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It is all about Joe Judge now.

The Giants mercifully ended their horrid season with Sunday’s desultory 22-7 loss to Washington in front of the smallest gathering — cannot call it a crowd — in MetLife Stadium history. General manager Dave Gettleman will announce his retirement on Monday, ending his failed four-year run. And then comes the big decision looming over the entire organization:

Does Judge stay or go? There is a growing sense the Giants move on from him.

“The fans deserve better than what we gave them this year, our team deserved better than what we accomplished this year,’’ Judge said after the game.

“My focus right now is already on next season immediately and changing everything we have to, making every necessary adjustment so we come out here next year and we play the type of football that we have the exact results that we want to have as an organization.’’


  Giants coach Joe Judge on the sideline during Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team on Jan. 9, 2022. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Giants coach Joe Judge on the sideline during Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team on Jan. 9, 2022. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

There is no guarantee Judge will get the chance to enact these changes. He was asked if he is worried about his job security and responded, “I’m not going to worry about these hypotheticals right now. I understand it’s going to be the question of the day.’’

Around Christmas, Giants ownership was feeling good about bringing Judge back for a third year. The one caveat: The team could not devolve into a laughingstock down the stretch of the season. Since then, nothing has gone right for Judge, as his team lost its last six games by a combined score of 163-56 to close out a 4-13 season by often not putting a competitive product on the field.

Judge lost his quarterback, Daniel Jones, to a sprained neck and the offense without him went from bad to inept, averaging 9.3 points in the final six games.

“I’m not going to go through a full diagnosis,’’ Judge said of what is on his fix-first list. “I don’t think it takes much thinking to go ahead and list the offensive production as an obvious thing we’ve got to correct immediately around here.’’


  Jake Fromm is sacked during the Giants’ loss to Washington. Robert Sabo Jake Fromm is sacked during the Giants’ loss to Washington. Robert Sabo

Judge did not help himself at all with his 11-minute rant last week after the 29-3 loss in Chicago, mentioning sideline fights and “clown show’’ organizations, clearly referring to Washington, and stating he was told the 2019 Giants quit, an unnamed indictment of former head coach Pat Shurmur. This caught the attention of co-owner John Mara, who was quite irritated with these comments.

Interestingly, Judge, when asked what he took from this season, said this:

“I can tell you last year there are a number of things I learned to do on the job. Probably this year some of the things I learned is a lot more of what not to do, to be honest with you. There’s a number of things I learned where that will never happen again. You touch that hot plate, you learn it’s hot, you’re not gonna touch that thing again.’’

Mara after hiring Judge — exactly two years ago to the day — said he had to show more patience with Judge because he was a first-time head coach, acknowledging that getting rid of Ben McAdoo after 28 games and Shurmur after two seasons were signs of an unstable operation. But Mara also said he had to see signs of progress.

Gettleman, 19-46 in his four years, will be sent off into retirement.

Prior to the game, Gettleman, 70, stood in front of the Giants’ bench and posed for pictures with members of his family. Gettleman declined to stop and speak with reporters as he left the press box.


  Joe Judge gets hugs prior to the Giants’ loss to Washington. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Joe Judge gets hugs prior to the Giants’ loss to Washington. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The sights and sounds of this final game were an indictment of just how low the Giants have fallen. The official attendance was listed at 69,923 but there probably were that many no-shows.

The Giants saved their worst for last. In the second quarter, they actually called for and ran back-to-back quarterback sneaks with Jake Fromm, totally capitulating when they were backed up on the 2-yard line. The Giants were so fearful of getting pushed back into the end zone for a safety that they gave up on the series in a game they were trailing 3-0.

The new general manager, expected to come from outside the organization — if that happens, it will be the first time since 1978 the Giants do not hire their GM from within — will face daunting questions. Does he have a previous connection to Judge? If not, can he work with Judge? Is he a believer in Jones as the quarterback to lead this franchise out of the darkness of losing?

Safety Logan Ryan, a staunch Judge supporter, said, “I’m not going to answer hypotheticals’’ when asked if he wanted Judge to return. Linebacker Lorenzo Carter, an impending free agent, said he wants to return because “Coach Judge has something going.’’ Saquon Barkley, another strong Judge advocate, said “I spoke in the past how I feel about Judge … and I’ll leave it at that.’’

Judge said he expects his sit-down with Mara “will definitely be this week.’’

Asked how far the Giants are from being a contender, Judge said, “I know we’re closer than we are further away. I’ll leave it at that right there.’’

No doubt, Mara will not leave it at that right there.

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