Giants legend scoffs at job security claims about Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll

New York Giants legend and current NFL analyst Tiki Barber thinks it's laughable that some believe team co-owner John Mara is thinking about possibly parting ways with general manager Joe Schoen and/or head coach Brian Daboll, depending on what occurs this season.

"This narrative that this is a make-or-break season for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll is absolute nonsense," Barber explained during Wednesday's edition of the WFAN afternoon show, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "Clearly, they have a plan in place and know exactly what they’re trying to do. Yeah, there’s some twists and turns…but the way they navigated it, it made me feel really good about our organization."

Specifically, Barber was reacting to the latest episode of the "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants" program that featured Mara, making it clear he wanted to hold onto star running back Saquon Barkley. Schoen instead let Barkley reach free agency, and the 27-year-old ultimately signed a three-year, $37.75M deal that could be worth up to $46.75M with $26M fully guaranteed to join the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants have some editorial control over what airs on "Hard Knocks." Thus far, the program has shown that Mara "doesn’t strong-arm personnel decisions" as some have thought. Meanwhile, Barber suggested Schoen and Daboll have the club heading in the right direction although New York finished the 2023 season at 6-11.

"This solidifies to me that the Giants are in good hands," Barber added on Wednesday.

Barber has openly discussed having conversations with Mara about matters related to the Giants, but that doesn't necessarily mean the retired running back is right about the short-term futures of Schoen and Daboll. It was reported earlier this week that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick "intends to coach in 2025." Belichick served as an assistant and as defensive coordinator with the Giants from 1979 through the 1990 season, has been linked with the organization since at least January of this year, and remains 15 wins away from setting an NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined).

Unless Mara publicly closes the door on possibly reaching out to Belichick, the 72-year-old could cast quite a shadow over the Giants across the next six months.