The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are among several teams currently searching for their next head coach.
The Giants fired Brian Daboll midway through his fourth season, while the Titans moved on from Brian Callahan after just six games in his second year.
Whoever each team ultimately hires, one thing has become clear about what both organizations are prioritizing in the interview process.
It all starts at quarterback.
“In head coach interviews with the Titans and the Giants, one of the first three questions asked was: ‘What’s your plan for our quarterback?’” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported.
Both teams are set to enter the 2026 season with second-year quarterbacks. Tennessee selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, while New York traded up to the 25th pick to select Jaxson Dart.
Ward finished his rookie season with a 3-14 record as a starter, throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 59.8% of his passes. He also added 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Ward suffered an injury in the Titans’ season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, though it is not expected to impact his availability for the 2026 season.
Dart appeared in 14 games for the Giants, starting 12, and finished 4-8 as a starter. He threw for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 487 yards and nine touchdowns.
The rookie struggled to stay healthy, however, suffering multiple concussions that ultimately cut his season short.
John Harbaugh Could Have Interest in Titans, Giants
One of the most sought-after coaches on the market after his surprising dismissal by the Baltimore Ravens is John Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s tenure in Baltimore ended after 18 seasons, despite a Super Bowl championship on his résumé.
That development could bode well for either the Titans or Giants.
“John Harbaugh is spending today and the next few days watching film specifically on quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward,” Russini reported. “He’s also been in contact with team decision-makers, while continuing to communicate with potential members of his own coaching staff.”
Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer later reported that Harbaugh is narrowing his list of teams to interview with.
“Just spoke with John Harbaugh, who told me that while a ton of teams have reached out to him about their openings, he’s going to take the weekend and narrow down to maybe three or four teams to go interview with rather than all across the board,” Glazer wrote on X.
Whether the Titans and Giants are among those teams remains to be seen. However, the fact that Harbaugh is already studying film of both teams’ young quarterbacks suggests at least a level of interest that could shape how each franchise’s coaching search unfolds in the coming days.