The New York Giants are expected to part ways with general manager Dave Gettleman at the end of the season. Whether that comes via retirement or an outright firing remains to be seen.
The question is, who will replace Gettleman if the Giants intend to keep both head coach Joe Judge and quarterback Daniel Jones?
The obvious answer is assistant GM Kevin Abrams, who held the interim title after the team fired Jerry Reese in 2017.
Abrams is familiar with the organization, will be more inclined to take on the baggage that is Jones and Judge, and seems like a natural fit if little else is changing. He’s also drawn support from several former Giants player, including kicker Lawrence Tynes.
“I would like to see Kevin Abrams be named general manager of the New York Giants,” Tynes said. “I say that because he’s been here for a long time. He should have been hired last cycle before Gettleman and I think we would have avoided this mess that we’re in.
“But I think he deserves a shot to run this team. And here’s how I’ll say it: If we’re keeping Judge, you give Abrams one year and if it doesn’t work out, you fire everyone next year. I know that’s what we want to keep doing but I would love to see Kevin Abrams get a shot at running this team.”
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports also recently reported that Abrams will draw “strong consideration” as a potential Gettleman replacement.
But Steven Verderosa, a former Giants scout of more than three decades, has cautioned against hiring Abrams.
“Kevin has been the one negotiating the bad signings (Nate Solder, Kenny Golladay, etc.). He is not a football guy — never played, coached or scouted. Need a football guy!” Verderosa tweeted.
Verderosa, who joined the Giants in 1988 after spending time in the scouting department of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was let go in 2020. Since then, he’s taken on a role for Pro Football Network and frequently offers his opinions on the Giants.
I had scouted Daniel Jones for 3 seasons. No doubt in my mind he has top physical skills to play at a high level.
Smart & very competitive, if there is a negative its the turn overs. When your playing from behind all the time you will force things. Even the best QB needs help.— Steven E Verderosa (@SteveV_PFN) December 21, 2021
If your a Giant fan you have to ask yourself why so many of the teams draft choices are starting for other teams, Kennard, Pugh on Ariz. Flowers & Collins on Wash. Hankins on Vegas,Apple & Hill on Cincy. OBJ on LA. All teams better record than NYG.
— Steven E Verderosa (@SteveV_PFN) December 26, 2021
A great outside candidate to become Giant GM would be former Carolina Panther MLB Dan Morgan. Dan worked his way up after his playing days through Buffalo Personnel dept. now ass't GM @ Carolina. A FOOTBALL MAN
— Steven E Verderosa (@SteveV_PFN) December 24, 2021
Verderosa has obviously spent a lot of time around Abrams and knows the ins and outs of the Giants’ executive structure, so his opinion is worth a little more than a pinch of salt. Perhaps two pinches of salt.
Still, it’s interesting to see the conflicting opinions on Abrams play out publicly. Some former Giants players, scouts and personnel support him. Others do not.
