The New York Giants have opted to retain general manager Dave Gettleman heading into the 2021 season.
When it comes to New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, nearly everyone has an opinion on him. Granted, it’s mostly negative, but he does have some supporters out there. At the end of the 2019 season, Giants owner John Mara decided to keep Gettleman so he could “finish what he’s started,” instead of sending him packing alongside then-head coach Pat Shurmur.
Here we are one year later, and the Giants finished with a 6-10 record. Yes, they were a Washington Football Team loss away from clinching the NFC East title, but that’s really nothing to write home about. Those who had called for Gettleman’s job last year probably won’t like the news that dropped to start this offseason.
On Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reported there are no indications the Giants will make a change at the general manager position. Hours later, the New York Post revealed that the Giants were indeed retaining Gettleman heading into the 2021 league year. That’s simply the wrong decision, especially if the organization wants to build upon this season.
Gettleman’s roster building has been suspect
The New York Giants had been mired in mediocrity ever since they won Super Bowl 46 back in 2012. Besides the one-off in 2016, the Giants had been cleaning out their lockers days after the conclusion of the regular season. Owner John Mara had been fed up with things, especially during the debacle that was the 2017 season, so he fired general manager Jerry Reese to bring in someone to lead the Giants back to their dominant, Super Bowl-winning ways.
So, Mara decided to hire Dave Gettleman to replace him, who had just been fired by the Carolina Panthers months earlier. He had promised to build the Giants into a winning organization that fans could be proud of. How’s it gone so far?
15-33 after three seasons with the team. Not exactly a return to their winning ways!
Granted, the 2020 season did provide promise for the Giants. Head coach Joe Judge appears to be the right man for the job as the players are competing and buying in to the culture. We’ll give Gettleman credit, as his free-agent signings of cornerback James Bradberry, linebacker Blake Martinez and defensive back Logan Ryan were solid in their first year in New York. That’s the thing, those were three good signings by Gettleman. We haven’t mentioned Gettleman giving contracts to the likes of Nate Solder, Jonathan Stewart, Patrick Omameh, Kareem Martin and Antoine Bethea. Those names send a chill down the spine of Giants fans across the globe.
There were many other questionable decisions made by Gettleman. The trade of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. mere months after signing him to a lucrative five-year contract. Drafting quarterback Daniel Jones sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft when Kentucky pass rusher Josh Allen was on the board. The trade for Alec Ogletree, who became one of the worst linebackers they’ve ever put on the field.
The Giants appear to be on the rise heading into the 2021 season, but Gettleman’s track record doesn’t prove that he deserves yet another year to “finish what he’s started.”