Top Candidates for the NY Giants General Manager Job
New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman has overseen a Giants team with a 19–40 record during his four-year tenure and a 4–7 showing at this point in the 2021–22 season. So, with these results, the Giants likely will part ways with Gettleman at the end of the season. In fact, NFL Network confirmed this strong possibility.
If events unfold as expected, co-owner John Mara will have a large pool of candidates to choose from, both internally and externally. Before hiring Gettleman in 2017, Mara interviewed a total of four candidates, with only one from the outside. This time may be different. Along with some in-house prospects, some highly qualified outsiders may make the list of interviewees. Here is a list of potential candidates from both categories.
Inside the Giants Organization
Kevin Abrams: This salary cap and contracts specialist has been a Giants assistant general manager for 20 years. Although Abrams had some hits and misses under Gettleman, his 23-year career with the Giants includes his contributions to the glory years.
Joe Judge: It’s not unusual for an NFL head coach to also be the GM. For example, there are six head coaches/GMs in the NFL this year. Also, Judge already has a strong influence over personnel decisions, including the final GM selection. So, if Mara decides to give Judge a significant vote of confidence, the GM job could go to the Giants head coach.
Kyle O’Brien: With a college and pro football scouting background, Kyle O’Brien is in his rookie season as senior personnel director for the Giants. His most impressive feat was working as a scout for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2011.
Outside the Giants Organization
Monti Ossenfort: Ossenfort is the director of player personnel for the Tennessee Titans. Before joining the Titans, he had been the director of college scouting for the New England Patriots for six years of his 15 years of employment there. As a result, his name has frequently come up in NFL circles as a replacement for Gettleman.
Dave Ziegler: Ziegler is the director of player personnel for the New England Patriots. To his advantage, he and Judge worked together for seven years on the Patriots team. Before New England, Ziegler worked three seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Scott Pioli: As a five-time NFL Executive of the Year, Pioli is the most decorated name in this group. He was also NFL Executive of the Decade for 2000 to 2010. This honor covers the time he was the general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 to 2012. In addition, his work history includes player personnel positions for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and the New England Patriots. Although he has never worked with Judge, they share the Patriots mindset.
Ed Dodds: As the assistant general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, Dodds has been a driving force behind building up the Colts’ roster. Before the Colts, he helped strengthen the Seattle Seahawks as a scout. The Giants GM job could be his next big step.
Ryan Poles: The Kansas City Chiefs’ executive director of player personnel is a popular GM candidate. During the past offseason, Carolina interviewed Ryan Poles twice for the Panthers GM job. If he doesn’t get a chance with the Giants, his future still looks promising.
Eliot Wolf: Wolf was the assistant general manager for the Cleveland Browns from 2018 to 2019. However, most of his significant accomplishments happened when he was a director of player personnel and director of operations for the Green Bay Packers. During Wolf’s period with Green Bay, the Packers went to the playoffs 10 times, won seven NFC North Division championships, and became Super Bowl XLV champs.
Will McClay: Much of the credit for the Dallas Cowboys talent-rich roster goes to vice president of player personnel Will McClay. The Giants could certainly use an eye for talent like McClay. During his time with the Cowboys, McClay has worked in all facets of front office work. He is an impressive and versatile potential candidate, but the Giants would likely compete with Jerry Jones for his services.
Mike Borgonzi: Because of his exceptional work as the Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM, Mike Borgonzi will be one of the most coveted GM candidates in 2022. Borgonzi, coach Andy Reid, and GM Brett Veach have produced a Super Bowl-winning team in Kansas. However, there is speculation that Borgonzi will follow offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to whatever team offers Bieniemy a head coaching job.
Joe Schoen: After helping GM Brandon Beane build one of the NFL teams, the Buffalo Bills assistant GM is ready to step into a GM position. Recently, his role expanded in the Chiefs’ front office when the director of player personnel left to take the GM job in Carolina.
If Gettleman Leaves
If Gettleman exits after or before the season, John Mara has a large pool of highly qualified potential GMs. However, most of the NFL executives on this list would be walking into their first GM job and a front office that needs repair. The Giants’ last-place status in the NFC East is only a symptom of the disarray in the Meadowland. As a result, the new hire must have the potential to restructure from the ground up.
