From the moment the Baltimore Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh, his name catapulted to the top of the list as one of the most desirable head coaches in this year’s hiring cycle. Of course, someone like Harbaugh, who spent 18 years with one franchise and has a Super Bowl title on his resume, isn’t going to throw himself at just any vacancy.
It has to make sense for both him and the organization, and that includes determining how well he’ll mesh with the general manager.
John Harbaugh May Not Be an Option For the New York Giants
If Harbaugh wants to join a team that doesn’t currently have a general manager in place, his options are significantly narrowed. After the Miami Dolphins agreed to terms with Jon-Eric Sullivan to become their next general manager on Friday, the Atlanta Falcons remain the only team with an opening. They also relieved Raheem Morris of his head coaching duties following the conclusion of the season.
The New York Giants have been a popular name in the Harbaugh saga as a potential landing destination, but according to former NFL defensive back Logan Ryan, they won’t even be considered so long as Joe Schoen as it at the helm of their front office.
“I don’t think Harbaugh’s going to go the Giants because of their GM,” Ryan said in an appearance on “Up & Adams” on Friday. “I think Harbaugh’s going to go where he can bring his GM.”
John Harbaugh will NOT coach the Giants if Joe Schoen is still involved, according to Logan Ryan@RealLoganRyan | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/uORNvTEb3W
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 9, 2026
Ryan, who played 11 seasons in the league and won a pair of Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, just narrowly missed his window to play for a team constructed by Schoen. Ryan played two seasons with the Giants in 2020 and 2021, just before Schoen was hired in 2022.
If not for Schoen, the Giants would be an attractive landing destination for Harbaugh. They have their presumed franchise quarterback in place in Jaxson Dart, a battering ram at running back in Cam Skattebo, and a blossoming wideout in Malik Nabers. Skattebo and Nabers are coming off season-ending injuries, but they should both be back on the field without limitations by the time training camp rolls around.
Dexter Lawrence, Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux create a promising defensive front that Harbaugh could help take to the next level. Ryan appeared to indicate that, if Schoen were to be fired in the coming days or weeks, it would be a move that would undoubtedly be followed by the Giants hiring Harbaugh. Schoen wouldn’t be fired if an agreement with Harbaugh weren’t already in place.
“If they can get Harbaugh, if Joe Schoen got fired, it’s for Harbaugh,” he said. “Right now, as it’s standing, Harbaugh’s not going to work for Joe Schoen. I think he’ll go to Atlanta where there’s no GM at the moment.”
The Giants are one of eight NFL teams with head coach openings at the moment, along with the Ravens, Dolphins, Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders.
