Make no mistake that the New York Giants didn’t hire John Harbaugh just to become a borderline playoff hopeful at best.
The Giants went all-out in bringing Harbaugh, as well as plenty of his former Ravens players and assistant coaches, in this offseason. Good vibes and genuine optimism among the fanbase have returned to MetLife Stadium, perhaps for the first time since the Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin era.
Although the Giants might not be Super Bowl contenders just yet, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon doesn’t think they’re too far off.
In fact, Gagnon wrote on Wednesday that the Giants’ next Super Bowl window could begin as early as 2027.
“But boy, is this thing ever ready to swing open!” Gagnon said. “Yes, it’s one of those swinging windows. Arguably a door, but use your imagination. Regardless, the ingredients are there in nearly every key spot.”
Is 2027 a reasonable time for the Giants’ Super Bowl window to open?
At this time last year, the Seahawks weren’t even a consensus playoff team among NFL analysts, much less a viable threat to win the Super Bowl.
Although many believed the Patriots would immediately improve under Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, a title game appearance made a pipe dream look realistic.
Between Harbaugh’s arrival and Jaxson Dart’s presence, the Giants are closer to the Patriots than the Seahawks — and by no means is that a bad thing.
New England had a veteran coach and a second-year quarterback. The Seahawks partnered Mike Macdonald with journeyman Sam Darnold.
The Giants certainly have the young talent to finally turn things around, especially if edge rusher Abdul Carter successfully enjoys that much-needed second-year jump. Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese and right guard Francis Mauigoa are expected to be Week 1 starters.
If we’re talking about a window, then 2027 feels fair. But there is a significant difference between a window and being a legitimate contender.
Think of it this way. The Rams and Bengals both have Super Bowl windows, though even Bengals fans would likely agree that one of those teams has a greater chance of winning it all than the other.
Indeed, Gagnon believes the Bengals have a championship window that could be anywhere between one and six years. As for the Rams, they only have a 1-to 2-year window.
Regardless, Gagnon’s belief that the Giants are this close to an actual Super Bowl window is encouraging.
Of the 12 teams that Gagnon wrote have a closed Super Bowl window, the Giants were among six teams he thinks are “closed ... for now.” That’s far better than the likes of the Cardinals or Browns.
Welcome to the John Harbaugh era, where the Giants are no longer lumped in with the Browns or Cardinals.
Add us as a preferred source on Google