When the New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as their next head coach on a five-year deal, expectations are now rightfully high for Big Blue.
Harbaugh brings in 18 seasons of winning experience as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, with just three losing seasons during his tenure, as well as a Super Bowl championship. So, expectations are rightfully high for the Giants in 2026.
With a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, a hopefully healthy Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, an improved offensive line, and a stout defensive front, could there be reason to believe that the New York Football Giants could be the 2025 version of the New England Patriots?
Pro Football Focus names the Giants as contender in 2026
In an article for Pro Football Focus, Thomas Valentine gave an early look ahead to the 2026 season, naming three contenders and three rebuilders, with the Giants among the three teams that could contend immediately, thanks in large part to the Harbaugh hire.
"The Giants made an early statement ahead of free agency by hiring former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh — a move that signals an intention to compete sooner rather than later," Valentine wrote. "The addition of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is somewhat less inspiring, but turning the defense over to Dennard Wilson, who inherits a talented defensive line, is a strong complementary move."
"Ultimately, though, the Giants’ trajectory hinges on the development of quarterback Jaxson Dart (68.4 PFF grade, 27th among quarterbacks). The 2025 No. 25 overall pick flashed playmaking ability as a rookie, showing he can create when structure breaks down. But the Giants must do more to support him this offseason...The Giants aren’t full-fledged contenders yet, but they are clearly trending upward."
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It was very simple when the Giants hired Harbaugh...playoff or bust in 2026. After a third straight losing season and eight over the last 10 seasons, this was a hire the Giants practically needed to do to get back to relevance in the NFL.
The G-Men have the players and the head coach to do just that, so it's certainly very realistic to name the New York Football Giants as legit contenders in 2026.