On the one hand, the New York Giants in 2025 simply have to get better than they were a year ago ... because it would be so difficult to be worse.
On the other hand, GM Joe Schoen really only made one major change to the Giants offensive lineup ... and if it doesn't turn out to be good enough?
Joe Schoen might not be the Giants GM after this year.
The signing of Russell Wilson, and then the first-round trade-up for Jaxson Dart to eventually replace him, figures as the centerpiece issue for the season.
Yes, on the other side of the ball, the Giants added a blue-chip prospect in Abdul Carter, two quality starters in the secondary, and third-round tackle Darius Alexander.
But it will be impossible to ignore the failed commitment to Daniel Jones ... and the moves that now make it seem like the offensive issues were all his fault.
After all, New York will likely return 10 starters on offense, exchanging only at that one - very important - position.
So ...
Schoen is gambling that the bulk of the offense’s problems fell on Jones’ shoulders ... and that Wilson will fix all of that.
There is, frankly, plenty of room for this offense to fall short of even modest expectations. Indeed, that's why some observers are already mapping out the "when'' of the Dart takeover.
And on that note, we will add this: When a team starts a rookie QB, a GM often is able to go to ownership and ask for more time on the job. After all, "We've got a rookie! We've got to develop him!''
We're not sure Giants ownership - which entered this calendar year with a wobbly commitment to Schoen and to coach Brian Daboll - is going to fall for that.