Giants Owner Says It's Time to Win After Spending Spree

Wed, Mar 31, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)

The New York Giants handed out contracts worth more than $100 million in guaranteed money this off-season and co-owner John Mara approved of the spending. Now, Mara said it's time for the Giants to win after going on the spending spree.

"It's time for us to start winning," Mara told reporters on a virtual conference call towards the end of the NFL owners' meetings. "That's one of the reasons we spent the money we did."

Mara did not say whether or not general manager Dave Gettleman's job is safe or if he is on the hot seat.

The Giants added a number-one wide receiver in Kenny Golladay. They also added cornerback Adoree' Jackson. New York kept defensive lineman Leonard Williams by re-signing him. All told, the team spent $110 million in guaranteed money on these three players alone in the hopes that they will be the right fits for the roster heading into the 2021 season.

The goal this off-season was to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with more productive players.

"It's been a very difficult four- or five-year period for us," Mara said. "I'm tired of the losing and having a postseason press conference trying to explain what went wrong and why I think we're making progress.

"I think we're moving in the right direction, but it's been brutal the last few years. We're looking forward to turning it around and not having to make excuses for why we haven't done it."

Aside from Golladay, the Giants also brought in a new tight end in Kyle Rudolph, and a speedy wide receiver named John Ross. The Giants will also get an upgrade on offense from within with the return of running back Saquon Barkley. 

In 14 games in the 2020 season, Jones threw 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In his two seasons, Jones has thrown for a combined 35 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. New York is 8-18 with Jones as the starting quarterback.

"We think the world of Daniel," Mara said. "We want to see him take the next step. I don't have any specific benchmarks other than, let's win some more games. He'll have a better team around him this year than he's had in previous years, so we certainly expect him to take that next step. I want to see him continue to improve because I do think he has what it takes to be a long-term winner in this league."

Mara is optimistic about the team's chances in 2021 because of second-year head coach Joe Judge. The Giants went 6-10 last year under Judge, which was two more wins than the 2019 season.

"We won only six games last year, but I sensed just a different feeling from the players. They believe in his message. You could see that in team meetings. You could see that on the practice field and you could see in their effort. Now is the time to start winning more games," Mara said.

Since Gettleman was hired as the GM in 2018, the Giants have gone a combined 15-33.

"I'm not going to speculate on that right now," Mara said. "Let's see how the season plays out. I have more confidence going into this season than I've had in previous years. Hopefully, the money that we spent and given the draft we expect to have, we'll have a better team on the field this year."