The New York Giants’ search for their next head coach reportedly came to a close this week when they agreed to a deal with the top name on the market, former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Ownership is hoping that the 63-year-old can lead the team from worst to first in the NFC East next season. Some may feel it’s far-fetched to expect New York to go from 7-27 over the last two seasons to winning a division title in 2026. Well, all they have to do is see what the Chicago Bears did this season, going from worst to first, to feel optimistic about Big Blue’s chances in 2026.
Let’s take a look at the similarities between the Bears of this season and what lies ahead for the Giants with Harbaugh next season.
Both retained their GM after multiple double-digit loss seasons
Shortly after the conclusion of the season, CEO, president, and co-owner John Mara confirmed that Joe Schoen would be retained as general manager. This was a surprise to many since Schoen constructed a roster that has gone 13-38 over the last three seasons.
A year ago, Bear fans were surprised that the team kept general manager Ryan Poles after going 15-36 in his first three seasons. But Poles and Bears ownership hired Ben Johnson to be their next head coach, and the team went from 5-12 in 2024 to 11-6 and NFC North Champions in 2025, and defeated the Packers in the Wildcard Round 31-27.
It goes to show that when you hire the right man to lead the team, it can instantly change the culture of the franchise. Ironically, Schoen and Poles were hired at their positions in 2022, and if Schoen and Giants ownership can hire the right coach as Poles and Chicago did, perhaps they can go from worst to first in the NFC East.
Both have talented quarterbacks entering their second season
One of the biggest reasons why the Giants’ head coaching vacancy is attractive is because of quarterback Jaxson Dart. The rookie quarterback had 24 total touchdowns to just five interceptions, and is in consideration to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Often, quarterbacks make their biggest leap from year one to year two, and the possibilities of what Dart can do in 2026 with a healthy Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo are very promising.
After having 20 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2024 as a rookie, many were expecting Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams to make a huge leap in 2025. Needless to say, he lived up to those expectations as he accounted for 31 total touchdowns to just seven interceptions.
The improvement in Williams’ play can be attributed to getting more acclimated with the speed of the NFL game, studying, and having the right coaches around. The Giants brass is hoping for similar results with their quarterback, which is why Dart has met with Harbaugh this week.
It’s been reported that the 63-year-old head coach is impressed with Dart, which is why he’s the favorite to be the next coach.
Both parted with their head coach midway through previous season
Another similarity with Chicago and New York is that they’ve had an extensive search for their next head coach, since they both fired their head coaches in November of the previous season.
The Bears fired Matt Eberflus following a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in 2024, and the Giants parted ways with Brian Daboll after a 24-20 Week 10 loss to Chicago.
Two months later, the Bears hired Ben Johnson, and their fortunes changed immediately. It’s a good chance that New York will hire their next head coach within the next week, who can get the team back on track.
The Giants haven’t won a division title since 2011, and the odds will be against them to end this drought. But seeing what the Bears did this year, and the similarities between the two clubs, give reasons to believe that the Giants can be next year’s Chicago Bears.
