The New York Giants have made a bold move-and it’s a big one. John Harbaugh is heading to the Big Apple, reportedly signing a five-year deal to become the team’s next head coach.
For a franchise that’s been searching for stability and a spark, Harbaugh brings both. He’s a proven winner, a respected leader, and someone who knows how to build a culture that lasts.
This hire isn’t just about X’s and O’s-it’s about identity. And the Giants may have just found theirs.
But the ripple effects of bringing in a coach like Harbaugh go beyond the headset on Sundays. His arrival could open the door for familiar faces to follow him to New York-and one name to keep an eye on is tight end Isaiah Likely.
Likely, who played under Harbaugh in Baltimore, could be a natural fit in New York’s evolving offense. With Mark Andrews signing a contract extension with the Ravens back in December, Likely’s path to a featured role in Baltimore looks increasingly narrow. That makes him a potential candidate to move-and the Giants could be an intriguing landing spot.
Now, some Giants fans may be wondering: do we really need another tight end? Theo Johnson had a solid 2025 campaign, showing real promise as a young weapon in the passing game.
But this isn’t about replacing Johnson-it’s about complementing him. Imagine a two-tight end set featuring both Johnson and Likely.
That’s a matchup nightmare for defenses, especially in the red zone, where Likely has already shown he can be a serious threat.
Likely’s best season came in 2024, when he hauled in 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. Those are strong numbers for a TE2, and they stack up well next to Johnson’s 2025 stat line of 528 yards and five scores. Adding Likely wouldn’t just be about depth-it would be about creating flexibility and giving second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart more tools to work with as he continues his development.
That’s the bigger picture here. Dart is entering a pivotal season, and surrounding him with reliable, versatile targets should be a top priority.
Likely fits that bill. He’s athletic, experienced, and already familiar with the kind of offense Harbaugh likes to run.
That kind of continuity could go a long way in helping the Giants’ offense find its rhythm early in the season.
Of course, there’s the business side to consider. If other teams see Likely as a potential TE1, he could command a bigger payday elsewhere. But if he’s interested in reuniting with Harbaugh and sees the Giants as a team on the rise, New York becomes a very appealing option.
For Harbaugh, bringing in a player like Likely would mean adding someone who already knows his system and expectations. For Likely, it’s a chance to step into a bigger role without having to start from scratch with a new coaching staff. It’s a move that makes sense on both sides-and one that could quietly help accelerate the Giants’ rebuild.
Bottom line: the Giants didn’t just land a head coach-they landed a magnet. And if that magnet starts pulling in the right pieces, New York might not be far from turning potential into production.