The New York Giants made a bold move by bringing in John Harbaugh as their new head coach-and if his early messaging is any indication, he’s not here for a slow rebuild. Harbaugh reportedly expects the Giants to be a playoff team in Year 1, and that means the front office is going to have to get to work fast, especially in free agency.
According to reports, the Giants are expected to be aggressive in pursuing former Ravens players this offseason. That’s not surprising when you consider Harbaugh’s long tenure in Baltimore and the value of bringing in players who already understand his system, his expectations, and his locker room culture. It’s a smart way to fast-track a culture shift-surround your new team with guys who already speak your language.
One name to watch closely: Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens center is heading into free agency, and he checks a lot of boxes for what the Giants need.
He’s young, experienced, and already familiar with Harbaugh’s style. And while the Giants technically already have a starting center in John Michael Schmitz, there’s no question Linderbaum would be an upgrade at the position.
If New York does make a move for him, don’t be surprised if Schmitz shifts over to guard-a spot where the Giants could use help, especially with Greg Van Roten set to hit free agency.
But before any of that can happen, the Giants have to clean up their cap situation. Right now, they’re projected to have just $1.8 million in space, which won’t go far in a competitive free-agent market. That means some tough decisions are on the horizon-cuts, restructures, maybe even trades-to free up room for Harbaugh’s vision.
Still, the idea of Harbaugh reuniting with some of his former players makes a lot of sense. Familiar faces can help establish a new identity in the locker room, and for a team trying to turn the page, that kind of continuity can be invaluable.
The Giants aren’t just looking to improve-they’re looking to reset the tone. And if Harbaugh has his way, that reset could start with a few well-placed Ravens.