Giants on Hard Knocks: 11 things we learned from episode 1 (2024)

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Although the show addressed the hiring of Shane Bowen (more on that later), it completely glossed over the blowup between head coach Brian Daboll and former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

In fact, at least in the first episode, it failed to address the offseason coaching turnover entirely. There was no video, no audio, and no discussion about the firings and departures.

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Speaking of Daboll, he barely appeared in the first episode… and that may have been by design.

During Giants 100: A Night with Legends, Daboll revealed that he wasn’t a big fan of the cameras and would play copyrighted music in his office (and Joe Schoen’s office) so that HBO couldn’t use any of the footage.

However, that tactic didn’t travel with Daboll, who appears set for a larger role in the show’s second episode.

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From the moment the 2023 season ended, Schoen began commiserating about what to do with star running back Saquon Barkley.

The first episode largely focused on the Barkley situation and what hand the Giants would play, which included strong consideration of a potential tag-and-trade. However, Schoen feared getting stuck with the 27-year-old Barkley at a cap hit of $12 million, so they ultimately passed on that gamble.

The entire brain structure of the organization appeared very torn over what to do with Barkley, showing concern over his age and injury history while also acknowledging that he was the best available running back and still had explosive traits.

Few believed Barkley would strike it big on the open market but Schoen wouldn’t rule out the possibility. Director of pro scouting Chris Rossetti, meanwhile, seemed convinced someone was going to spend big for Saquon.

Specifically, Rossetti thought the Philadelphia Eagles would overpay for Barkley but Schoen didn’t agree. He thought Philly would spend big on their defensive backfield.

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For co-owner John Mara, the realization that the team was going to lose Barkley hurt. He looked physically ill at the prospect and while some will argue that he was meddling, his conversation with Schoen seemed more like a therapy session.

Mara was never shy about expressing his desire to keep Barkley in blue but in the end, he let Schoen make the call.

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The Giants focused much of their early attention on scouting the available running backs and preparing to replace Barkley. Devin Singletary, whom they ultimately signed, appeared to be a target from the get-go but Schoen & Co. left no stone unturned.

Among those also given consideration were Zack Moss, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, and a multitude of others.

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There was concern that losing Barkley would reshape the offense. How would the Giants fill that void?

Schoen made it clear that they aren’t paying quarterback Daniel Jones $40 million per season to hand the ball off. The general manager intends for DJ to become the face of the offense and built his entire offseason blueprint around better serving his QB.

“This is the year for Daniel,” Schoen said. “The plan all along was to give him a couple of years.”

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Although Schoen remains committed to Jones (for now), he did repeatedly express concern over DJ’s injury history — and not just the torn ACL.

Schoen mentioned “protecting” themselves in the event of another Jones injury, but the show didn’t delve further into those conversations. Yet. That is likely to be a larger topic in future episodes.

Ultimately, Schoen’s early focus was on improving the offensive line and adding more dynamic talent at the skill positions. Unfortunately, they began their offseason planning with the expectation that tight end Darren Waller would be a major player.

They’ll likely cover that situation in the coming weeks.

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Everything that Schoen has said in public about the offensive line was also said in private. For those who simply thought he was blowing smoke when it came to DJ playing behind that unit, he wasn’t.

Schoen lamented the crippling injuries that ruined the 2023 season and remarked, again, that Jones stood absolutely no chance. He even repeated a line that has generated fan fury when expressed by writers (cough, cough)…

“He didn’t have much of a chance this year. You could have (expletive) Patrick Mahomes behind our line and he isn’t winning,” Schoen said. “I’m not giving up on (Jones). He’s under contract for three more years. Just protecting ourselves because the best predictor of the future is the past.”

The remark was specific to their Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins but Schoen made it abundantly clear that DJ’s early regression was a result of historically bad pass protection.

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In the moments leading up to the hire of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Daboll remarked about the run defense in Tennessee.

Bowen’s defense was in the top 10 of several statistical categories that Daboll honed in on.

While Bowen emphasizes an organic pass rush — something he discussed during the episode — his defenses have historically fared well against the run. It’s apparent that Daboll is looking for him to bring that success to East Rutherford.

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The Giants’ biggest offseason move was the acquisition of linebacker Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. And those trade discussions started very early on — much earlier than anyone realized.

The topic was first broached during a Senior Bowl practice when Panthers general manager Dan Morgan asked Schoen if he’d trade two first-round picks for the talented edge rusher. Schoen said he’d love to but wouldn’t, which led Morgan to ask for a “one-plus.”

The show didn’t look ahead in those negotiations (yet), but Schoen ultimately talked Morgan down to a second-round and fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and a conditional fifth-round choice in 2025.

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The Giants focused a significant amount of time looking at the available nose tackles/defensive tackles early on in the offseason. They dreamt aloud about pairing Chris Jones with Dexter Lawrence and how dominant the duo would be.

Obviously, Jones was out of their price range.

Lawrence also had a pitch of his own, texting Schoen about Christian Wilkins, who he calls his “best friend.”

Wilkins was brought up during a personnel meeting but was obviously not signed. He instead landed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a four-year, $110 million deal.