The New York Giants are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Their rich legacy includes multiple championships, a long history of Hall of Fame players, and iconic moments on the football field. Among their many memorable achievements, the 2007 Super Bowl victory stands as one of the most impressive and unexpected accomplishments in NFL history. That season, the Giants managed to knock off the heavily favored New England Patriots in one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history. It was a defining moment for the franchise, as they triumphed over one of the greatest teams ever assembled, led by quarterback Tom Brady, and secured their third Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
However, despite the glory of that unforgettable win and the subsequent Super Bowl victory in 2011, the New York Giants have been on a downward trajectory ever since. Since that victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the Giants have struggled to maintain consistency, make playoff appearances, and field competitive teams. The harsh reality is that the once-proud franchise has endured a series of disappointing seasons, failing to reach the heights they once achieved. This article will explore the reasons behind the New York Giants’ struggles in the years following their Super Bowl victories and what steps the franchise needs to take to return to its former glory.
A Look Back at the Giants’ Glory Years: Super Bowl XLII and XLVI
Before diving into the struggles of the Giants in the post-Super Bowl years, it’s important to remember just how dominant the franchise was during its peak years. The Giants were led by iconic head coach Tom Coughlin and a group of standout players who helped define the franchise’s identity.
In Super Bowl XLII, the Giants faced the undefeated New England Patriots, led by the indomitable Tom Brady. The Patriots had completed a perfect 16-0 regular season and were seeking to become the first team in NFL history to go 19-0 and win the Super Bowl. The Giants, on the other hand, entered the game as 12-point underdogs. However, with a tenacious defense and a gritty performance from quarterback Eli Manning, the Giants stunned the Patriots. Manning’s famous game-winning throw to Plaxico Burress late in the fourth quarter capped off a stunning upset, as the Giants won 17-14. It was a victory that etched Manning’s name in NFL history and gave the Giants their third Super Bowl title.
Just four years later, the Giants made another improbable Super Bowl run. In Super Bowl XLVI, the Giants faced the Patriots once again. Manning, now a two-time Super Bowl MVP, orchestrated another stunning performance, leading the Giants to a 21-17 victory over New England. This victory marked the Giants’ fourth Super Bowl title and solidified Eli Manning’s legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation.
However, despite these two Super Bowl victories in just four years, the success was fleeting. What followed were years of mediocrity, mismanagement, and missed opportunities. The franchise began a steady decline, struggling to find stability at key positions and failing to maintain the competitiveness that characterized their earlier years.
The Struggles Post-Super Bowl Success: The Decline Begins
While the Giants’ victories in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI were monumental, the seasons that followed would bring a painful decline for the franchise. The years after those championships were marked by inconsistency, poor roster management, and an inability to contend for another title.
- The Post-Super Bowl Hangover: After their second Super Bowl win in 2011, the Giants failed to make the playoffs in each of the next two seasons, finishing 9-7 and 6-10 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. While their roster still boasted talent, including Eli Manning, defensive stars like Jason Pierre-Paul, and skilled players on both sides of the ball, the team struggled to put it all together. The offense stagnated, and injuries began to take their toll on key players.
- A Failing Quarterback and Coaching Shifts: Despite his two Super Bowl victories, Eli Manning’s play began to decline. Manning, who had been the face of the franchise for over a decade, began to show signs of aging. His inconsistent performances and turnovers became more frequent, leading to questions about his future with the team. Despite the Giants’ attempts to continue building around him, the lack of development at quarterback would prove to be one of the team’s biggest struggles moving forward.The Giants also faced issues on the coaching front. Tom Coughlin, the architect of the team’s Super Bowl victories, had a successful tenure but began to lose touch with the changing dynamics of the league. The team’s failure to make deep playoff runs led to Coughlin’s eventual resignation in 2015. Coughlin’s departure marked the end of an era, but his successors would not enjoy the same level of success.
- The Ben McAdoo Era: After Coughlin’s resignation, the Giants hired Ben McAdoo, the former offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, in an attempt to revitalize the offense. McAdoo initially enjoyed some early success, leading the Giants to an 11-5 record in his first season as head coach in 2016. However, things quickly fell apart in 2017. After a disastrous 2-13 season, McAdoo was fired, and the Giants found themselves in need of yet another coaching change.
- The Dave Gettleman Era: The hiring of Dave Gettleman as general manager in 2018 was another attempt at retooling the roster. Gettleman made a series of controversial decisions, including the selection of running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. While Barkley has been a dynamic talent when healthy, the decision to select a running back so high in the draft was seen by many as a questionable one, especially when the team had a glaring need at quarterback. Gettleman’s tenure also saw the trade of long-time star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, a move that left many questioning the direction of the team.
Despite the Giants’ best efforts, they failed to build a competitive team under Gettleman’s leadership. The team had moments of promise, but they were constantly hampered by poor roster decisions, lack of talent, and injuries. By the time Gettleman was fired in 2022, the team had not made the playoffs in over six seasons and had failed to develop a new franchise quarterback.
The State of the Giants Today: Can They Rebuild?
As of 2025, the New York Giants are a franchise in the midst of a rebuild. The team has gone through several coaching changes, roster overhauls, and attempts to regain its former glory, but they have yet to establish a solid foundation for sustained success. While the franchise has shown signs of improvement, particularly in the 2022 season when they reached the playoffs under head coach Brian Daboll, the team is still a long way from competing at the highest level.
- Quarterback Situation: The most pressing issue for the Giants remains the quarterback position. While Daniel Jones showed improvement in 2022 and was signed to a long-term deal, questions still surround his ability to lead the team to the promised land. Jones has had flashes of brilliance but has also shown inconsistency and a lack of ability to elevate the team when it matters most. For the Giants to return to Super Bowl contention, they must figure out if Jones is the long-term answer or if they need to make a change at quarterback. The franchise needs to surround him with better weapons and support to see if he can develop into a true leader.
- Coaching Stability: The Giants appear to have found some stability under head coach Brian Daboll, who has shown a keen ability to adapt to the modern NFL. Daboll, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, was brought in to revitalize the team’s offense, and his success in 2022 suggests that the Giants are on the right track. However, Daboll’s ability to turn the Giants into a legitimate contender will ultimately depend on how well he can develop Jones, find consistent playmakers, and manage the expectations that come with the job.
- Roster Rebuilding: The Giants’ roster is filled with potential, but they still have significant holes to fill. The team needs to continue bolstering its offensive line, adding playmakers on the outside, and further strengthening its defense. The development of young players like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Andrew Thomas, and Saquon Barkley will be crucial to the team’s future success. If the Giants can make the right moves in the draft and free agency, they could once again return to the top of the NFC East.
- The NFC East: The NFC East, once a division of dominance by the Giants, is now one of the most competitive divisions in the league. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders are all strong contenders, and the Giants will need to improve significantly to keep up with their divisional rivals. This makes the task of rebuilding even more challenging, as the Giants will need to not only improve their own roster but also overcome other strong teams within their division.