As John Harbaugh looks to carry the New York Giants into a new era of winning football, his decisions are being heavily scrutinized by fans and analysts. The hiring of Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator has been met with some backlash, but Harbaugh has just been gifted an opportunity to flip the script by adding one of the most coveted assistants in football to his staff.
News broke on Wednesday that long-time Philadelphia Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is stepping away from the team. He's known as one of the best o-line coaches in football, having produced dominant units in recent years.
ESPN's Tim McManus reported that "Stoutland, 63, is not expected to coach next season." It's a long shot, but if Harbaugh can convince Stoutland to join the Giants instead of taking the year off, it could be a massive addition for New York.
Giants' Jim Harbaugh should give Jeff Stoutland a call after Eagles departure
The Eagles, once again, seem to be in the middle of a collapse. After hiring an unproven offensive coordinator, they have lost one of the most important members of their staff. Philly's offensive line may not have been elite in 2025, but Stoutland has put together some formidable groups over the years. Without him, it will be difficult for Nick Sirianni to turn his team around.
Philadelphia's misfortune gives the Giants a chance at scoring a franchise-altering addition. Harbaugh hasn't hired an offensive line coach yet, and the former Eagles assistant could be the perfect fit.
While Stoutland isn't necessarily expected to coach in 2026, it doesn't seem like he's finished with football. Per McManus, the coach's agent "had emphasized Stoutland was not planning to retire from football."
While the unit improved in 2025, the Giants' o-line has been a weak spot for years. Especially in the early stages of Jaxson Dart's development, it will be crucial to support him with adequate protection. Adding talent to the group will be important, but the right coach can go a long way toward solidifying the front.
Assistant coaches of this caliber usually aren't available. At this point, all signs point to Stoutland taking at least one year off from coaching before returning to the NFL. But that doesn't mean that the Giants shouldn't pursue him. An established coach like Harbaugh could be able to convince him to join the Giants' staff. If he pulls this off, it might be the most important move he makes this offseason.