Fifty-five seconds in, and we’re left with the biggest mic drop of the ‘Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants’ trailer.
“Saquon, can you give me your word on that, or are you not going to give us a chance?” Giants GM Joe Schoen says into a phone.
We don’t hear Saquon Barkley’s response. Instead, we’re left only with a quick video overplay of the superstar running back breaking a tackle.
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The brief trailer offers plenty of potential intrigue into what we can expect to see from the new series — the product of a collaboration between HBO, NFL Films and the Giants — which premieres at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday on HBO.
But nothing else in that 1:18 seconds tantalizes quite like the Barkley bit. We already know the former face of the franchise departed for division rival Philadelphia this offseason, signing a three-year deal worth up to $46.75 million, but what was the context of the Schoen call? Will we get to hear Barkley’s response?
There’s been so much back and forth on what exactly happened during the Barkley negotiations over the past couple of years. Hopefully, this series will provide some facts about how things went down this offseason. Of course, it’s important to note the Giants had final editorial say over what will ultimately air, but the clip is promising in that Barkley’s departure won’t simply be brushed under the rug.
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This new series coincides with the Giants’ 100th season and will document a pivotal offseason for Schoen and coach Brian Daboll as they prepare for their third season at the helm. From the Barkley decision to their diligent exploration of the quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, we’re expecting to get fascinating insight into how the Giants’ offseason unfolded. With that in mind, here are six things we’ll be watching for:
Free-agency frenzy
One thing we know is going to be featured heavily is the hysteria around the start of NFL free agency. When it came to filming, NFL Films dedicated as many resources as possible to the March window where teams can overhaul their rosters with signings and trades.
The Giants didn’t disappoint. Beyond the final hours of the Barkley negotiations, the Giants also allowed another star player to walk in safety Xavier McKinney. He signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. How hard did the Giants try to bring him back? Was their offer close to what the Packers gave McKinney?
Beyond the players departing, we’re of course looking forward to learning about the players the Giants brought in — and maybe even those they targeted and missed out on.
The biggest move fans can expect to learn more about was the blockbuster trade for two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns. The trailer provided some tidbits about the deal, with Schoen talking to Daboll and new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen about Burns. But what else went into that decision, and how did they finally decide to get a deal done?
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NFL Draft insight
So just how close did the Giants come to finding and drafting a new franchise QB?
We already know the front office went above and beyond when it came to scouting quarterback prospects. By the time draft week rolled around, it was clear the Giants were going to draft either a QB or a wide receiver given their needs and the talent available at the top of the board.
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Plenty of reports connected the Giants to North Carolina QB Drake Maye. They reportedly tried to trade up to No. 3 to select him, but the New England Patriots didn’t budge, and the Giants ultimately selected Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick.
Will we learn anything new about what they offered New England? Did Schoen and company think they were ever close? And after Maye went off the board, were they interested in any of the remaining quarterbacks? Three more QBs were drafted in the six picks after the Giants took Nabers; how did the Giants brass view those players?
Even before draft night, we’ll learn a lot about the Giants’ hunt for a QB and scouting process as NFL Films traveled with Schoen to a handful of college pro days — including LSU’s where we’ll see Nabers.
Insight into Shane Bowen’s defense
For those Giants fans hoping to see the final days of the disastrous Wink Martindale-Daboll relationship, you’re likely going to be disappointed. The defensive coordinator and the Giants parted ways in the week following the end of the season, while NFL Films cameras did not arrive inside the Giants facility until February. Giants in-house media shoots a lot of footage, some of which will be used in the series, but it seems unlikely we’ll see the coaching staff drama unfold.
Still, we’ll get to learn a lot more about Martindale’s successor, Shane Bowen, and what we can expect from his defense. In a clip shown to audiences at the Giants’ “A Night with Legends” event on June 20, we got a small taste. That clip featured Bowen meeting with Schoen and scouts to explain his system. Bowen gave a brief rundown of his scheme and explained how he planned to deploy versatile linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
That was just a brief clip but one that already provided a fascinating insight into what to expect from Bowen, whose defense will function much differently from the one Martindale ran.
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Coaching staff camaraderie
A big topic this offseason and one that will be under scrutiny all year is the relationship between Daboll and his coaches. Last season, Daboll’s intensity, particularly on game days rubbed some of those around him the wrong way.
“On game day, he’s a madman,” a team source told The Athletic’s Dan Duggan last season. “It’s just brutal.”
“It’s to the point where you’ve got to take your headsets off or take one ear off,” another team source said. “He’s just constantly screaming. It’s like, ‘Jeez, I can’t even think.'”
Team president and co-owner John Mara said in March that “there are times where I wish he would tone it down a little bit.”
Publicly, it seems like Daboll has taken those words to heart, as he has appeared calmer during spring practices. Will we see more signs of changed behavior in these episodes? Daboll, in some ways, has a chance to start anew with so many fresh faces.
Beyond the Martindale parting, Daboll overhauled his coaching staff this offseason: To recap the other departures:
- Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey (fired)
- Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson (fired)
- Outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins (fired)
- Defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins (fired)
- Strength coach Craig Fitzgerald (left to become Florida’s strength coach)
- Running backs coach Jeff Nixon (left to become Syracuse’s offensive coordinator)
Most of those coaches left — and their replacements hired — before the series began filming, so we likely won’t get much insight into staff overhaul, but it will be interesting to see if we get to examine how Daboll approaches building new relationships.
Schoen spotlight
Just as the spotlight will shine on Daboll, the entire premise of the show is based on the front office and team building. That means Schoen, and his staff, figure to be stars of the show. Their decisions as they enter this third year together will be critical as the Giants look to rebound from a dismal 2023 season.
It’s probably not a coincidence that the first member of the Giants shown in the trailer is Schoen on draft night. He’s looking at a ringing phone, saying, “We should stay and pick, right? This is Atlanta.” The very next people shown are Mara and fellow co-owner Steve Tisch.
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The owners’ eyes are on the GM as he tries to make franchise-altering decisions. How has Schoen handled that pressure and all the ups and downs this offseason? How has he handled the coaching staff upheaval and his relationship with Daboll? Maybe we’ll find out.
Keeping up with Jones
Daniel Jones has always been a dutiful quarterback. He comes in early, earning praise from teammates and coaches for his hard work, but he never reveals too much as he keeps the focus on football. Will that change at all with this behind-the-scenes footage?
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We’re thinking probably not, but it will be interesting to see how much we’ll get to see of him handling a pretty challenging offseason. Not only is he recovering from a torn ACL, but the Giants absolutely explored finding his replacement in the draft — and were willing to give up a lot to do it. How did he handle that?
And how did he react to the team bringing in veteran Drew Lock, especially after there seemed to be confusion about what was communicated to Lock before he signed in New York? It doesn’t seem like there will be a QB competition, but either way, Jones is entering a huge season. He has one last chance to prove he can be the guy.
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(Photo of Saquon Barkley: Kevin R. Wexler / USA Today)
