The New York Giants are deep into their search for a new offensive coordinator, and two notable names have emerged as serious contenders: former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury and former Titans head coach Brian Callahan. According to reports, the Giants have either already spoken with both candidates or plan to do so soon, with most of their interviews taking place virtually.
This search comes after the Giants' initial target, Todd Monken, accepted the head coaching job with the Browns. With Monken off the board, New York is pivoting to a pair of experienced offensive minds who bring very different resumes to the table - but both with intriguing upside.
Brian Callahan: A Steady Climb with a Rough Stop in Tennessee
Callahan, 41, has built his career from the ground up, starting as an assistant with the Denver Broncos. From there, he made stops as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach and had a brief stint with the Raiders before landing in Cincinnati.
That’s where he really made his mark, serving as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2019 through 2023. During that time, he helped oversee the development of Joe Burrow and played a key role in shaping one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
That success earned him a shot at the top job in Tennessee. But things didn’t go as planned.
In two seasons with the Titans, Callahan’s teams struggled to find consistency, finishing with a combined record of 4-19 and no playoff appearances. Still, his offensive acumen remains respected around the league, and the Giants could be looking at him as a coordinator who’s ready to bounce back in a system where he can focus solely on the X’s and O’s.
Kliff Kingsbury: A Creative Mind Looking for the Right Fit
Then there’s Kliff Kingsbury, 46, whose coaching journey has been anything but conventional. After six seasons as the head coach at Texas Tech - where he posted a 35-40 record and led the Red Raiders to three bowl appearances - Kingsbury briefly accepted the offensive coordinator role at USC before jumping to the NFL when the Cardinals came calling.
In Arizona, Kingsbury’s teams showed flashes of offensive innovation, particularly early in his tenure. He led the Cardinals to a 26-33-1 record over four seasons, highlighted by one playoff appearance.
But ultimately, inconsistency and a lack of sustained success led to his dismissal. He returned to USC as the quarterbacks coach before getting another NFL opportunity as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator in 2024.
That stint came to an end earlier this week when Washington parted ways with him.
Kingsbury’s calling card has always been his offensive creativity, especially in the passing game. He’s known for bringing elements of the Air Raid to the NFL and isn’t afraid to push the envelope with tempo and formations. For a Giants team that needs to inject life into an offense that’s been stagnant, Kingsbury could be an intriguing swing.
What This Means for the Giants
With new head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, the Giants are clearly looking to pair him with a coordinator who can take the offense in a bold new direction. Whether that’s the steady, quarterback-friendly approach of Callahan or the high-ceiling, scheme-heavy style of Kingsbury remains to be seen. What’s clear is that New York is casting a wide net and considering coaches with both NFL and college pedigree - coaches who’ve been in the fire and know how to build an offense from the ground up.
This hire is going to be a critical one for the Giants. With questions at quarterback and a need to modernize the offense, the choice of coordinator could shape the team’s identity moving forward. Whether they go with Callahan’s methodical development or Kingsbury’s aggressive creativity, the Giants are hoping to land a coach who can spark a turnaround on that side of the ball.