Big news, 1/16: John Harbaugh’s reaction, coordinator candidates
Hello, New York Giants fans!
From Big Blue View
Another sighting of the Giant
Landing John Harbaugh won the entire Giants organization badly needed | Athletic
Despite all of their recent losses and inefficiencies, the Giants have maintained their status as a storied franchise, especially in the eyes of an old-school football player like Harbaugh. Losing him to the likes of the Tennessee Titans or the Atlanta Falcons would be a devastating blow to the franchise’s fragile season.
Landing Harbaugh was the best outcome as the Giants embarked on an unexpected coaching search. The franchise’s biggest win in a long time. And now, with Harbaugh on board, the belief that he will win more will follow.
SI’s Albert Breer on what won John Harbaugh
Mike Lupica: John Harbaugh hire starts new era of Giants football | New York Daily News
The Giants know exactly what they’re getting. And he knows the kind of opportunity here to bring the Giants back to the top, to become the first coach to ever win the Super Bowl with two different teams, unless Sean Payton beats him to it with the Broncos. Because of everything that has happened to them recently; because of the way they fell; and after the regular managers and coaches that have come and gone since the last Super Bowl over the Patriots, this is as important a hire as the Giants ever made, all the way back to old Tim Mara.
More than anything else, shutting down Harbaugh’s bid before he meets the Titans or the Falcons, sends this big message, not just to the fans, but to the entire league: He’s taking his talents to North Jersey because he’s decided the Giants deserve those skills, not just for coaching but for building culture. And you better believe that even if Joe Schoen stays on as general manager, going forward the football business at MetLife Stadium will go through the new coach’s office.
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John Harbaugh is quickly changing the vision of the Giants, creating a blueprint for relevance SNY.tv
With the coaching search over, owners John Mara and Tisch (who was one of the Giants’ biggest proponents of hiring Harbaugh) can finally breathe a sigh of relief – and maybe even enjoy this weekend’s playoffs. Two in particular. On Sunday, New England will face Houston. Later, Chicago meets the Rams. Last year, those teams won four and five games respectively. Both believe they are close. Both found the right coach — the Patriots with Mike Vrabel, the Bears with Ben Johnson — and made rapid strides. Now, they are into the second round of the playoffs.
The Giants believe they can do the same. Their list is always incomplete. Dart needs more weapons. The offensive line needs real solutions, not temporary patches. The defense, despite the big names, didn’t quite live up to expectations last season. Still, with Harbaugh in charge, the task ahead no longer feels daunting.
At least, the Giants finally have a path forward. And for the first time in a long time, there is good reason to believe in a blueprint for relativity.
The Big Picture: How John Harbaugh Brought Loyalty and Hope to the Giants Every Night | FOX Sports
Honestly, it’s hard to think of a more important moment in Giants history than the moment when John Harbaugh, the coach who won the Super Bowl, which is obviously this year’s prize carousel, decided to accept the great gift that the Giants were so eager to give him. As the new head coach of the New York Giants — the news is expected to be official sometime Thursday — he brings instant credibility. You carry a sense of hope.
And sure, they’re probably in good hands with Kevin Stefanski as well, or Mike McCarthy or some hot coordinator focused on a long career with great stories. But none of them — none — could come close to creating the buzz and excitement that Harbaugh did. No other coach could bring about this kind of seismic change.
Boomer on the roof of the Dart/Harbaugh combo
John Harbaugh made the move to find out if the Giants were worth it | NJ.com
One person who offered insight was former quarterback Eli Manning. Manning reportedly reached out to Harbaugh, but according to reporter Gary Myers, it was actually the other way around.
“Harbaugh started things off by contacting Peyton to get Eli’s phone number and texting him asking to talk,” Myers wrote in X. “Eli then called him. Sources say Manning told Giants owner John Mara two months ago that the team needed an experienced HC who has seen everything in the NFL and can control the structure. Two months ago, the right candidate was not available.”
Inside the Dinner That Sealed the Giants’ Deal with John Harbaugh | SI.com
As the most serious meal in the history of the New York Giants ended on Wednesday night, Tim Salouros, owner of Elia’s restaurant in East Rutherford, NJ, entered his private dining room in the old wine cellar and looked at the group that included general manager Joe Schoen, CEO Chris Mara and the most sought-after NFL coach John Harbaugh.
“After they finished eating, I told them, I know there’s a lot of tension in the room but, as a fan, please sign,” Salouros told Sports Illustrated on Thursday morning. “And if you won’t—I have a back door and I’ll show you that way.” Everyone laughed. The room looked perfect—the owner described the ambiance as “festive” and “celebratory”—and Salouros, despite hearing that Harbaugh had other head coach interviews after this one, knew the Giants had found their dream coach when Harbaugh smiled as he left and said: “I know I’ll see you again soon.”
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John Harbaugh’s first 100 days: A blueprint for rebuilding the Giants | CBSSports.com
Real change timeline After the NFL’s 2025 postseason set a record with five teams having 11 or more losses the previous year — the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers — there will be Giants fans who think a 2026 playoff is achievable. The NFC East will be a tough hill to climb, the Eagles are still loaded with talent and the Cowboys could be a playoff team if they can avoid being the worst scoring defense in the NFL, as they are in 2025.
It will be interesting to see if Harbaugh’s inability to fall late in the game catches up with him in New York, because the difference in a one-point game can make or break a team record. In 2025, the Giants were 1-6 in one-point games while Harbaugh’s Ravens were nearly as bad at 1-4. Baltimore hit 26 streaks of 10 points or more under Harbaugh from 2008 to 2025, the most in the NFL. 12 of them have come in the last five seasons, five more than any team in the league during that time. Harbaugh will bring coaching ability and stability, but time will tell if that will be enough to lift the Giants back into regular playoff contention.
How John Harbaugh did against the Giants’ NFC East rivals | The New York Post
The Super Bowl-winning coach spent 18 years with the Ravens, and before being fired last week, he found plenty of success against the Giants’ NFC East rivals. Harbaugh went 10-5 against the Cowboys (4-1), Eagles (3-2) and Commanders (3-2) while serving as the bench manager in Baltimore. He is 13-11 in the postseason, winning the Super Bowl in 2013 over his brother Jim Harbaugh, who was coaching the 49ers at the time.
Jameis Winston to Cam Skattebo
Ravens 5 free agents could follow John Harbaugh to New York Giants | USAToday.com
The New York Giants are bringing in former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh to run the game next season, but will they bring in some of his players to help ease the transition?
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Here are five players who played for the Ravens who could interest the Giants in free agency this offseason: Center Tyler Linderbaum, Tight end Isaiah Cishe, Offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom, Outside linebacker David Ojabo, and Fullback Patrick Ricard.
2026 NFL Draft: Team needs for all 32 NFL teams | The PFF
New York Giants Positions of need: WR, G, T, CB. Without Andrew Thomas, who earned a 90.3 PFF grade, the Giants have struggled along the entire offensive line. While many positions could be improved, right tackle stands out as a priority as Jermaine Eluemnor is set to enter free agency. Although Eluemunor has struggled as a run blocker, his PFF passer rating on true pass sets (72.3) leaves the door open for potential expansion. If he leaves, New York will need to find a reliable backup for quarterback Jaxson Dart.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: How does Dante Moore’s decision affect the 1st round? | Athletic
5. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. The Giants will be attracted, understandably, to Caleb Downs’ potential impact in the backfield, or the chance to talk to Francis Mauigoa. But Tyson would add a quick playmaker who could help the young quarterback take the next step in his development. Obviously, expected new coach John Harbaugh will have an impact on this selection.
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I went around the league
Eagles HC Nick Sirianni wants to continue to ‘appear as an offense’ | NFL.com
The Eagles’ coordinator search reportedly includes Charlie Weis Jr. | Bleeding Green Nation
Washington Commanders hire DJ Williams as new QB coach | Hogs Haven
NFL playoffs: Sam Darnold added to injury report ahead of Divisional Round | The tribe of SB
Fred Warner ruled out, Ricky Pearsall doubtful for 49ers-Seahawks | Pro Football Talk
Broncos’ Bo Nix wins with games on the line in 2025. Can he do it in the playoffs? | Athletic
Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs: ‘I want to be ready for the first week’ | ESPN.com
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