New Giants Rumors on Joe Schoen Hot Seat, Replacement Target amid John Harbaugh Buzz After NFL Draft

While teams typically don't wait until after the draft to fire the general manager, that could be what happens with the New York Giants and Joe Schoen.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported Monday morning on CBS New York there's a sense that "anything is on the board right now." Some think he could be fired as early as this week. Others believe he'll work through the remainder of his contract, which expires after the 2026 NFL season:

The Athletic's Dan Duggan presented a similar narrative, though it sounds like Schoen's job is safe for now.

"Many observers were surprised Schoen survived Harbaugh's hiring and have questioned if he will remain after the draft," Duggan wrote. "There have been no indications from the Giants that Schoen's job is in jeopardy."

The Giants insider added that "most of the questions about Schoen's job security are coming from outside the Giants' facility."

In terms of potentially keeping Schoen, Duggan posited that "there's no downside to a 'lame-duck GM,'" so waiting to make a final decision until next offseason could be the play.

Dawn Aponte, New York's senior vice president of football operations and strategy, could have the inside track if a change is made. Duggan wrote "she's viewed by league sources as Schoen's potential successor."

Aponte has worked for the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, and she was the NFL's chief administrator of football operations from 2017-26 before joining the Giants in February.

John Harbaugh's arrival as head coach led some to wonder whether Schoen, who wasn't fired alongside Brian Daboll last fall, was on borrowed time.

The Athletic's Ian O'Connor reported in January that one condition for Harbaugh was that he "needed it in writing that he would report to [CEO] John Mara, and not to Schoen."

The Super Bowl XLVII winner seemed to confirm that during his introductory press conference.

"We all report to the boss. And the boss is ownership," he told reporters.

However, Harbaugh tried to present a unified front with Schoen:

New York has spent a total of $171.7 million on free agents this offseason, though there isn't a singular signing who raises the team's ceiling. The team also traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence following his contract standoff, and another defensive cornerstone, Kayvon Thibodeaux, has been the subject of trade rumors.

The general consensus is that Harbaugh and Schoen at least got good value for Lawrence by flipping him for the No. 10 overall pick. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox also gave the Giants a B-plus grade for their draft haul, a group headlined by Ohio State linebacker/edge-rusher Arvell Reese and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.

If Schoen is ultimately given the boot before the start of the regular season, it will reinforce the idea that Harbaugh was guiding much of what New York did in free agency and the draft.