Heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, the New York Giants were the lone team with just two wins. They would have selected first overall in the 2025 NFL draft had they lost out.
As much as the fans were rooting for the team to tank, the NFL does work that way as players and coaches aren’t going out trying to lose games.
Of course, the Giants won their Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts before dropping their season finale in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Giants co-owner John Mara was asked about the Giants following the season finale and had a strong take.
"If I had thought that we were tanking either one of those games, I would've fired everybody. We are never going to do that in this organization as long as I'm standing on this side of the grass."
– John Mara pic.twitter.com/5Z5FaZCX5e
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2025
“If I had thought that we were tanking either one of those games, I would’ve fired everybody,” he said. “We are never going to do that in this organization as long as I’m standing on this side of the grass.”
Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux stood by the Giants’ owner.
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 6, 2025
The Giants ended up with the third overall pick and will have a chance to get a great player by either trading up, standing pat, or even trading back. With the NFL draft being the crap shoot it is today, it may very well work out in the Giants’ favor they missed out on the first overall pick.
Only time will tell how the draft plays out and it will be a few years before we can really look back and evaluate everything.
However, one thing is for sure, the Giants were not actively tanking the last few weeks, and will not be tanking as long as John Mara continues to own the team.
