For their sake, the New York Giants better hope some elements of the Knicks’ championship DNA cross the bridge and wind up at MetLife Stadium.
With only two winning seasons since the start of 2013, Giants fans are understandably craving anything close to a playoff run.
And while new coach John Harbaugh himself isn’t the magic elixir, Sports Illustrated is at least staying positive.
When analyzing each team’s reason for hope and cynicism, SI’s Matt Verderame explained the recent influx of ex-Ravens could help transform the Giants.
Harbaugh brought several of his Ravens players, as well as nearly 15 assistants, to the Giants this offseason. Others, including offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, have not worked for Harbaugh but are also members of the Andy Reid coaching or playing tree.
“The rebuild is ongoing, but the Giants are making strides,” Verderame wrote.
The good vibes around the Giants have stuck around all offseason
Credit to Harbaugh and Joe Schoen, because Giants fans seem genuinely optimistic.
Part of that comes from how the Giants have handled roadblocks, from the Dexter Lawrence trade to the recent Abdul Carter-Jaxson Dart incident.
Despite previously hinting he wouldn’t play if the Giants parted ways with Lawrence, All-Pro pass-rusher Brian Burns later reiterated that he’s committed to Harbaugh and the Giants.
Harbaugh also earned rave reviews for how he addressed Malik Nabers’ publicly questioning the Arvell Reese draft pick.
And, while I’ve been critical of the Odell Beckham Jr. signing, I also acknowledge that Harbaugh and Schoen managed things extremely well.
The Giants didn’t rush to sign Beckham, nor did they immediately close the door on a reunion. They let things play out, and they made Beckham one of three receivers they signed following a tryout.
At least the 33-year-old Beckham has already made a strong case to crack the Week 1 roster. We can’t say the same for JuJu Smith-Schuster or Braxton Berrios.
As with any other team, the Giants still have issues to address. Of course they do.
But with how mediocre the rest of the NFC East could be, the Giants are arguably the division’s only team with a confident fanbase.
Cowboys fans are used to inevitable disappointment, and questions continue mounting about Jalen Hurts’ long-term future in Philadelphia.
As for Washington, a glance at social media shows a fanbase already questioning Jayden Daniels’ ability to stay healthy.
By no means are we projecting the Giants will win the NFC East, much less reach their first Super Bowl since February 2012.
However, you’re seeing an organization that finally believes in itself, and a fanbase ready for whatever the 2026 season throws at them.
That alone is why the Giants went all-in on landing Harbaugh, and why he’s positioned the team to succeed immediately.
Wow, the positivity is spreading to us, too. John Harbaugh is clearly a miracle worker.
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