Jan. 19, 2026, 7:04 a.m. ET
Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan offered high praise for the New York Giants under newly hired John Harbaugh, declaring them “absolutely” a playoff contender for 2026.
Appearing on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown following Harbaugh’s official five-year deal with Big Blue, Ryan highlighted the roster’s talent despite a disappointing 4-13 season that led to Brian Daboll’s firing.
“This team right here is so talented,” Ryan said. “If you go in to build an organization, you want to have a franchise-type quarterback [Jaxson Dart]. We’ll see. I think they might have one right there. You want a franchise left tackle [Andrew Thomas] to protect that quarterback. Check that box. You want a franchise No. 1 receiver [Malik Nabers]. You can check that box.
“And by the way, you’ve got five guys who can absolutely rush the passer,” he continued, referring to Darius Alexander, Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. “You put the right guy in that situation, they may go to No. 1 in the league in defense.
“So, to me, I think absolutely, this is a playoff team.”
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Ryan drew parallels to Harbaugh’s 2008 Baltimore Ravens, who reached the AFC Championship as a rookie head coach with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, and his own 2009 Jets playoff run.
“I think they’ll flip it overnight, I really do,” Ryan added. “Look, John Harbaugh, his first year [in Baltimore], rookie head coach, rookie quarterback, went to a championship game… And the next year, of course, I did.”
Harbaugh himself shares the optimism.
“I think the Giants roster is strong and it’s our job to make it stronger,” he told The Athletic. “We are going to compete for the playoffs and for championships. I expect and want to make the playoffs next year.””
