The New York Giants are casting a wide net in their search for a new offensive coordinator, and the latest names to surface have a familiar ring to them-especially for fans who’ve followed the team over the past decade.
According to reports, the Giants have requested permission to interview Indianapolis Colts passing game coordinator Alex Tanney. If that name sounds familiar, it should.
Tanney spent three seasons (2018-2020) as a backup quarterback with the Giants before transitioning into coaching. Now, just a few years removed from holding a clipboard on the sideline, he’s emerged as a rising mind in NFL coaching circles.
Tanney’s coaching journey began in 2021 with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he started as an offensive quality control coach. He quickly climbed the ladder, becoming the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach before joining Shane Steichen’s staff in Indianapolis. Over the past two seasons, he’s served as the Colts’ passing game coordinator-helping develop a young quarterback room while contributing to one of the league’s more creative offensive systems.
Tanney isn’t the only Colts coach on the Giants’ radar. The team has also requested an interview with Indianapolis offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. The two names coming out of Indy suggest the Giants are clearly intrigued by what the Colts have been building offensively-particularly their ability to scheme around young talent and maximize efficiency in the passing game.
But the Giants aren’t just looking to the Colts pipeline-they’re also eyeing another familiar face in Davis Webb. The current Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach, Webb had two separate stints as a backup quarterback with the Giants.
Like Tanney, Webb transitioned into coaching shortly after his playing days ended. And like Tanney, he’s moved quickly.
After joining Sean Payton’s staff in Denver, Webb has been working closely with the Broncos’ quarterbacks, gaining valuable experience in a system that blends old-school structure with modern wrinkles.
What’s clear from these reported interviews is that the Giants are looking at candidates who not only understand the X’s and O’s, but also bring a player’s perspective to the role. Both Tanney and Webb were known as cerebral quarterbacks during their playing days-guys who may not have had long careers on the field, but who soaked up every bit of knowledge from the sidelines.
The Giants’ interest in these younger, recently retired quarterbacks-turned-coaches could signal a shift in offensive philosophy. There’s an evident trend across the league: teams are increasingly valuing fresh perspectives, especially from coaches who’ve played the position and can relate to today’s quarterbacks.
As the Giants continue their search, the focus appears to be on innovation, adaptability, and familiarity with the organization’s culture. Whether it’s Tanney, Webb, or another candidate, the next offensive coordinator will be tasked with revitalizing a unit that’s struggled to find consistency-and doing so in one of the most demanding media markets in football.
The search is still ongoing, but the Giants’ approach so far suggests they’re looking to build something sustainable, with voices that understand both the grind of the game and the nuances of modern offensive football.