Buried nugget in 'Tank Bowl' report suggests Giants GM's job is safe

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Buried nugget in 'Tank Bowl' report suggests Giants GM Joe Schoen's job is inexplicably safe

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 7:10 PM ET

The "Tank Bowl" is an uncherished tradition in the NFL. It's when the two worst teams in the league meet late in the season, and the loser of the matchup will likely get the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.

This season's "Tank Bowl" between the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders — both tied for the worst record in football at 2-13 entering the contest — saw plenty of controversy. For the Raiders, superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby may be on the outs with the team after being shut down for the season due to an injury he believed he could play through.

For the Giants, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that if the Giants were to secure the No. 1 pick, they would evaluate 2025 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as a potential pick despite drafting quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round this year.

However, the most consequential bit of news was in the report's chyron, which said general manager Joe Schoen is likely to remain with the Giants for the draft. Schoen has put together teams that were within one loss of securing the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back seasons.

The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @MikeGarafolo: The latest on #Raiders edge Maxx Crosby, who was placed on IR yesterday despite wanting to play; When could we see #49ers star Fred Warner? #Steelers Pro Bowler TJ Watt (lung) will be back when it matters most. pic.twitter.com/2tl8uln0Jq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2025

Joe Schoen's job security depends on a quick turnaround

The head coach who Schoen came in with, Brian Daboll, was fired midway through the season by team ownership. Schoen's draft classes have also come under fire, as development has stalled for players like cornerback Deonte Banks or outright flops like offensive lineman Evan Neal, both first-rounders.

So, it would stand to reason that an executive under that much pressure with subpar results would be let go. Instead, it seems Schoen has done enough to convince team co-owner John Mara that there are enough young pieces on the team that'll lead to a quick turnaround if the Giants find the right head coach.

Just look at the Chicago Bears, who finished the 2024 season 5-12 and are now NFC North division champs under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Bears general manager Ryan Poles got the job in 2022, the same year Schoen started in New York, and has gone 15-36 the past three seasons. In comparison, the Giants under Schoen had a combined record of 18-32 over the same period.

So, a quick turnaround is certainly possible, but Schoen has had a large enough sample size that history suggests he won't be much better than he's been. He'll have to hope the next head coach hire is a home run.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

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