It is over. Check that, it has only just begun. The John Harbaugh Era with the Giants is underway – a declaration that the Giants and their success-starved fans are enthralled to celebrate
The news of this pairing broke late last Wednesday night and the holdup until the contract was signed and it became 100 per cent, iron-clad official that the Giants landed Harbaugh as the 24th head coach in franchise history lasted until midday on Saturday. Sometimes good things are worth waiting for.
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The Giants vowed when getting into this high-stakes competition for Harbaugh that they would do whatever it took to get him, including meeting the significant financial commitment it would take to make it happen. They did that, giving Harbaugh a five-year deal expected to be worth $100 million, launching him from the near-top to the top of the NFL head coach money list.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid signed a five-year extension worth $100 million in April of 2024. That annual average of $20 was tops in NFL history. Sean Payton ($18 million a year) was next in line. Harbaugh was set to make $17 million in 2026 from the Ravens.
Harbaugh, in March of 2025, signed a three-year extension with the Ravens that ran through 2028. The Ravens owe him $34 million on that contract, so that lightens the load on the Giants, somewhat.
In a departure from Giants tradition, Harbaugh will report directly to co-owner John Mara.
In the past, the general manager was the conduit for the head coach to speak with ownership. Given that Mara is in the building every day and is in contact with the general manager and head coach on a daily basis, this is not as critical as it is in other organisations.
The financial particulars did not cause any holdup. Rather, there was specific language in the detailed contract that needed to be sorted out. “It takes time,’’ someone in Harbaugh’s camp with knowledge of the negotiations told the Post Thursday night.
That this lingered through day and night on Friday and into the weekend caused a certain level of consternation from a fanbase that, for lack of a better phrase, is not accustomed to nice things. At least not for quite a while. The initial news that Harbaugh agreed to come to the Giants was met with euphoric, triumphant and near-unanimous approval and that it took so long for this coronation to be made official was a wait that caused a pit in the stomach of Giants fans, a group that has come to expect stuff not working out for this franchise.
Stuff worked out with this one, as the Giants are now under the football purview of one of the league’s most highly-regarded head coaches. Harbaugh, 63, won a Super Bowl after the 2012 season with the Ravens and now will try to become the first coach in NFL history to win one with a second team. The Giants, coming off 3-14 and 4-13 seasons, are not realistically in the Super Bowl conversation for the 2026 season but the addition of Harbaugh greatly improves their chances to
become a winning operation.
This will become a bigger operation. Harbaugh’s program in Baltimore was immense. If a team has a four-person analytics group, Harbaugh wants more. One nutritionist? Add another. Large support staff? Make it larger. Strength and conditioning department? Hire more. This is all about maximising and enhancing the talent in the building.
Now comes the time for Harbaugh to dig into the job.
He has a staff to assemble. That means speaking with the coaches from Brian Daboll’s staff that remain under contract. Perhaps Harbaugh decided to retain a few of them. Carmen Bricillo and Jame Ferentz are well-regarded for their work with the much-improved offensive line. Charlie Bullen after he was promoted from outside linebackers coach to interim defensive co-ordinator directed an uptick in the production.
Harbaugh needs all three co-ordinators. Todd Monken ran the offence in Baltimore the past three seasons and he should be considered a top candidate to accompany Harbaugh to the Giants. To run the defence, Anthony Weaver (Dolphins), Jim Leonhard (Broncos) and Dennard Wilson (Titans) are solid options. Weaver worked for Harbaugh with the Ravens from 2021-23, so there is a connection there. Harbaugh could also go with Zach Orr, who played linebacker for him and was his defensive co-ordinator in Baltimore the past two seasons.
With eight head coach vacancies remaining around the league, it is an advantage for the Giants they got this hire done first. Once teams begin filling their jobs, the movement with co-ordinators and position coaches will be fast and furious. Harbaugh spent 18 years as the head coach in Baltimore and he has an expansive network. One of the many aspects to the Giants’ attraction to Harbaugh is the belief he will be able to put together an outstanding coaching staff.
It is a whole new world for the Giants, with John Harbaugh as their football leader.
THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE NEW YORK POST AND REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION.
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