The New York Giants are in the market for a head coach. They’re exploring all options this offseason, with general manager Joe Schoen leading the search. Whether Schoen should still be in that building is debatable, but hiring this head coaching candidate will fix everything.
Every year, the head coach carousel starts spinning, and there is always a favorite. Last season, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the hottest name on the market. He’s turned the Chicago Bears into the kings of the NFC North and a playoff contender.
The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh on January 6th. His 18-year tenure has come to an end, and he’s this year’s Ben Johnson.
In his time with the Ravens, Harbaugh amassed a 180-113 regular season record, a 13-11 playoff record, and a Super Bowl victory. He’s been a mainstay in Baltimore and coached Lamar Jackson into superstardom. Not only is he the hottest name in this year’s cycle, but he’s also the hottest name in recent history.
The Giants are coming off their third consecutive season with a losing record. They’ve fired head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Joe Schoen. They have a top-five draft pick once again, but this year is different for them.
The Giants drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart last year, arguably the best rookie QB of the year. He’s been a superstar who’s given this team some much-needed life. There’s a laundry list of problems in East Rutherford, but he’s the solution.
Harbaugh as Dart’s head coach would be a generational move. His success with Jackson in Baltimore speaks for itself, and Dart’s talents are comparable to the two-time MVP. He handles pressure well, can extend plays with his legs, and can seemingly make any throw. These two could create something special in New York, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
It’s easy to say the Giants are the most enticing job on the market right now. The Ravens have Jackson, but are missing several key pieces around him. New York has great talent and a remarkably bright future.
Outside of Dart, the Giants have Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Theo Johnson, and a top 10 offensive line. Jackson notwithstanding, this could be the most offensive talent Harbaugh has had in several years.
The Giants’ defensive line is stacked with talent as well. Dexter Lawrence, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns are a force, especially now that defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has been fired. The pass-rush is something Harbaugh can only dream of.
If all of that wasn’t sweet enough, the Giants also hold the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Whether it’s Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, or even Arvell Reese, Harbaugh can bring in an immediate game-changer. With Dart already proven in the league, the hunt for a QB is over, and this team can finally build something.
If the Giants can’t land Harbaugh, they need to pursue Kevin Stefanski. The former Cleveland Browns head coach is a two-time Coach of the Year winner. He was the biggest name in this cycle until Harbaugh was cut loose.
Stefanski is a terrific fit for New York as well. He works well with quarterbacks, he can make even the worst offense entertaining, and he turned Cleveland’s defense into one of the NFL’s best. He’s supremely talented but was bogged down by the Browns’ incompetence.
Bringing in Stefanski and the right defensive coordinator can turn this team around in an instant. Harbaugh is the big fish, but Stefanski is no small fry. The Giants need to lock one of these two down this offseason. They’re the home runs; everyone else that’s available is a gamble right now.
It’s been reported that the Giants have been doing homework on Harbaugh for weeks, in the event of his firing. They’re also reportedly “all-in” to bring him to New York. While there have been reports that the former Super Bowl champion “really likes” the Giants, he has yet to confirm or deny that.
The biggest hurdle for this pairing may be the Miami Dolphins. They previously stated that Mike McDaniel would remain their head coach. After Harbaugh’s firing, they fired McDaniel, and it’s clear they’re pursuing the Ravens’ former coach.
The Dolphins are an interesting job to take. Tua Tagovailoa is still under contract, but the team seems to want to move him. They hold the 11th pick in the Draft and are bringing in a new general manager. It’s not crazy to assume Harbaugh could go to South Beach, but is there a more enticing job than the Giants?
The Giants tend to make bad decisions. We’ve seen them hire head coaches like Ben McAdoo and Joe Judge, and seemingly never learn their lesson. They shouldn’t be shopping for a coordinator turned head coach; they need an experienced leader to change the culture.
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