Report: Relationship between Giants GM Joe Schoen, Mike Derice went 'sideways'

The New York Giantsparted ways with national scout Mike Derice last week, a move that was seen as a major surprise in NFL scouting circles.

Derice, who joined the Giants three years ago when Joe Schoen took over the reins as the general manager, was a two-time BART list winner and "highly regarded around the league."

The underlying reasons behind the divorce were unclear at first, but now as the smoke begins to clear, it seems as if the dismissal was not performance-based.

First comments I’ve seen regarding the departure of Mike Derice from the #Giants. @InsideTheLeague says it’s his understanding the relationship between Derice and J Schoen went “sideways” with a “bit of a personality conflict” and that it “wasn’t because of poor performance.” https://t.co/tr3Muy4Tx1pic.twitter.com/AoWQBBNwbg— NYGfaninCLT (@clt_ny) May 6, 2025

"My understanding is that he got kind of sideways -- there was maybe a bit of a personality conflict with Joe Schoen," Neil Stratton of Inside the League said. "I don't have a lot of details there but what I can tell you is that it wasn't because of poor performance."

Schoen, despite having a successful draft in 2024, was on the hot seat and perhaps dodged a bullet this offseason when co-owner John Mara gave him and head coach Brian Daboll a reprieve.

Taking a page out of Bill Parcells' 1984 strategy to do things his way, apparently Schoen will shed anyone not in lockstep with his plans. If this was a personality conflict rather than a performance issue, so be it. Schoen has to get things right or he'll be shown the door himself.

That being said, the Giants have to show marked improvement in 2025 and it is personnel people like Derice who helped Schoen achieve that.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Relationship between Giants GM Joe Schoen, Mike Derice went 'sideways'