The New York Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman are going their separate ways after four long and unsuccessful years. Head coach Joe Judge’s time could also soon be up – but the 40-year-old’s role swings wildly between having a say and being fired early.

Something like this should also be dealt with the personnel matter of Dave Gettleman. The general manager thus managed to hang on for four long years with the Giants. A horror record of 19-46 stands. No seasons with a positive record. No playoffs.

Yet the 70-year-old was not fired. He himself took his hat off before they could put the resignation letter on his desk. He was given the opportunity to enjoy the last home game against the Washington Football Team with his family in the stadium.

Gettleman was given a dignified exit. “It was a privilege to serve the franchise for the last four years. We obviously didn’t have the success on the field that I expected. It’s very disappointing,” he summed up in his farewell statement.

New York Giants always between expectation and disappointment

The words “expectation” and “disappointment” are either very close together, or miles apart. Gettleman was disappointed because of his expectations. New York Giants fans expected disappointment.

This is largely because of the decisions Gettleman has made in recent years. Saquon Barkley, who was selected second overall in the draft as a running back, even though a Manning successor in terms of prospects had long been a need.

A year later, the drafting of Daniel Jones, who in three years has failed to sustainably prove he can be a franchise quarterback in the league.

The O-line, which Gettleman addressed at the start of his tenure and said he wanted to “fix,” is not one bit improved in 2021, but rather in worse shape.

New York Giants: Dave Gettleman no longer contemporary enough

Gettleman seemed stuck in time to some extent. The team’s analytics department, he said, were just “computer guys”. The pictures of the virtual draft, which showed him with a thick folder and a lot of paperwork in front of the computer, while all the other general managers surrendered to the age of digitalisation, were emblematic of this.

https://twitter.com/TheClemReport/status/1252973282044846080

So with the vacancy in the position, it’s an opportunity for the franchise to finally look forward again. “It’s an understatement to say that John Mara and I are disappointed because of the lack of success,” said team owner Steve Tisch. “We are united in our commitment to find a general manager who will provide the right direction to achieve the on-field performances and results we all expect here,” he continues.

At the same time, reports contradict each other as to what the search for the new general manager will actually look like. The role of Head Coach Joe Judge, in particular, still seems unclear.

New York Giants: Three possibilities around Joe Judge

The first and probably easiest possibility: Judge is fired. Though it was reported before the last game against the football team that the franchise wanted to give Judge another year. However, the wind shifted in a direction Monday that could have the 40-year-old sweating again.

NFL insider Jay Glazer of “Fox Sports” reported he’s only 25 percent sure the Giants will keep Judge. Talks with owners Mara and Tisch are probably still pending. The decision would only be made after that.

With a Judge dismissal, the franchise would face a complete, and arguably necessary, shake-up in athletic management. The new general manager could hire the new head coach along with the management team and would be on the same page with the coach immediately.

The second option, however, is for Judge to stay. For now. The GM would then make the decision whether to allow him to continue coaching or not. “The new general manager will have a say in Judge’s future. While the organisation had hoped to continue with him, we’ll see how the new GM, whoever that will be, decides on the athletic structures,” “ESPN” insider Adam Schefter said of the situation.

In that case, Judge would introduce himself to the new strongman. He can present his idea of the game and explain why he could not get the Giants in shape athletically. That way, the team’s future is at the discretion of the new GM, who is immediately above the coach in the food chain and can make the power structure clear – no matter what choice he makes.

New York Giants: say for Joe Judge?

But there’s a third possibility that would throw all that out the window.

For as Giants reporter Ralph Vacchiano of “SNY” claims, Judge has reportedly made claims in the course of the GM search. He wants to have a say and be part of the decision, he says.

The controversial head coach would thus not only secure his job, but also be part of arguably the most important decision of the next few years. A concession that the 40-year-old is far from earning.

While he can cite Dave Gettleman’s poor squad and some injuries, it doesn’t change the bare numbers and his coaching style.

New York Giants: Numbers speak for themselves

Judge is the first Giants coach to lose 13 games in a season. First time the Giants have lost six straight games with a double-digit point differential. A ridiculous five (!) touchdowns have been caught by Giants receivers all season.

Added to this is the partial refusal to provide analytical help in deciding between playing 4th down and punting/field goal. The conservative coaching style bore no fruit and left questions unanswered.

THE scene of the game day: when the Giants played a quarterback sneak in front of their own end zone twice in a row at 2nd&11 and 3rd&9 last Sunday.

It doesn’t even take the obvious coaching errors – throwing a challenge flag and giving up a timeout on a touchdown that’s checked by the refs anyway, for example – to find enough reason to fire Judge.

New York Giants: Judge’s way doesn’t get through

His kind doesn’t seem to be getting through either. Judge wanted to establish a tough and discipline-based culture in New York. Players have to run laps regularly, there should be no sloppiness. However, this only works if success is eventually achieved.

With defeat after defeat, Judge can no longer be taken seriously as a Beinhart coach. Jay Glazer, for example, claims to have heard from some players in the dressing room that they were through with Judge.

“ESPN pundit Ryan Clark recently made it clear: “He’s always acting big, strong and tough, but he just can’t win games. I wouldn’t even be mad if he was down to earth and not so arrogant and pretending to be Bill Belichick.”

He would be greatly surprised if the Giants gave this coach any say in the new GM’s decision. The power structure wouldn’t be right and the general manager would immediately find himself in a conflict of interest over the question of Judge’s future.

The head coach is said to have made a strong case for Gettleman’s assistant, Kevin Abrams. He would work well with him and know that Abrams would keep him in office.

According to the New York Post, however, Abrams is not an option. Instead, they are looking outside their own ranks for a successor for the time being – unusual for the “Big Blue” family franchise.

New York Giants: Joe Judge remains confident

Whether Judge has another candidate in his quiver is unclear.

In any case, the wobbly chair doesn’t change the good path he sees himself on: “I know we’re closer than far from being a competitive team again. I’ll leave it at that.” He would have learned a lot again during the season and believes he can give the team a lot.

Self-confidence is still there despite all the criticism after ten wins and 23 losses in the NFL. Whether the competence is also enough will be shown by owners Mara and Tisch with their several options.

Fire, keep or have a say.

Whatever they decide. The traditional blue franchise currently has nothing to do with clean leadership and calm.