Giants' John Harbaugh breaks silence on stunning Joe Schoen decision

New York Giants fans were stunned to learn in May that general manager Joe Schoen had signed a multiyear contract extension to stay in his role. 

After all, previous reports indicated that first-year Giants head coach and true head of football operations John Harbaugh would part ways with Schoen following this year's NFL Draft. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Harbaugh commented on the decision that left many outsiders downright baffled. 

John Harbaugh: Joe Schoen signing an extension is "a good thing" for the Giants

"I was happy," Harbaugh said about Schoen inking the extension, per the Giants' website. "He's a good guy. Enjoy working with him and looking forward to what we all can do together. That's a good thing." 

Pockets of Giants supporters understandably may not agree with Harbaugh's assessment. After all, teams assembled by Schoen went 13-38 from the start of the 2023 campaign through last season. Additionally, the fact that Giants senior vice president of football operations and strategy Dawn Aponte reports to Harbaugh instead of to Schoen left many assuming that Schoen was essentially surplus to requirements following the draft. 

How much say did John Harbaugh have in Joe Schoen decision? 

One theory is that Harbaugh "needs somebody to blame if this year doesn't go well" and could decide to fire Schoen in early 2027 if the club endures another losing season. On Wednesday, Harbaugh suggested that team ownership made the final decision to hand Schoen what remains a controversial extension in the eyes of some. 

"They asked me if I liked Joe, and I thought he did a good job, and I said, 'Yeah,'" Harbaugh explained about conversations he had with Giants co-owner John Mara and others associated with the franchise. "It's the decision of the people I respect -- I respect the ownership group. It's their call, and that's their call, and they made it, and I respect it. I think it's a good decision. I agree with it, but I think that's good. I'm excited." 

Time will tell if Giants fans will eventually share that excitement more than many do heading into the NFL's summer break.