John Harbaugh has a new chapter ahead. The long-time Baltimore Ravens coach was suddenly out of a job after the team failed to make the playoffs in a season hampered by an unhealthy Lamar Jackson, who struggled to perform even when on the field. The Ravens ultimately decided Harbaugh had lost his hold on the team, and owner Stephen Bisciotti shook his hand and showed him the exit.
Any doubts about Harbaugh’s reputation in professional football evaporated immediately. Within minutes of the news breaking, calls poured in from teams interested in his services. It was clear: Harbaugh would have options, and plenty of them.
True to form, Harbaugh made a decisive choice. He accepted the head coaching job with the New York Giants, a team that has struggled for nearly a decade, posting eight losing seasons in the last nine years. While the Giants boast talent at key skill positions and a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, Harbaugh’s challenge will be reshaping a culture where players once again believe winning is possible.
Harbaugh knows how to build competitiveness
The Giants are banking on Harbaugh’s strength: his ability to identify exactly what a team needs to succeed. Turning New York into a contender in the NFC East won’t be easy. The Philadelphia Eagles are poised to remain a dominant force, and the Washington Commanders could bounce back after a disastrous, injury-plagued 5-12 season last year.
Harbaugh isn’t a miracle worker, but 2026 should see a marked improvement over last year’s 4-13 squad. Expect growth on defense and special teams, and a healthy Cam Skattebo could be the catalyst that transforms the offense into a surprisingly effective unit.
Significant roster changes are coming, and Harbaugh isn’t likely to tolerate average players. The Giants are expected to part ways with multiple veterans. Here’s a closer look at one of the notable players likely to be cut:
LB Bobby Okereke
Bobby Okereke isn’t just a role player. Last season, he led the Giants with 143 tackles, added 2 tackles for loss, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. A borderline Pro Bowl talent, Okereke has been a reliable performer since entering the NFL in 2019 as a third-round pick out of Stanford. Over his seven-year career, he has been dependable for both the Colts and Giants, appearing in 17 games in four of the last five seasons. At 6-2, 235 pounds, Okereke isn’t the biggest linebacker, but he can cover tight ends, defend against running backs, and make key stops against the run.
The issue isn’t his performance—it’s the cost. Okereke carries a hefty cap hit for 2026: $5.8 million in base salary, plus a $3 million prorated signing bonus, totaling $14.46 million against the cap. Harbaugh and the Giants believe that money can be better invested elsewhere, making Okereke a likely departure despite his consistent production.
The Giants are in dire need of defensive playmakers, and Akiem Robertson-Harris simply doesn’t fit the bill. The veteran defensive end started all 17 games last season, but failed to record a single sack. He finished with 35 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 pass defensed. While Robertson-Harris can hold his ground against the run, he poses little threat as a pass rusher—something the Giants desperately need from their front line.
Despite nine seasons in the NFL—four with the Bears, four with the Jaguars, one with the Seahawks, and last year with the Giants—Robertson-Harris hasn’t shown the consistent impact necessary to justify his roster spot. With a cap hit of $5.75 million, the team could put those resources to better use elsewhere.
RB Devin Singletary
At running back, the Giants are counting on a healthy Cam Skattebo and the continued development of Tyrone Tracy. They may also look to bolster the position through the draft. For Devin Singletary, this spells trouble.
Singletary struggled to make a significant impact last season, rushing for just 437 yards at an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He managed only two runs of 20+ yards but did manage to find the end zone five times. His inconsistent production, combined with a $6.5 million cap hit for 2026, makes him an obvious candidate for release. The Giants can clearly allocate those funds toward more impactful players who can elevate the team immediately.