Mara's never been more embarrassed by state of Giants

New York Giants co-owner John Mara admitted that the 2021 season is the most embarrassed he's ever been regarding the state of the franchise.

"Honestly, I would have to say yes," he said Wednesday, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. "Yes, it is. I kept thinking during the season we had hit rock bottom, then each week it got a little worse."

He added: "It just got to the point where we dug a hole so deep, I didn't see a clear path getting out of it unless we started all over again."

Mara was speaking at a press conference two days after general manager Dave Gettleman retired and one day after the Giants fired head coach Joe Judge. Co-owner Steve Tisch was not on hand.

New York finished last in the NFC East with a 4-13 record in 2021, dropping its last six contests. Judge led the team to a 10-23 mark during his two-year tenure with no playoff appearances. The Giants have posted five straight losing seasons.

Judge defended the team and franchise in an 11-minute rant following a lopsided loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 17.

While the speech did not go over well with Mara, he said "a culmination of things" led to Judge's firing rather than one specific thing.

"I still think there is a good coach inside Joe Judge," Mara said.

He said he's prioritizing flexibility for the Giants' next GM by allowing them to be involved in hiring the next head coach.

As for personnel and roster decisions such as whether to exercise quarterback Daniel Jones' fifth-year option, Mara said those choices will be up to the GM and coach, unless he overrules them due to issues with off-field conduct.

"The only two voices that matter at the end of the day are the head coach and the general manager," he said, according to USA Today's Art Stapleton.