Jaxson Dart returns in time for Joe Schoen’s last Giants stand

Jaxson Dart’s return to the field for the Giants on Monday night in New England isn’t the main event this week.

That bill goes to general manager Joe Schoen’s press conference, which usually takes place in the middle of the Giants’ bye week.

Schoen is expected to address the New York media following their game against the Patriots for the first time since the firing of head coach Brian Daboll on November 10.

The timing is important because the Giants (2-10) have just four games remaining after Monday’s prime-time trip to Foxborough, Mass., and their ensuing Week 14 bye.

This means Schoen’s press conference will be his last public argument to save his job.

So yes, Monday’s game matters for players who are desperate to end a six-game losing streak, for interim head coach Mike Kafka, who is still looking for his first win at 0-2.

But it matters most in the context of how Schoen will be able to sell himself to the public and become an owner later in the week.

If Kafka keeps Dart safe and improves his play from the pocket against the Patriots, Schoen could point out the difference in Dart’s usage and play Monday night compared to a previously reckless approach.

No doubt, Schoen hopes that interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen can find a way to prepare Abdul Carter for his first complete sack of the season or a big play. That way, the general manager can highlight recent, proven production from a No. 3 pick who, at the moment, is only known for sleeping during walk-on practice.

Beating the Patriots would obviously be a dream scenario for Schoen.

New England is 10-2, has won nine straight and hasn’t lost since September 21. The Giants have lost a franchise record 12 straight road games.

If the Giants upset Mike Vrabel’s team in prime time, Schoen will do his best to completely complete the split from Daboll:

This would be the CEO’s best way to argue that his staff was on the verge of doing something all along; the roster just needed better leadership at the helm.

The credit and blame game could get tricky here, though. Even Dart said Friday in his press conference about Daboll, “Who knows if I’m here without him.”

It could get complicated if Schoen tried to take credit for Dart while firing and distancing himself from the coach who steered the Giants’ draft process toward the quarterback in the first place.

One outcome, of course, shouldn’t sway Giants ownership at this point to retain a fourth-year general manager with a 20-42-1 (.317) record.

For Schoen, however, this may be his only hope of making a real argument with a result to back it up.

Because the Giants’ schedule loosens up considerably in their final four games against the Commanders, Vikings and Raiders before closing with the Cowboys.

And it’s hard to imagine any of those outcomes would change the franchise’s outlook, outside of Dart’s specific production, development and trajectory in this temporary new coaching staff construct.

As for Monday, there’s some pressure for Dart to entertain America here, given that his return to the starting lineup deprives the national television audience of another Jameis Winston experience.

That’s a high bar to clear.

However, this game also has the potential to be a massacre.

The Giants just fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, a good friend of Vrabel. And Patriots backup quarterback Tommy DeVito told masslive.com, “I hope we knock them out.” »

If Drake Maye and the Patriots take out Dart and the Giants, even Schoen might have trouble getting reality across in his press conference.

If an unbalanced result confirms the reality of the team he built once and for all.