Slayton added about Daboll. "We just weren't able to get that done. I wouldn't say regret is the word, but obviously you feel for him, feel for his family, and wish him the best."

Brian Burns addresses "tough" nature of Brian Daboll firing

Pass-rusher Brian Burns featured for the Carolina Panthers from 2019 through the 2023 campaign and, thus, is no stranger to experiencing an in-season coaching change. That doesn't mean he's not personally affected by losing the only full-time head coach he's had during his Giants tenure. 

"It's tough," Burns said about Daboll being shown the door. "You develop a relationship with somebody. You get to learn what they want, their ways, and they get to learn you as well. It's tough. It's like a breakup."

Interim head coach Mike Kafka is now tasked with guiding the Giants into the early days and weeks of the franchise's post-Daboll era. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Giants as 7.5-point underdogs for this coming Sunday's home game versus the Green Bay Packers (5-3-1).

"The goal is still to go out there Sunday and play our best, win the game," Burns added during his comments on Wednesday.