The dysfunctional Dave Gettleman-Joe Judge era is undoubtedly one New York Giants fans don’t want to relive or revisit, especially now that the team has found stability with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
However, if you’re unaware of history you’re doomed to repeat it. And for that reason, it’s imperative for the curtain to be peeled back on that era and former Giant Nate Ebner has done just that.
During an appearance on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, Ebner detailed how every single decision made by Judge was immediately challenged by Gettleman.
“We go to New York and it’s like, Joe is trying to put this team together that’s this gritty team and then you’ve got this GM who just doesn’t want to do it that way,” Ebner said, via Bobby Skinner of Talkin’ Giants. “At every turn, Joe wants to go right and Gettleman wants to go left.
“The effect that had on everything… Just like, Joe had one hand tied behind his back because every decision was getting challenged. How can you manage a football team when you can’t even get along with a guy about an administrative or personnel (decision)?”
Judge certainly made plenty of his own mistakes, culminating in back-to-back quarterback sneaks in the second quarter of a Week 18 game against the Washington Commanders — a game that ultimately sealed his fate.
There was also Judge’s tough-guy approach to the media, which wore thin as the team continued to falter and fail.
However, as we argued at the time, Judge did not necessarily receive a fair shake with the Giants. His termination was necessary but due to the presence of Gettleman and various other factors (COVID-19), Judge stood little chance at success.
That’s even more clear now that Ebner has outlined the utter dysfunction that existed in East Rutherford at the time.
