John Harbaugh’s First Year with the New York Giants: Challenges, Roster Moves, and Outlook

John Harbaugh, 63, became the New York Giants head coach in May 2025 after the franchise posted the league’s worst record in 2025. He brings an 18-year Ravens tenure (193-124 record, Super Bowl XLVII win, six AFC North titles, 12 playoff trips). In a May 2026 NFL-writers head-coach draft, he was selected 16th overall, behind Brian Schottenheimer and Jesse Minter, reflecting mixed expectations.

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Harbaugh highlighted the tight-end room, signing Isaiah Likely to a three-year deal and pairing him with Theo Johnson; they combined for roughly 1,000 yards on 80 catches in 2025. He re-signed Evan Neal and moved him to interior guard. Safety Tyler Nubin (16.9 % missed tackles) battles Ar’Darius Washington, and cornerback Deonte Banks seeks consistency under defense. Rookie wideout Malik Nabers, who set a franchise record with 109 catches for 1,204 yards, remains out with a complex ACL injury; Darius Slayton is slated to return by training camp.

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The Giants highlighted Harbaugh’s history developing quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson and safety Kyle Hamilton as evidence of his talent-development skill. Harbaugh said the team will be “ready to go either way” on Malik Nabers and targets a return, noting the injury is “not a simple knee.”

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Analysts note Harbaugh’s 16th-place draft ranking, defensive-line gaps without Dexter Lawrence, and the uncertain Nabers timeline as challenges to an immediate turnaround.

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During organized team activities, Malik Nabers attended but did not drill, while rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart practiced with the tight ends. Harbaugh called Nabers’ knee “not a simple” injury and a training-camp goal, yet said the return date is “impossible to predict.” Neal’s contract is confirmed, but his exact guard slot is unspecified, and Likely-Johnson production is only described as “close to 1,000 yards.”

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• “Not a simple knee [injury], you know? So, um, he's in the slog of it, the grind of it, I would say. So, he's fighting through it, and he's here every day working hard at it.” — John Harbaugh, Giants head coach

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• “There’s not a better tight end room in the league.” — John Harbaugh, Giants head coach

John Harbaugh is quietly building the perfect safety net for Jaxson Dart

• “All I care about is tomorrow’s practice, because if tomorrow’s practice is the way it’s supposed to be, that will be one more step in the direction of being a good enough football team to kick the Cowboys’ a--.” — John Harbaugh, Giants head coach

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The Giants open the 2026 season on September 13 at MetLife Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys in a Sunday Night Football game. Harbaugh will aim to have Nabers cleared for training camp, finalize the guard role for Neal, and solidify the tight-end unit before the regular season begins.

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