Giants' John Harbaugh praised for Dawn Aponte hire amid NFL free agency news
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New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh.
The New York Giants appear to have made an under-the-radar move when they announced news that former NFL league office executive Dawn Aponte would be joining the organization ahead of NFL free agency and the offseason. But much is still unclear about Aponte’s role.
Giants.com states that Aponte “brings a wealth of football experience at the team and league level to the Giants.”
Adding: “In her role, Aponte is responsible for strategic planning for football operations, analytics, salary cap management, player contract negotiations, compliance, and working closely with the college and pro personnel departments.”
Some of these responsibilities sound like the job of a general manager or top front office executive, but then why retain Joe Schoen? Aponte’s exact duties should become more apparent as the year unfolds, but one thing is clear: this move has been met with a ton of praise.
“Multiple sources at varying levels described [Aponte] as a ‘killer’ — intended as high praise,” SNY insider Connor Hughes reported on March 2, after labeling the Aponte hire “significant.”
“Aponte is confident in her expertise and has little tolerance for incompetence or dysfunction,” he continued. “She will not surround herself — or allow others to surround the organization — with anything that is not working.”
Meaning, if Harbaugh is the General coming in to clean up shop, Aponte might be best described as his top Lieutenant.
Hughes Details Dawn Aponte’s Early Involvement in Giants Operation at NFL Combine
Giants' Dawn Aponte news could be bad sign for Joe Schoen
GettyNew York Giants front office hire Dawn Aponte at the 2024 NFL Draft.
Hughes went on to detail Aponte’s work at the NFL Combine, per his sources.
“Aponte was heavily involved in informal meetings with agents throughout the week,” he noted. “SNY checked in with several who met with the Giants. The groups varied, which is typical. Agents met with some combination of Aponte, Charles Tisch, Joe Schoen, Ed Triggs, Chris Rossetti and Tim McDonnell. Others joined at times.”
As for Schoen, it appears media and fans aren’t the only ones questioning his role.
“Schoen was a frequent topic of conversation in Indianapolis,” Hughes relayed within the article. “The Giants insist his role has not changed, but that has not stopped speculation across league circles.”
“The simplest way to quiet that chatter: extend Schoen,” the NYG insider concluded. “If he and Harbaugh are as aligned as they say, formalize the partnership beyond the 2026 draft.”
John Harbaugh’s Dawn Aponte News Reads as a Warning for Giants GM Joe Schoen
Schoen can tell people his title all he wants, but Hughes has a point. Until Harbaugh backs him with a lot more than empty words, Schoen’s future with the Giants is up for debate.
The presence of Aponte only amplifies that discussion.
It doesn’t sound like Aponte reports to Schoen, which hints that she could be watching how he operates, along with all of his staff. A system of checks and balances is generally wise, but it also displays a lack of trust in those you are “checking.”
Aponte wasn’t just brought in to keep an eye on Schoen, but her hiring was no accident. Harbaugh took this job knowing that a lot had to change.
And real change doesn’t occur with roster moves and new draft picks. Giants fans know this because they’ve seen the roster turnover several times in recent years.
Real change starts at the top, and Aponte is a massive part of Harbaugh’s plan for the future of this organization.