INDIANAPOLIS — Joe Schoen put a refreshing process into action Tuesday at the NFL combine.
The Giants’ new GM announced he’s “open for business” and “open to everything,” including entertaining trade offers for big names like Saquon Barkley.
Schoen said he’s starting some tough conversations with agents of current players about cuts to save salary cap space.
He’s scouting the quarterbacks in this year’s NFL draft, even as he continues to profess confidence in Daniel Jones.
He’s willing to trade up or down with his two picks in the top seven this April.
He’s not closing doors.
He knows the Giants are NFL cellar-dwellers and he has to be open to any idea that will make them better.
What a concept.
“We’re still working through that, but I’m open to everything,” Schoen said when asked about trades for players like Barkley. “Whether it’s trading player for player, I’ll listen to anybody … I’m not gonna say the entire roster we’re open for business, but if anybody’s gonna call and they’re interested in our players, I’ll certainly listen. I’m not gonna say yes to every deal, but I’ll be open to situations that are best for the New York Giants.”
As Schoen said, not everyone is up for sale.
While young receiver Kadarius Toney’s commitment has come into question behind the scenes, for example — from lack of playbook study to poor meeting behavior to frequent injuries — Schoen said he didn’t foresee trading him.
“I don’t think Kadarius is a tradeable piece,” the GM said. “If somebody calls we’re gonna listen, but he’s a good young player that our coaches really like. We’ve been in constant contact with him, and we’re excited to see what he can do.”
One reason Schoen says this won’t be a complete firesale is that he doesn’t believe in sacrificing year one for the long term. He wants to “compete today” and also “build for the future.” He thinks he can do both, naively or not.
“You guys asked me about a rebuild before,” Schoen said. “I don’t wanna go out and get my head beat in ever. I wanna be able to have a competitive team and still do what’s best for the franchise in the future. I’d like to build the roster the best we can so we can be competitive this year.”
It seems the organization’s belief in Jones at quarterback is real. So if they plan on him being their starter in 2022, they need to give him weapons. Toney would be one.
The Giants are meeting with top receivers at the combine already, too. They sat down with Arkansas’ Treylon Burks on Tuesday, the New York Daily News learned.
Coach Brian Daboll again made it sound like Jones is their Week 1 starter and the plan is to improve the offense for him. Both Schoen and Daboll made cracks about how badly they need to improve the offensive line, a clear priority as the draft approaches.
“The thing with Daniel is … our job is to put a system in place for him, let him play free and keep as many good guys around him that he trusts, feels comfortable throwing the ball to, protecting him,” Daboll said. “The 10 guys around him have to be doing their job at a high level.”
That said, Schoen acknowledged he’s evaluating this year’s quarterback draft class closely and that Jones’ presence would not prevent him from drafting a QB.
“Absolutely, I think you gotta do that (evaluating) every year,” Schoen said. “I think you always gotta evaluate the quarterbacks.”
Daboll said he’d already met with some of this year’s quarterbacks.
“We’ve met a few already, we’ll keep a close eye on them like we do every year,” Daboll said. “I haven’t done a ton of work on these guys yet, but I’m gonna.”
And Schoen also made a statement that “Daniel Jones is our starting quarterback right now.” Those last two words seemingly hedged on the fleeting nature of how long the team’s commitment to the QB might last depending on changing circumstances.
“Whatever ceiling he has he’s gonna reach it if he can stay healthy,” Schoen said, “because he’s got the work ethic and he’s a smart kid. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The next step in the process, though, is painful roster decisions. Punter Riley Dixon, corner James Bradberry, safety Logan Ryan, tight end Kyle Rudolph and wideout Sterling Shepard are among the names whose salaries and standing possibly put them in the line of fire.
Schoen confirmed he wants to clear $40 million in cap space and knows these moves are required to get the Giants’ situation cleaned up.
“There’s a lot of contingency plans that weigh on some of the decisions we’re gonna make,” he said. “So we’re getting together with some of the players on our current roster and starting initial conversations on different things. But sooner or later we’ll start making the necessary moves to be under the salary.”
Barkley is the most intriguing name possibly on the chopping and trading block, though, with $7.2 million owed this year on his fifth year option. Schoen continued to stress how great a player Barkley can be.
“I think everyone can say when the kid’s healthy he’s one of the best backs in the league,” the GM said. “I think Brian and his staff will have a plan for him and feature him.”
But Schoen clearly has a modern understanding of value, and he obviously entered Tuesday’s media availability with a plan and a message that he wanted to project to the rest of the league.
And it was refreshing to hear him invite teams to call him on his players, Barkley included.
“I’m open for business,” he reiterated.
Because whether or not Schoen makes those deals, it reflects that the Giants’ new GM is looking at this roster and this situation with fresh eyes.
That’s exactly what this franchise needs.
