At a Glance
- John Harbaugh signed a five-year contract to become the New York Giants head coach
- He was fired by the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6 after 18 seasons, 180 wins and a Super Bowl title
- Giants have cycled through six coaches since 2015, with only two playoff appearances
- Why it matters: Harbaugh’s track record with young QBs could unlock rookie Jaxson Dart’s potential and end a decade of instability
The New York Giants have officially hired John Harbaugh as their next head coach, ending a months-long search that followed yet another disappointing season.
Harbaugh and the club finalized a five-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 63-year-old was dismissed by the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6 after 18 years, leaving as the franchise’s all-time wins leader with a 180-113 regular-season record and a Super Bowl XLVII championship.
A New Voice for a Historic Franchise
“I’m proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise,” Harbaugh told ESPN. “Most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team.”
The hire marks the Giants’ seventh head coach since Tom Coughlin stepped down after the 2015 campaign. Over that span the team has:
- Posted eight losing records
- Reached the playoffs only twice
- Notched a single postseason victory
Harbaugh built his reputation on special teams before taking the Ravens job in 2008. He will need to assemble new offensive and defensive coordinators in New York, something he has done successfully before-nine of his former assistants have become NFL head coaches.
Young Core Awaits
Despite recent struggles, the roster features a budding core. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 24 total touchdowns, while rookie running back Cam Skattebo added seven scores. Other foundational pieces include:
- Receiver Malik Nabers, 22
- Tackle Andrew Thomas, 26
- Edge rusher Brian Burns, 27
- Linebacker Abdul Carter, 22
Harbaugh has experience molding young quarterbacks. He won a Super Bowl with Joe Flacco, drafted months after Harbaugh’s arrival, and coached Lamar Jackson to two MVP awards.
Immediate To-Do List
The Giants hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 draft and have clear needs at offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback. Key free agents scheduled to hit the market in March include receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor.
Coaching Carousel
New York fired Brian Daboll midway through the 2025 season after he posted a 20-40-1 record over three-and-a-half years. Interim coach Mike Kafka went 2-5, though he ended on a two-game winning streak.
Harbaugh’s arrival brings stability to a franchise that has lacked it for nearly a decade. His proven ability to develop talent and maintain competitiveness will be tested quickly as the Giants look to return to contention in an increasingly tough NFC East.
Key Takeaways
- Harbaugh’s five-year deal offers the Giants their most accomplished coach since Coughlin
- A history of elevating young quarterbacks aligns with Jaxson Dart’s development timeline
- New York owns premium draft capital and cap flexibility to reshape the roster around Harbaugh’s vision
