There’s a new sheriff in town with the New York Giants, and it’s head coach John Harbaugh, who’s tasked with the challenge of turning a 4-13 team into a winning franchise pretty much overnight. Standing next to him ahead of the 2026 NFL draft is Giants general manager Joe Schoen, but now, a new report highlights the tensions that may be happening between these two.
Schoen joined the Giants in 2022. The team has struggled since then, but they were having trouble when he joined, too.
Now, according to a report from ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, there’s a rising belief that Schoen’s future as the New York Giants’ general manager is in question under Harbaugh’s leadership.
Are John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen Having Issues in the New York Giants’ Franchise?
During an appearance on “Bart and Carlin” on ESPN New York on Thursday, April 16, Chris Carlin asked Raanan about the reports that Schoen may part ways with the team after the draft.
“He’s on a trial period, right? The second John Harbaugh came,” he said during the show. “So, he’s being evaluated…. John Harbaugh’s evaluating him, and there’s questions about… how long he’s going to be the general manager. And until he gets a, or unless he gets a contract extension, that is still clearly on the board.”
A new head coach usually works under the existing general manager, but when the Giants landed the in-demand Harbaugh, it because a situation where the coach had all the power. They basically said that Schoen would have to win Harbaugh over to stay with the franchise.
Now, the New York Giants are heading into an important draft, and Schoen will have a chance to show what he can do. Schoen has made good decisions as general manager, and it’s late in the game to fill his role, so that may get him back with the franchise for another season, but it will likely be up to Harbaugh.
New York Giants Prepping for an Important 2026 NFL Draft
As the 2026 NFL draft nears, the No. 5 pick for the New York Giants is getting clearer. Many NFL analysts and experts are leaning to the team picking an Ohio State standout, safety Caleb Downs, for that early pick.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. says, “If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects. I could see Carnell Tate as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers. I could certainly see Sonny Styles quarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot.”
He adds, “But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to Jevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he’d be worth it.”
Downs would be an absolute top choice for the New York Giants. He fills their safety need and brings fresh talent to the squad.
John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen Tensions Detailed in New Giants Report