On Saturday, John Harbaugh officially became the New York Giants‘ next head coach as he agreed to a five-year deal.
This seems to be a perfect marriage between the two sides as the Giants get a coach that brings instant credibility and stability, and Harbaugh gets a chance to lead one of the marquee franchises in the league.
The team will have an introductory press conference for Harbaugh on Tuesday at 12 PM, where he’ll discuss his immediate plans. New York becomes instantly better with the 63-year-old head coach, as he guided the Baltimore Ravens to 12 playoff appearances, six division titles, and a victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
Here’s a look at three bold predictions for the Giants with their new head coach.
He’ll re-hire Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator
On top of Harbaugh’s agenda will be to name his coordinator. It’s expected that he will name Todd Monken as the offensive coordinator, due to his time as the Ravens’ OC from 2023 to 2025. But there isn’t a clear favorite for the defensive coordinator job.
One name that has been mentioned to run the defense is Don “Wink” Martindale due to his ties to Harbaugh and the Giants. Martindale served as Baltimore’s linebackers coach from 2012 to 2017, and then was their defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.
In January 2022, he and the Ravens parted ways, and a month later, he was hired by New York to run the defense. Held that position until the conclusion of the 2023 season, when he and the organization parted ways after a falling out he had with head coach Brian Daboll.
Martindale spent the last two years with the Michigan Wolverines but was not retained after the university fired head coach Sherrone Moore. In life, timing can be everything, and it seems that timing has opened an opportunity for Harbaugh and Big Blue to be reunited with Martindale.
The New York Giants will win the NFC East in 2026
The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots both went from last place in their divisions in 2024 to first place in 2025. The two biggest reasons for their immediate turnaround was they hired the right coaches in Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel, and they had talented quarterbacks entering their second season in Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
Before agreeing to become the next head coach, the veteran coach watched extensive film of quarterback Jaxson Dart and was impressed. Harbaugh has had success with Lamar Jackson since his rookie season in 2018; the duo won four division titles. He must feel he can have similar success with Dart, who is one of the favorites to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Aside from Andy Reid, Harbaugh’s coaching resume is as impressive as any coach in the NFL, and many feel that he’s the best coach in the best coach in the NFC East. He and general manager Joe Schoen will add pieces to the roster this offseason, which will result in Big Blue winning their first division title since 2011.
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The Giants will win a Super Bowl before the end of the decade
The Giants are the only team in the NFL to have won a Super Bowl in each of the last four decades. They won Super Bowl titles in the 1986, 1990, 2007, and 2011 seasons.
But winning their fifth Lombardi trophy for the fifth consecutive decade seemed to be in jeopardy since they have a regular-season record of 28-55-1, and one winning season.
But now that they have a man leading them who has won a Super Bowl, leading them, they will win another Super Bowl before the end of the decade.
Related: New York Giants Make John Harbaugh One of NFL’s Highest-Paid Coaches
