The New York Giants are in the thick of one of their most important head coaching searches in over a decade, and as expected, the John Harbaugh rumors have sucked up all the oxygen in the room.
Once the Super Bowl-winning coach was surprisingly fired by the Baltimore Ravens last week, it didn’t take long for the G-Men to be floated as a logical next stop. After all, Harbaugh brings the experience, respect, and culture-shifting presence this franchise hasn't seen since the Tom Coughlin days. He’s the no-brainer candidate, right?
Well, maybe not for everyone. As Big Blue continues interviewing candidates, casting their 'wide net,' one former Giant has entered the conversation with a more skeptical view of how Harbs would fit in East Rutherford.
And it was almost exclusively personal.
New Jersey native and 11-year NFL defensive back Logan Ryan appeared on Kay Adams' Up & Adams podcast and used his own experience with the organization to throw cold water on the Harbaugh-to-New-York buzz. It wasn’t the 63-year-old coach he took issue with, but rather the man still calling the shots in the front office.
“I think New York is more desirable. You have the young wide receiver, young quarterback, young running back, and it’s the New York market, but you got that GM Joe Schoen, who I’m not fond of. I’m just not fond of him from my experience with him. I don’t know why he does what he does. I know he lets a lot of Pro Bowlers walk and play for different teams and whatnot, so I don’t think that’s good. So you have to have someone that wants to inherit that. Inherit Joe Schoen.”
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
Logan Ryan doesn’t see John Harbaugh playing nice with Joe Schoen
Ryan's comments were clearly influenced by his own view of the team that he played for, for two seasons (2020-21), but they echo a broader concern about the front office and its ineptitude over the past couple of seasons.
Related: Giants’ $30 million John Harbaugh rumors just took an unexpected turn
Harbs, known for wanting full control or at least input over football operations, may not love the idea of jumping into a partnership with a GM who’s already under fire for a 7-27 record over the last two seasons. Even if Schoen has added young talent in Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, and others, the on-field results are nonexistent.
The former DB also went as far as to say that if Harbaugh ends up in New York, it likely means Schoen is on the way out -- an interesting take, considering the Giants just recommitted to their GM for 2026.
Furthermore, that narrative has been all but debunked by NFL insider Ian O'Connor, who clarified that while Harbaugh wants influence, he’s not demanding total control or a GM swap to make it happen.
In other words, it’s possible Ryan’s take was almost definitely a lot more personal than anything remotely predictive. It's also impossible to ignore the number of people coming out and saying Harbs will want to can Schoen, even though it's been challenged. Something to keep an eye out for, I guess.
Still, his comments highlight just how important this search is. The Giants have so much riding on this hire. If Harbaugh is truly open to working with Schoen, it keeps hopes of a turnaround alive. And for a franchise that hasn’t had much to be hopeful about lately, that alone is a win.