The New York Giants appear to be closing in on a major hire - and it’s a name that carries serious weight around NFL circles. According to multiple reports, the Giants are working toward finalizing a deal with longtime Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, with a potential introductory press conference tentatively set for Tuesday.
Now, nothing is signed just yet, but all signs point to this being more than just smoke. One source described the situation as “heading in the right direction,” while ESPN’s Jordan Raanan noted that Harbaugh is expected to push for some significant organizational changes before putting pen to paper. That’s not surprising - a coach of Harbaugh’s stature isn’t just looking for a headset; he’s looking for influence.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the deal could span five years and be worth around $100 million, a number that reflects both Harbaugh’s experience and the Giants’ urgency to reset the direction of the franchise. But this isn’t just about dollars - in fact, Rapoport notes that the sticking points in negotiations aren’t financial. Instead, the focus is on how the organization is structured - specifically, who reports to whom, and how much control Harbaugh would have over football operations.
That’s where things get interesting.
Rapoport also mentioned that there may have been some miscommunication in earlier meetings between the two sides, which could explain the current pause in momentum. Still, the belief is that the deal remains on track, even if there are some hurdles left to clear.
One of those hurdles? Current Giants general manager Joe Schoen.
According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Schoen’s role in the organization could be a key factor in the holdup. Leonard reports that Harbaugh may not be willing to take the job unless he’s given significant authority over personnel decisions - and that could mean either a restructuring of Schoen’s responsibilities or, in a more dramatic scenario, a parting of ways altogether.
That’s a bold ask, but not an unreasonable one given Harbaugh’s résumé. We’re talking about a coach who spent 18 seasons with the Ravens, compiling a 180-112 record, 12 playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl title in 2012.
He was the first Ravens coach to win Coach of the Year (2019) and signed multiple extensions over the years, including one as recently as this past offseason. But after the 2025 campaign, Baltimore decided to move on - a surprising end to one of the most stable coaching tenures in the league.
Harbaugh’s NFL roots run deep. He started his pro coaching journey in 1998 with the Eagles, working as both a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.
A decade later, he took over in Baltimore, where he became synonymous with toughness, discipline, and postseason grit. His playoff record stands at 13-11, and his teams were rarely easy outs in January.
Now, the Giants are hoping he can bring that same edge to East Rutherford. But before any of that happens, the two sides still need to align on vision and structure - and that’s where the real negotiation lies.
As it stands, Harbaugh’s potential hire is holding up the broader NFL coaching carousel. Teams across the league are waiting to see how this domino falls before making their own moves.
And if the Giants do land him, it could send shockwaves through the rest of the league - not just because of the name, but because of what it signals: the Giants are done playing it safe. They’re swinging big, and they want a leader who’s done it all before.
Stay tuned - this one’s not over yet, but it’s getting close.