Over John Harbaugh’s 18-year head coaching career, he has earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s elite culture builders. The Super Bowl-winning coach led Baltimore to 13 winning seasons during his tenure and now aims to bring that same success to New York.
Players have already taken notice, including Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who recently revealed the impact Harbaugh has had in such a short time with the organization.
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“He’s a maniac. He’s obsessed. I love it,” Thibodeaux said of Harbaugh while speaking to the media after Tuesday’s practice. The fifth-year linebacker also went as far as to say this is “the best I’ve felt coming into a new year.”
He continued to praise the first-year Giants head coach, saying, “I’ve just loved him so much because every question I had, he’s been able to explain it.”
Thibodeaux later added, “I appreciate the coaches accepting me and accepting who I am, and being able to let me lead.”
Thibodeaux, a former first-round pick, has struggled to find consistency during his first four seasons with the Giants. Now playing under Harbaugh, however, he appears to finally be finding his footing heading into 2026.
Thibodeaux is expected to line up alongside the NFC’s 2025 sack leader, Brian Burns, and Abdul Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, 2026 first-round pick Arvell Reese and recent free agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds are set to man the middle.
The Giants have one of the most intriguing young offenses in the NFL, and Harbaugh is in a perfect position to unlock the unit’s full potential. Jaxson Dart will be under center and will look to build on an uneven rookie season.
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Running backs Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy are both ready to roll, while star wide receiver Malik Nabers continues to work back from his knee injury. The team also brought in Isaiah Likely, Darnell Mooney, and Patrick Ricard this offseason to play major roles in Matt Nagy’s offense.
In 2025, the Giants’ offense posted a 70.7 impact score, ranking 24th among all units, according to PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact. Their defense performed at a similar level, recording a 69.7 impact score and finishing 23rd among all units in PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact.
Harbaugh, an all-time great head coach, already appears to have transformed the culture in New York. It will be worth monitoring whether he can do the same for both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball in 2026.
