New York Giants: Dave Gettleman offering no answers to long-term plan

General manager Dave Gettleman has etched reign-defining decisions onto his New York Giants blueprints, but what should we make of his choices?

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is leaving a massive mark on the future of the franchise, putting into motion his plan. Unfortunately and worryingly so, however, those plans have yet to be committed to a single direction. To trade a generational talent in Odell Beckham Jr. marks an unrivalled deviation in regards to where the Giants are as an organization and where they are heading.

Losing the superstar aura that comes with No. 13 feels like the beginning of a new era in East Rutherford, but perhaps not the one fans had anticipated. For 38-year old Eli Manning to outstay one of the NFL’s most gifted athletes raises serious questions over the team’s “plan” — if there is one, that is.

There are multiple variables as to why Beckham’s departure has blown up in the manner it has. Gettleman’s “We didn’t sign Odell to trade him” serves as a worthy starting point.

While he isn’t the first high profile official in football to go back on his word, this is an early tarnish on his spell with the Giants, particularly in terms of the timing. It hints at the uncertainty and lack of cohesion supporters have feared is hindering the franchise’s recovery from successive losing seasons behind the scenes.

Was it a lie? Was it merely a subsequent, and sudden, change in approach? Ultimately, the answer doesn’t amend such a divisive decision in any way.

The immediate consumption of the Beckham trade as a major step taken to accelerate the rebuild has since been plunged into confusion by the signing of Golden Tate. Handing a four year contract worth $37.5 million to a player due to turn 31 in August typifies the Giants’ conflicting approach. Is it a rebuild? Is this a win-now mentality? The man you would expect to be able to answer that question seemingly remains unsure.

Tate’s arrival has meanwhile generated unforeseen doubt over Sterling Shepard’s role in the slot and, as a result, his future with the team. With no clear plans in place to pay the third-year receiver, it remains to be seen whether Gettleman is about to ship out another popular figure.

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There was always a spot vacant for OBJ in the New York headlines, whether it be for his electrifying skills as a receiver or his emotional personality. Too often, however, was there a feeling the Giants’ brass deemed the latter a distraction. In the end, there is a case for those at the top of the organization giving up on polishing and developing one of the most eye-catching athletes in sport. A case for the idea they failed him.

Had Beckham himself asked to be traded, it once again goes down as a failure on the Giants’ part for being unable to sell a well-structured long-term project. This was a player that simply wanted to win.

To let such an elite-level hunger and skill-set leave makes you question the way those in charge install and harness a competitiveness in the locker room. Beckham’s teammates never had a bad word to say about him and often underlined his popularity within the group without being prompted. Not once did he sound like a distraction to the most important people — his Giants colleagues.

Extracting such a loveable figure from that roster now requires justification from Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur to the returning players. Ben McAdoo lost his team mid-way through the season. It’s crucial those at the helm don’t let that happen before a snap has even been played in 2019.

An unjust sub-story to the aim of winning while refurbishing is the burden this promises to have on Saquon Barkley. It says an awful lot that the Giants are prepared to risk wasting the early years of a potential Hall of Famer’s career. The moment Beckham left the building, the 2018 second-overall pick shouldered this entire team. In light of recent events, there is a strong chance he spends two seasons putting his body on the line for next to no gain.

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If Gettleman has anything positive to show for his first year as general manger, it’s arguably his 2018 NFL Draft class. With both that and the Giants’ 12 picks in 2019 in mind, the pressure is mounting on him to deliver again.

Just 13 players drafted by the Giants from 2007-18 remain on the roster, six of which arrived last year. That’s a trend Gettleman must end if he is to have any hope of turning things around.

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