Giants or co-owner John Mara have not been officially announced on Wednesday to announce that Dave Gettleman is returning as general manager.
Asked about this, Mara smiled and said, “Well, come back, if you want an official announcement about it.”
Clearly, there was nothing to weigh in Mara’s mind if she had to get past Gettleman. The reason for the return is not entirely based on the team’s performance – Giants finished 6-10 this season and again failed in the playoffs – but rather on the road to Gettleman and Joe Judge, the head coach of the first year, worked as allies in the first year together.
“He and Dave worked very well together,” Mara said. “We thought all our staff decisions had improved significantly this year. They managed to agree on every decision I made. We thought our project was solid, our free agency moves were solid, and I think we have the foundation for something that can be very successful in the future. “
Gettleman, who turns 70 next month, made it 9-23 in his first two years, leading the entire football operation. There is no change in the structure of the way the organization deals with finding and procuring players.
“The general manager and head coach collaborate on staff decisions,” Mara said. “Hey, they didn’t agree 100% of the time, except for my father [franchise patriarch Wellington Mara] he used to say, “If you both agree all the time, then I don’t need both.” I didn’t have to mediate on one occasion to break ties.
“They managed to discuss it and solve it, they showed good communication and at the end of the day the decision that is taken is a decision of the New York Giants, it is not the decision of Joe or Dave. They have collaborated very well and this is one of the reasons why I am optimistic about our future.
“I just didn’t think making a change right now would be beneficial.”
Mara praised the job the Judge did in his first year as head coach at any level. The Giants started 0-5 and were 1-7 in the middle of the season, but gathered to go 5-3 in the second half of the season.
“Looking back a year ago, I can tell you that we are very happy with the selection we made for the head coach,” said Mara. “I thought Joe did a very good job, considering what he was dealing with.
“Here you have a new 38-year-old head coach and look at what he was asked to do, a pandemic, no off-season schedule, no mini-camps, no pre-season games, virtual meetings, protocols which are constantly changing and he loses his best player [Saquon Barkley] in Week 2. I thought he showed excellent leadership and great adaptability, nothing seemed to amaze him during the year. Something needs to change he just made the change and I left. I thought he showed true leadership, graveness and determination all the time. I thought he represented our franchise very well, just as I want our coach to represent our franchise.
“I thought it laid an excellent foundation and a wonderful culture, I know the word ‘culture’ is overused, but I think it’s so important and I think we have the beginnings of a very good culture here.”
Mara, Mara said, but saw signs that the franchise was moving in the right direction.
“Obviously I’m not happy with the number of games I’ve won,” Mara said. “I am disappointed that I did not do better than 6-10, but I see progress in the building. I think the quality of the people we have in the locker room has improved a lot. I think we have some great leaders there. I think I have laid a foundation for a foundation that can be continuously successful and I am excited about the future of this team. “
Mara said: “There is a different feeling in the building now that it exists in a few years.”
Mara was asked how long fans have to wait for the Giants to produce a winning team.
“Well, hopefully not too much, because I can’t wait too long, honestly. I’m tired of staying here at the end of the year, trying to explain what went wrong and why I feel optimistic about the future, “said Mara. “I want to do it after a winning season.”