After weeks of speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the New York Giants have landed their next head coach - and it’s a big name. Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has agreed to a five-year deal with Big Blue, officially ending one of the more intriguing coaching searches of this NFL offseason.
But as with most high-profile hires, there’s more to the story than just the final signature on a contract. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Giants didn’t have tunnel vision on Harbaugh. In fact, they reportedly explored another heavyweight option: former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Giants Reportedly Reached Out to Tomlin
Per Pelissero, a member of Giants ownership reached out to Tomlin shortly after he stepped down as head coach of the Steelers last Tuesday. The response? Tomlin stood firm on his previously stated plans - he doesn’t intend to coach in 2026.
That lines up with what we’ve heard since Tomlin’s surprising decision to step away from the sidelines. After 19 seasons in Pittsburgh, including a Super Bowl win and a streak of never having a losing season, Tomlin is reportedly looking to take at least a year off from coaching. And after nearly two decades of the grind, it’s hard to blame him.
Interestingly, Tomlin had just signed a three-year extension with the Steelers in June 2024, which included a team option for 2027. That means if he had decided to jump back into coaching this year, Pittsburgh could’ve been in line for some draft-pick compensation.
But Tomlin didn’t waver. He’s stepping away - not switching sidelines.
Harbaugh Heads to New York
With Tomlin out of the picture, the Giants locked in on Harbaugh, who had been let go by the Ravens earlier this month. Harbaugh brings a proven track record, a Super Bowl ring, and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams - something the Giants have sorely lacked in recent years.
One of the more notable details about Harbaugh’s new role is that he’ll report directly to co-owner John Mara, not general manager Joe Schoen. That’s a significant structural decision and a clear sign of how much influence Harbaugh will have in shaping the franchise’s direction. Whether the Giants would’ve offered the same setup to Tomlin is unclear, but it underscores the level of trust and authority Mara and fellow co-owner Steve Tisch are placing in their new head coach.
What’s Next for Tomlin?
While Tomlin won’t be coaching in 2026, he may not be far from the game. FOX is reportedly the frontrunner to bring him aboard as a studio analyst next season - a role that would keep him in the spotlight while giving him a breather from the daily grind of coaching.
There’s also been chatter that Tomlin might eventually be intrigued by the idea of building a team from the ground up - not just stepping into a plug-and-play situation. That kind of challenge could be appealing down the road. But for now, it looks like he’s hitting the pause button.
As for Harbaugh, the challenge is immediate. The Giants are a storied franchise that’s been stuck in neutral for years. If Harbaugh can bring even a fraction of the stability and success he had in Baltimore, New York might finally have the right man to lead them back to relevance.