Brian Daboll's Hot Seat Meter Rises After NY Giants' Loss to Broncos

Amid two-plus seasons of losing football, the Brian Daboll era is in dire straits. The prevailing opinion has always been that the New York Giants head coach will retain his post if rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart impresses.

Well, the Ole Miss alum is more than holding his own in grim circumstances, and it still may not be enough to save Daboll. Following an unfathomable 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos

Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated scored him an eight on the coaching hot seat meter, which trails only Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

Daboll was running with some momentum after earning a notable home win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Still, trust is rapidly diminishing once again after the Giants blew 19-0 and 26-8 leads in the fourth quarter. 

When it comes to issues that concern people, they tend to point the finger at the men in charge. Perhaps co-owner John Mara will do the same. Daboll is not just trending in the wrong direction after the Denver debacle. He has been on the decline for a while now.

"In 2022, the Giants made the playoffs and Daboll was named Coach of the Year," Verderame wrote. "Since then, he has an 11–30 record, making him a prime candidate to be fired either during or right after this season ends."

Although the fourth-year head coach brought immediate, welcome change upon his arrival, he failed to foster growth after his first season at the helm. Instead, the squad deteriorated. And while New York is rejuvenated and more competent in 2025, inexcusable losses and lapses in judgment remain.

Many fans are wondering if it is wise to let Daboll wield any more influence over Dart and the team. Changing head coaches on a rookie quarterback is always risky, but would keeping the same regime be more hazardous to the 22-year-old's development?

This is a question Big Blue's brass must contemplate. A promising quarterback can fix many problems, and Dart is breathing new life into the locker room, the offense, and the fan base. But there are other play-calling and culture-related issues he cannot fix on his own.

Late-game follies have afflicted this franchise well before Daboll came into town. However, that does not mean all the troubles are ingrained in the Meadowlands. He shares plenty of blame for everything that is going wrong in the present.

Daboll reportedly did not see eye-to-eye with Wink Martindale and ultimately brought in Shane Bowen to be the new defensive coordinator last season.

That hire has proven incredibly unpopular among fans, especially after a game in which the Giants allowed 33 points in the fourth quarter. Bowen opted to rush three against the Broncos on the final drive, eliciting both confusion and outrage. Still, 

New York has accrued 57 penalties for 506 yards this season, per NFL Penalties.com, which ranks 28th and 30th in the NFL, respectively. The team lacks restraint, an issue the head coach is often tasked with correcting.

In short, under Daboll's watch, the Giants remain sloppy and undisciplined for large stretches of time. And yet, if not for a turnover spree in New Orleans or an inexplicable implosion in Denver, New York would be 4-3 and firmly in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card slot.

The organization can only tolerate so many close calls before reaching its breaking point. Daboll better hope that ownership has more patience than what was shown last winter.

Sweeping the Eagles could significantly lower that hot seat meter.

Newly Available Free Agent ‘En Route’ to Chiefs, Expected to Sign

The Kansas City Chiefs could be on the verge of a reunion, as former undrafted rookie offensive tackle Esa Pole is reportedly headed to KC to discuss a practice squad signing before the Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

“Source: OT Esa Pole will be en route to Kansas City this evening,” A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman relayed on the evening of October 24.

Goldman added that “if all goes well, he’ll be on the Chiefs’ practice squad tomorrow.”

Pole began his NFL career with KC this spring, joining the organization as a UDFA. After impressing throughout OTAs and training camp, Pole just missed making the 53-man roster.

Goldman even dropped a little tidbit on just how close the standout rookie was to surviving the cutdown.

“When the Chiefs released Pole during 53-man cuts, they told him he was the 54th man and they really, really wanted him back on the practice squad,” the KC reporter shared. Reminding: “The [New York] Jets claimed him then, but now [the Chiefs] get another chance.”

Given the mutual interest between Pole and Kansas City, it is very likely that the rookie will return on a practice squad deal as soon as October 25. He was just waived by the Jets on October 23 and has since cleared waivers on the 24th.

Now, Pole is free to sign with any organization he wants, hence the potential KC reunion.

Chiefs Could Use Extra Offensive Tackle Depth After the Latest Week 8 News on Josh Simmons

One of the big stories around Kansas City over the past week or so has been the mysterious absence of rookie left tackle Josh Simmons. There was a big update on Simmons’ upcoming availability on October 24, just before the news of a potential Pole reunion.

“Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 first-round draft pick, is expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks, sources told ESPN,” reported ESPN beat reporter Nate Taylor on Friday evening.

It’s no coincidence that Pole is now coming to town, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

The Chiefs will need extra offensive tackle depth with Simmons attending to what has been described as a “family situation.” And who better than a player who spent the entire spring and summer learning the Kansas City playbook and offensive system?

If Pole does indeed sign with the Chiefs, KC may have to send the Jets a gift basket for parting ways with the rookie at an ideal time.

Jaylon Moore Expected to Start for the Chiefs at Left Tackle vs. the Commanders in Week 8

With Simmons away from the team and Jawaan Taylor manning the right tackle position, veteran Jaylon Moore will once again step in for the Chiefs at left tackle against the Commanders in Week 8.

Moore performed very well in Week 7, but Washington should provide a new test. The former San Francisco 49ers backup was initially signed to be the Chiefs’ new starting left tackle, but that was before Simmons fell to them in the draft.

He gives Kansas City reliable depth and insurance at the position, and now the Chiefs will try and convince Pole to sign so that they can groom him to do the same.

 

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