The New York Giants are one of the many teams expected to have interest in former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
According to reports, Harbaugh is viewed as the Giants' No. 1 candidate, even over former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who the team has already interviewed. And, the feeling is apparently mutual.
"John Harbaugh has a high regard for the Giants job and for Jaxson Dart. Of the six [head coach] openings, I believe he might have the Giants at No. 1, or damn close to it," The Athletic's Ian O'Connor reported. "As I wrote yesterday, I believe he hurdles Kevin Stefanski as the leader in the clubhouse."
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Giants and Harbaugh "really like" each other, and New York is hoping to get Harbaugh in the building for an interview by next week.
“John Harbaugh really likes the Giants. They really like him. There’s going to be an interview set up. They’re hoping for the weekend, if not, next week to get him in the building," Russini said.
However, we wouldn't expect an interview between the Giants and Harbaugh to take place this week, as Russini adds the former Ravens coach is going to take some time off before beginning interviews next week.
"Teams that have expressed interest in former Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh have been informed that he plans to take some time to collect his thoughts and plan before beginning interviews next week, sources say," Russini wrote.
With no interview set with Harbaugh yet, these are the coaches the Giants have interviewed or will interview moving forward, per reports.
- Mike Kafka -- Giants interim head coach and offensive coordinator
- Vance Joseph -- Broncos defensive coordinator (ESPN)
- Kevin Stefanski -- former Browns head coach (NFL Media)
- Klint Kubiak -- Seahawks offensive coordinator (Sports Illustrated)
- Mike McCarthy -- former Cowboys head coach (ESPN)
- Lou Anarumo -- Colts defensive coordinator (NFL Media)
- Raheem Morris -- former Falcons head coach (ESPN)
- Antonio Pierce -- former Raiders head coach (ESPN)
As O'Connor noted, Stefanski was the "leader in the clubhouse" for the Giants' gig before Harbaugh became available, so we'd expect that to be the hire if Harbaugh somehow falls through.
The concerns with waiting for Harbaugh is the possibility that he takes another job and Stefanski decides to go elsewhere while waiting for the Giants.
It's also a concern that Harbaugh could have more options if one or more playoff teams decide to fire their head coaches after being eliminated.
But Harbaugh is such a good fit in New York that it's worth the risk.
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