The New York Giants have made a bold move to engage former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh in an attempt to reshape their franchise. Harbaugh, who was recently dismissed from his position with the Ravens, met with Giants management in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Wednesday in what marked his first in-person interview since his unexpected departure.
The Giants are keen to secure Harbaugh and have reportedly expressed an eagerness to offer him nearly anything he desires to take the helm. While there was optimism within the organization about finalizing the deal before he met with other teams, Harbaugh departed without a contract and returned to Baltimore, where he is expected to engage in discussions with officials from the Tennessee Titans and potentially the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite the interest from these other teams, there’s no immediate cause for concern among Giants officials. A source indicated that Harbaugh is taking the time he needs to weigh his options after spending nearly two decades in Baltimore. Harbaugh is anticipated to make a decision soon, possibly by early next week.
During his visit to the Giants’ facility, Harbaugh was shuttled on co-owner Steve Tisch’s private plane and spent over five hours being shown around the grounds. He had meetings with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, general manager Joe Schoen, and was even introduced to promising young quarterback Jaxson Dart, one of the key factors positioning the Giants as an attractive choice for a new coach.
The Giants’ pursuit of Harbaugh began well before his actual release, as they had already embarked on discussions about potential coaching candidates after firing former head coach Brian Daboll. The franchise appears committed to revitalizing its image after years of struggle and has been actively courting Harbaugh since it was clear he would be available.
In their efforts to secure Harbaugh, the Giants have not hesitated to reach out to several prominent alumni, including two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin and former quarterback Eli Manning, urging them to communicate with Harbaugh about the organization. Additionally, even Daboll, who was recently let go, reportedly reached out to Harbaugh to share positive experiences regarding the franchise.
To further sweeten the offer, sources suggest that the Giants are willing to meet Harbaugh’s anticipated salary demand of around $20 million per year and are ready to invest in a quality coaching staff and necessary improvements to the franchise’s infrastructure. Harbaugh’s initial requests have been described as significant but manageable, indicating that the Giants are prepared to go the extra mile to bring him on board.
This proactive approach by the Giants reflects their ambition to emerge from a decade of mediocrity and reinvigorate their team. Should the franchise succeed in securing a coach of Harbaugh’s caliber, it could signify a major turning point in the organization’s trajectory toward success.