1991 New York Giants season

The 1991 New York Giants season was the 67th season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champion but failed to qualify for the playoffs. They were the eighth team in NFL history to enter a season as the defending Super Bowl champion and miss the playoffs. This was the second time the Giants had failed to make the playoffs after winning a Super Bowl, having done so in 1987.

New York businessman Robert Tisch purchased half of the interest in the club. He purchased it from Mrs. Helen Mara Nugent, and her children, Tim Mara and Maura Mara Concannon on February 2.

Offseason
During the offseason, the Giants lost several members of their coaching staff. Bill Parcells retired while defensive coordinator Bill Belichick became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Tom Couglin left the club to become the head coach at Boston College.

Regular season
During the summer of 1991, new Giants’ head coach Ray Handley allowed Hostetler to compete with Simms for the starting job. Coach Ray Handley's choice of Jeff Hostetler to open the 1991 season for the season-opening Monday Night rematch with the 49ers over Phil Simms created controversy.

Hostetler led the Giants to 6 wins in his eleven starts, but broke his back during a week 13 win against Tampa Bay. Simms returned to finish the game, but went 2–3 as Giants starter the remainder of the year and the Giants fell out of the playoffs.