As the 2025 NFL regular season winds down, the New York Giants find themselves at a familiar crossroads - searching for stability at the head coaching position. The team moved on from Brian Daboll earlier this year after a disastrous Week 10 collapse against the Bears, a game that not only dropped the Giants to 2-8 but also saw rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart exit with a concussion. That loss felt like the final straw in a season that never found its footing.
In the aftermath, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka was handed the interim reins - a seven-game audition to prove he could be the long-term answer. But three games in, with three more losses added to the pile, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Kafka won’t be the guy to lead this team forward.
Monday night’s blowout loss to the Patriots was the latest evidence - a game that underscored the lack of cohesion, execution, and direction. So now, with four games left and the playoffs a distant dream, the Giants are effectively back at square one. But that might not be a bad thing - especially if a certain high-profile name becomes available.
Could Mike Tomlin be the answer in New York?
There’s growing chatter around the league that Mike Tomlin, one of the NFL’s longest-tenured and most respected head coaches, could be on the move if things unravel in Pittsburgh. While the Steelers are still in the playoff hunt at 6-6, the bigger picture tells a different story.
They haven’t won a postseason game since the 2016-17 season and have dropped six straight playoff contests. Another 9-8 finish capped off by a Wild Card exit might be enough to spark change - not necessarily from the front office, but possibly from Tomlin himself.
Tomlin isn’t on the hot seat in the traditional sense - he’s earned too much respect and has too strong a track record for that. But if the right opportunity presents itself, one that offers a fresh start and a new challenge, he could decide it’s time to move on. And New York might just be that opportunity.
Why the Giants make sense
The Giants may be short on wins this season, but they’re not short on potential. There’s a young core in place on both sides of the ball, starting with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who’s shown flashes of promise when healthy. Add in playmakers like wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, and a defense anchored by Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and rookie linebacker Abdul Carter, and there’s a foundation worth building on.
For a coach like Tomlin - who’s always thrived on maximizing talent and establishing a culture - this could be a compelling next chapter. The Giants are a legacy franchise in need of a reset, and Tomlin’s no-nonsense leadership style and proven track record could be exactly what the organization needs to get back on track.
He’s the kind of coach who commands a locker room without needing to raise his voice. He’s respected by players across the league, known for his consistency, accountability, and ability to get the most out of his roster, regardless of circumstance. That’s a stark contrast from the recent coaching carousel in New York, where first-time head coaches have come and gone without lasting success.
A legacy move for Tomlin?
Tomlin’s résumé speaks for itself: 189 regular-season wins, 12 playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl title. He’s never had a losing season in 18-plus years - a remarkable feat in today’s NFL. But after nearly two decades in Pittsburgh, the idea of taking on a new challenge, restoring a proud franchise like the Giants, could be a legacy-defining move.
Of course, all of this hinges on whether Tomlin actually decides to leave Pittsburgh - and that’s far from a guarantee. But if he does, the Giants would be wise to pick up the phone. For a franchise that’s cycled through too many short-term solutions, bringing in a proven leader like Tomlin could finally provide the long-term stability they’ve been searching for.
As the coaching carousel starts to spin, keep an eye on this one. If Tomlin becomes available, the Giants could find themselves in position to make one of the biggest hires of the offseason.