The first big step in the cycle of hiring NFL head coaches was taken by the New York Giants. According to ESPN reports from renowned expert Adam Schefter, the club appointed to the vacant head coach position John Harbaugh, a Super Bowl winner, and became one of nine league teams with an open head coaching vacancy.

“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh told Schefter. “I am proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise, and I am especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families. But most importantly – I can’t wait to get started working with the wonderful players of this football team to see what we can achieve together.”

– John Harbaugh

Context of the transition and expectations

There has not yet been an official announcement from the club, but according to Schefter the deal is for five years.

Harbaugh, who turned 63 this year, became highly sought after after his firing last week by the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent 18 seasons.

According to several sources, he interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, planned to meet with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, and various media outlets also claimed that Harbaugh met with the Giants in person on Wednesday.

Of the nine open vacancies, the Giants were considered one of the most attractive head coaching spots, especially with the promising quarterback Jackson Dart, despite New York’s 4-13 record and lack of a playoff appearance since the 2022 season.

Harbaugh led the Ravens to the Super Bowl championship in the 2012 season. Baltimore defeated the 49ers, coached by his brother Jim Harbaugh, 34-31, in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. During his time with Baltimore, Harbaugh compiled a 180–113 regular-season record and was 13–11 in the playoffs, taking the team to 12 playoff appearances and four AFC titles.

Baltimore had previously been considered a favorite in preseason predictions to participate in the Super Bowl next month in Santa Clara, California, but the team was eliminated from the playoffs after a loss to division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, 26–24.

This transition marks a new era for the Giants and creates the groundwork for expectations of the team’s revival after a difficult period, with an emphasis on long-term development and a return to competitive play in the coming seasons.