Well, Giants fans, it’s been a crazy week in the quest for former Baltimore Ravens head coach and newly crowned King of New York, John Harbaugh.
From inaccurate reporting by certain media outlets and “insiders,” to rumors flying left and right, to a full play-by-play information cycle covering every minute of the Harbaugh hiring… we can all finally exhale.
Thank God.
I will be very happy to never receive another screenshot of plane-tracking software asking me to confirm the whereabouts of Steve Tisch’s jet, as if I’m air traffic control, or to explain the basics of contract law to the entire internet ever again.
I’m not going to rehash the Harbaugh hiring timeline. We already lived through that chaos once, and I don’t really feel like doing it again. If you want the blow-by-blow coverage, feel free to check out my X, Instagram, and TikTok from this past week.
As the great offensive coordinator Brian Daboll once said, “Don’t look too far back, but don’t look too far ahead either.” I’ve officially looked back for a paragraph’s worth, so now let’s look ahead just a bit and break down what we can expect with Harbaugh in New York.
Immediate Expectations
A new way of doing things
Harbaugh will report directly to ownership. That’s a major shift for the Giants, who have never operated this way before. There will be an adjustment period, but make no mistake, this is John Harbaugh’s show now.
Limited leaks
Baltimore, along with teams like Philadelphia, Buffalo, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh, is notoriously tight-lipped. Media leaks are minimal, and while no organization is immune, the Ravens have operated for nearly two decades with almost zero information getting out. And not even in the strategic way Philly uses the media.
A swift culture change
Harbaugh will bring his experience and his Super Bowl–winning pedigree to One Giant Way immediately. You don’t stay in contention year after year without a championship-level mindset and work ethic. Expect that standard to be set from Day One.
Camp Cupcake is over
It’s no secret that former Giants head coach Brian Daboll ran a fairly lax training camp. That’s not how Harbaugh operates. You want to win championships? Then you bring that level of intensity every day. And that includes practice.
Doing it his way
Harbaugh will bring in his people and start putting the right pieces in place for this staff. If he likes it, we love it.
Accountability
Something this building hasn’t truly seen since the Tom Coughlin era. It’s time for these guys to put their big-boy pants on and take responsibility for themselves.
Longer-Term Expectations
The Giants fanbase is understandably ecstatic about this hire and they should be. Harbaugh’s arrival will change the trajectory of this franchise for the better, and it’s long overdue.
That said, I’d caution everyone to temper expectations a bit in Year One.
I know. Everyone wants a Super Bowl. I do too. But getting to a Super Bowl is hard (Josh Allen, anyone?), let alone winning one. Instead, let’s focus on the smaller things that compound over time and ultimately lead to championship-level football.
Back to basics
No more missed tackles, miscommunication, or blown assignments.
Depth
A lack of depth has plagued this franchise for years. Harbaugh will absolutely address this as he builds not just this roster, but future ones as well.
Smart football
It’ll be refreshing to watch a team that doesn’t constantly shoot itself in the foot and plays a more disciplined brand of football.
Player development
Another long-standing issue. It’s been infuriating watching players leave the Giants only to thrive elsewhere. That has to stop and I expect that it will.
Preparation
Harbaugh’s teams are always prepared. Gone are the days of the Giants looking confused, flat, or lifeless on the field. That won’t fly anymore.
Competitiveness
With each other, on the field, and within the division. The NFC East is always wide open — so why not the Giants?
Winning
You don’t hire a coach like John Harbaugh to win four games. This is the guy you bring in to turn a franchise around. Expect the Giants to be at least a .500 team in 2026.
All I’m really asking for is for this team to be competitive in the division and playing meaningful football in December. I’ve had my fill of the season effectively being over by Halloween, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t think that’ll be the case in 2026.
I’m not saying the Giants are winning a Super Bowl in 2026.
But I am saying a new era of Giants football has officially arrived.
Buckle up Giants fans. It’s going to be quite the ride.
