The New York Giants are still searching for the right architect to build their offense - and, more importantly, to guide the development of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. While head coach John Harbaugh has been busy filling out much of his staff, the offensive coordinator position remains open. And it’s not for lack of effort.
Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen skipped the Senior Bowl to stay in East Rutherford, laser-focused on assembling the right coaching team. Harbaugh had his sights set on bringing Todd Monken with him - the same Monken who helped shape Baltimore’s offense - but that plan unraveled when the Cleveland Browns swooped in and hired Monken as their head coach.
So now it’s on to Plan B. And Harbaugh has made it clear what kind of offensive mind he’s looking for.
“I don’t want a one-system guy,” Harbaugh said. “I want someone who can look at our players and say, ‘OK, what do we have here?’
Because Jaxson Dart can live in different worlds. He can go under center, run play-action, drop back in the gun, run RPOs - I like that versatility.
I want a coach who reflects that.”
With that in mind, let’s break down the known candidates and where things stand.
Davis Webb
Webb is one of the hottest young names in coaching right now. Currently the Denver Broncos’ pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he’s already interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs this cycle. He even pulled himself out of consideration for the Raiders job last week.
The Giants have requested to interview their former backup QB, but that meeting hasn’t happened yet. At 31, Webb is viewed as a rising star, and there’s a real tug-of-war going on.
Denver could promote him to offensive coordinator after firing Joe Lombardi, but that would still leave Sean Payton calling the plays. So the question becomes: how much room would Webb have to grow in that setup?
There’s even some buzz in Denver about Payton potentially handing over play-calling duties to keep Webb in the building. That’s how highly he’s regarded.
Charlie Weis Jr.
This one has a clear emotional connection. Weis was Dart’s offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, and the young quarterback has nothing but glowing things to say about him.
“I loved playing with Charlie,” Dart said. “I made tremendous strides under him.
He’s a great coach, a bright young mind, and he’s going to win a lot of championships. I have all the respect in the world for him.”
Weis followed Lane Kiffin to LSU after Ole Miss, but not before calling plays during the College Football Playoff. So far, he’s turned down opportunities to return to Ole Miss and even the chance to become offensive coordinator for the Eagles.
Could the chance to reunite with Dart in New York change that? As of now, there’s no interview scheduled with the Giants.
Shane Day
Day is another intriguing name. The Chargers’ quarterbacks coach, and a favorite of Justin Herbert, interviewed with the Giants on Saturday. A move from Jim Harbaugh in L.A. to John Harbaugh in Jersey would be an interesting twist.
Those close to the Chargers see Day as a significant asset. His rise from high school coaching to the NFL in just six years speaks volumes about his work ethic and football IQ.
One source described him as “bright and engaging,” someone who “absolutely loves his job” and earns the trust of everyone around him. That kind of energy and relatability could be a great match for a young QB like Dart.
Jim Bob Cooter
Cooter has been in the NFL coaching ranks since he was 25, and at 41, he's already logged time as an offensive coordinator with the Lions (2016-2018). He’s currently in that same role with the Colts, though he’s not calling plays - Shane Steichen handles that in Indy.
Cooter is scheduled to interview with the Giants on Sunday. He’s also interviewed twice with the Eagles for their OC opening. So he’s clearly on the radar around the league.
Alex Tanney
Tanney, another former Giants backup QB, is currently working under Cooter in Indianapolis as the passing game coordinator. He only started coaching after retiring in 2020, so he’s relatively new to the profession.
Still, Tanney interviewed with the Giants on Friday. While he may be a long shot given his limited experience, his familiarity with the organization and quarterback room could give him an edge in terms of fit.
Kliff Kingsbury
Kingsbury’s name keeps popping up in media circles and among fans, but so far, there’s been no credible indication that the Giants are actually pursuing the former Cardinals head coach and Commanders OC.
Bottom Line
John Harbaugh is looking for a play-caller who can be flexible, creative, and - most importantly - adaptive to the skill set of Jaxson Dart. The Giants aren’t looking to force a square peg into a round hole. They want someone who can take the tools Dart brings to the table and build an offense around them, not the other way around.
Whether it’s a young up-and-comer like Webb or Day, a familiar face like Weis Jr., or a seasoned hand like Cooter, the Giants' next offensive coordinator will be tasked with more than just drawing up plays. He’ll be shaping the future of a franchise quarterback in the making.
And that’s not a hire you rush.