A trio of updates and rumors about the New York Giants head coach search emerged on Wednesday, including one about a potential trade for a coach who is in one of the hottest seats in the NFL.
In November, the Giants did something they always try to avoid: The rash decision to fire a head coach during the season. But former head coach Brian Daboll gave management no choice. After a pair of losing seasons, he began 2025 by starting 2-8 and blowing sizable fourth-quarter leads on multiple occasions.
With offensive coordinator Mike Kafka not showing he is deserving of going from being the interim to a full-time coach in 2026, the NY Giants are deep into their search to find a replacement for Daboll. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler offered up a name that is unlikely to excite Big Blue fans.
The NFL insider claimed that Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is the most likely to land a job quickly if he is fired after this weekend’s season finale. He also suggested he would be an “ideal fit” for the G-Men, and that the Browns would be open to moving him in a trade instead of ousting him following Week 18.
Bringing in a coach who could finish 4-13 this seasonwon’t thrill Giants fans. However, Fowler added that the “field is as wide open” when it comes to head coach candidates, and there aren’t strong options like there were a year ago when current Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson was available. So it opens the door for certain fired or endangered coaches to land new jobs quicker than in most years.
Packers Jeff Hafley a Top Contender for NY Giants Job
As far as the field of coordinators looking to be a head coach for the first time, or get another chance at a top job, Fowler did offer up one name that is allegedly becoming a top contender for the NY Giants opening.
“I’ll go with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He’s part of the cluster of strong, defensive-minded candidates this cycle,” Fowler writes. “He seems to have some traction in New York, too. I’ve heard his name linked to the Giants’ job a few times in my calls over the past week, and I expect him to be on their list.”
Marcus Freeman Was Not a Serious Candidate For NY Giants Job?
In recent weeks, there have been several reports claiming Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was a popular candidate with multiple NFL teams. The Giants were believed to be one of those franchises interested in interviewing him before he landed a new long-term deal from the university this week.
However, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Freeman wasn’t as serious an option for the Giants, or any other team’s job, as some fans may have thoughts.
“College guys don’t seem to be very hot right now. I never thought Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman was getting serious interest, but good for him for getting a raise out of the whole thing,” he wrote.
