\nEditor’s Choice<\/h2>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n
Harbaugh was considered the best coach in the entire league. He was a top pick by the Giants and getting him was a big step for an organization hoping to be a legacy hired by owner John Mara.<\/p>\n
It is also similar to Harbaugh’s brother, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who recently said: “Like I told him, any team he goes to will be great.”<\/p>\n
“I just hope it’s in the NFC.”<\/p>\n
Jim was lucky enough, of course — and the Giants won’t be playing the Chargers in 2026. The NFC East, meanwhile, must begin fighting for a much bigger challenge.<\/p>\n
ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley, NFL national reporter Dan Graziano, NFL analyst Jordan Reid and NFL analyst Ben Solak answer the tough questions about why Harbaugh is with the Giants — and what’s next for New York.<\/p>\n\nJohn Harbaugh’s agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that seven teams reached out 45 minutes after he was fired even though there were only six head coaching vacancies at the time, not including the Ravens. Kathryn Riley\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\nAs for the Giants, why John Harbaugh?<\/strong><\/h2>\nJust look at the CV. Why not? He is a Super Bowl-winning head coach who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons. The Giants have made the playoffs just twice in the last 15 years. They needed to be trusted immediately. A league source who has been closely monitoring their coaching campaign came up with a picture last week that their hiring of coaches will have previous experience. That was very important to them in this program.<\/p>\n
Well, Harbaugh became an NFL head coach when Eli Manning won his first Super Bowl in 2008. Several players also told ESPN that they thought the organization needed discipline and a coach who had a record of demanding respect from the entire locker room the minute they arrived. Harbaugh does that. — Raanan<\/em><\/p>\nWhat are the realistic expectations for the Giants with Harbaugh, in the near and long term?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe source said Harbaugh is expected to earn approximately $20 million per season. So, obviously, expectations are high, especially with a young quarterback like Jaxson Dart already in place. It’s easy to say that the Giants could be next year’s New England Patriots or the Chicago Bears with a new coach in Year 1, but they have a lot of work to do before getting to that point in terms of roster construction.<\/p>\n
That may be Harbaugh’s first big challenge — building the roster he wants with the right people in the room. But make no mistake, it’s a long-awaited return to being a Super Bowl contender. The Giants and Harbaugh think they have the core and organizational structure to make that happen, and they may make him the first coach to win Super Bowls for two different franchises. — Raanan<\/em><\/p>\n\n
play<\/span>\n2:06<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Orlovsky: This is the best day the Giants have had since winning the Super Bowl<\/p>\n
Dan Orlovsky and Andrew Hawkins react to John Harbaugh filling the void to become the next coach of the Giants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Why did Harbaugh choose the Giants over other teams with slots?<\/strong><\/h2>\nLet’s start with ownership. They did a full court press on Harbaugh and opened the vault. He earns well and has been given permission to build a great team of coaches and supporters. So they promise the resources needed to do a successful job. Dart was also a big part of the sales pitch. Harbaugh has done his homework on quarterbacks since the opening and came away impressed. The two met one Wednesday when Dart visited the center for two hours.<\/p>\n
The Giants also sold Harbaugh on their young core (Dart, WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, OLBs Brian Burns and Abdul Carter and DT Dexter Lawrence II) in addition to having the draft capital, salary cap space and financial flexibility to build the team Harbaugh desired. They were simply better placed than the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons, among others who were interested in his services. — Raanan<\/em><\/p>\nHow will Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen work together?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe bottom line here is that Schoen’s presence didn’t prevent the Giants from getting their clear top option. In fact, he played a major role in pursuing and recruiting Harbaugh. We’ll have to see exactly how it plays out, but there’s nothing so far to say Harbaugh isn’t willing to work with the Giants’ general manager.<\/p>\n
Undoubtedly, Harbaugh will have an important say. That happens when you hire a coach with this kind of pedigree. The question is how much. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on going forward. — Raanan<\/em><\/p>\nHow can Harbaugh get the most out of Dart? What will be different about Dart vs. Lamar Jackson?<\/strong><\/h2>\nFirst, by bringing in the right offensive coordinator. All signs point to Todd Monken being that guy, as long as he is hired as a head coach. Monken helped Jackson reach the next level as a passer and the hope would be that he can do the same for Dart, who shined as a rookie.<\/p>\n
But there is work to be done. Dart finished with a league-high 34% passing rate under pressure this past season. He should be helped by Harbaugh’s experience building an offense and system with a quarterback who makes a lot of non-script plays and his legs. There will continue to be a lot of focus on the running game. Philosophically that will never change. — Raanan<\/em><\/p>\n\nPigskin Props<\/h2>\n
Make your Super Bowl LX prop selection for FREE! Create a group and invite your friends and family to play. FREE to play<\/b><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n
Just look at how Harbaugh helped Jackson at different stages of his career. Harbaugh ran the Ravens as CEO and was involved in every aspect of the team, including the development of Jackson. In Jackson’s second season, Harbaugh promoted Greg Roman to offensive coordinator because of his expertise in the difficult run-pass option scheme. The result: Jackson redefined the game’s most important area, becoming the first player in league history to produce 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.<\/p>\n
When Jackson took his passing game to the next level in 2023, Harbaugh hired Monken to replace Roman as offensive coordinator. Jackson won his second MVP in 2023 and recorded career highs of 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes. Harbaugh may not call the plays, but he creates a vision and an environment that fosters success for young quarterbacks. — Hensley<\/em><\/p>\nWhat do we hear about the league in terms of recruitment?<\/strong><\/h2>\nHarbaugh was a top candidate, so I commend the Giants for getting him. They were so aggressive that he didn’t even take any other meetings, canceling Thursday’s scheduled meeting in Baltimore with Tennessee Titans officials on Wednesday night. My guess was that people around the league felt the Giants would have a chance because of their culture and Harbaugh’s connection to NFL history, as well as the presence of a promising new quarterback in Dart.<\/p>\n
Harbaugh fielded a number of questions while in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Wednesday about the organizational structure and future plans for the team’s facilities. (He’s from Baltimore, where the Ravens made a major overhaul of their entire structure a few years ago.) But he seems to have heard all he needed to hear.<\/p>\n
Several people have pointed out to me that Harbaugh might be the one to restore the kind of stability the Giants have lacked since Tom Coughlin was traded following the 2015 season. — Graziano<\/em><\/p>\n\n
play<\/span>\n1:44<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Why Stephen A. was blown away by the Giants hiring John Harbaugh<\/p>\n
Stephen A. Smith reacts to the news of John Harbaugh preparing to become the next head coach of the Giants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What are the results of training carousel dominoes now?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Titans and Atlanta Falcons were two other teams on Harbaugh’s short list, so they will need to rotate. Assuming Matt LaFleur’s extension is done with the Green Bay Packers (which is expected to happen, league sources told ESPN on Saturday), the next name to watch might be former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. He communicated well throughout and is interested in jumping into another head coaching role immediately if the situation is right. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Falcons and\/or Titans push to acquire Stefanski soon when Harbaugh is off the market.<\/p>\n
Teams that know they can’t get Harbaugh continue to search, and with the first domino falling, we saw a lot of movement up front and out this weekend. Another implication is that teams looking for Monken as an offensive coordinator may be out of luck, as he is now the favorite to go with Harbaugh to the Giants. — Graziano<\/em><\/p>\nHow can Harbaugh improve his new team to No. 5 in the draft?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\nWhat you need to know about the 2026 NFL draft<\/h2>\n
\u2022 Mock draft:<\/b> Reid | It said | MillerLevels:<\/b> Remove | Miller | Reid | Yates
Harbaugh brings a win-now mentality to the Giants, and the same can be said for the team’s draft strategy as New York looks for an immediate top-five starter.<\/p>\n
With Malik Nabers coming off an ACL tear and Wan’Dale Robinson entering free agency, receiver is among the Giants’ top needs. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson are the top names at the position, but USC’s Makai Lemon could be an option. I ran Tate to the Giants in my mock draft earlier this month, and I like his polished route running and split ability. He has caught nine games this season.<\/p>\n
Right tackle could quickly become a hole as Jermaine Eluemunor is set to hit free agency and could cash in on a new deal elsewhere. That’s why I watch Francis Mauigoa from Miami, my top offensive lineman. He is considered a plug-and-play starter at the next level. Utah’s Spencer Fano may also be considered; you have good movement characteristics. — Reid<\/em><\/p>\nHow would you rate this recruitment?<\/strong><\/h2>\nGrade: A. <\/strong>The Giants have been riding head coaches for a decade since Coughlin retired and need a firm hand at the helm. Harbaugh brings a lot of team-building and playoff experience, and his work with a mobile quarterback in Jackson will benefit the Darts.<\/p>\nOne of the reasons Harbaugh lost the road in Baltimore was his difficulty hiring the right coordinators, so all eyes will be on his staff now. Harbaugh is a tough recruit the Giants were smart to secure before he had a chance to talk in person with other teams. — Solak<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jan 17, 2026, 04:00 PM ET The New York Giants signed John Harbaugh when he was waived by the Baltimore Ravens. They officially signed him as their new coach on a five-year contract on Saturday. The Giants have gone 7-27 over the past two seasons and know that Harbaugh may be on the move. They …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3138"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3140,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3138\/revisions\/3140"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}