John Harbaugh’s interview to be the New York Giants head coach ended without a deal in place. According to reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and others, the longtime now former Baltimore Ravens coach is close to accepting the position, however.
The Tennessee Titans and Atalanta Falcons are two other teams that have been linked to Harbaugh. He interviewed with Atlanta earlier in the week. In Harbaugh, the Giants will get the biggest name on the market this offseason.
He and the Ravens parted ways last week when the franchise fired him after 18 seasons at the helm. Harbaugh guided Baltimore to 180 wins and 12 playoff appearances plus a Super Bowl title. A missed field goal by rookie kicker Tyler Loop cost the Ravens a 13th playoff appearance under Harbaugh.
Now, he will be tasked with helping bring the Giants back to prominence.
Giants Due For Hard Reset
New York already has several key pieces to build around highlighted by quarterback Jaxson Dart. The rookie emerged as the quarterback of the future after taking over the starting job in place of Russell Wilson. He passed for 2,272 yards and accounted for 24 touchdowns over 14 games.
He is one of six finalists for the rookie of the year award.
Breakout rookie running back Cam Skattebo and second-year receiver Malik Nabers both had their seasons come to an end early because of injuries. Both players and Dart give the Giants a strong nucleus of offense heading into the 2026 season.
Harbaugh would have the added advantage of the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Giants have five picks overall heading into the draft.
New York finished with a 4-13 record including a nine-game losing streak in the middle of the season. Former head coach Brian Daboll was fired after 10 games and a 4-point loss to the Chicago Bears. The Giants blew a double-digit lead in the game forcing New York to make a move.
Dart threw for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns over the final two weeks of the season in Giants’ wins.
Mike Kafka served as the interim head coach for the Giants after Daboll was fired in November.
Harbaugh Can Add To Legacy
Harbaugh was the second-longest turned coach in the NFL this season. He sat behind only Mike Tomlin, who stepped down in Pittsburgh on Tuesday after 19 years at the helm. In New York, the 63-year-old coach will get the chance to build on his reputation.
Much like Andy Reid in Kansas City, Harbaugh will get an opportunity for a second act. It likely will be the last job he holds before riding into the sunset, and there will be plenty to fix with the Giants.
Turning around the franchise that has been mired in mediocrity as of late would certainly boost his legacy. The Giants have had just one winning season since 2016. New York went 9-7 in Daboll’s first season in 2022 and reached the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Ravens had seven winning seasons in that same span. They made the playoffs six times and the AFC Championship in 2023.
Harbaugh has collected 193 victories over the course of his career, which ranks 12th all-time.
There will be eight remaining openings left in the NFL when Harbaugh is officially hired by the Giants. Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Miami, Pittsburgh and Tennessee all need to fill their openings.
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