The latest NFL news makes the Giants look way smarter than they already did for hiring John Harbaugh when they did as their head coach

Would the Buffalo Bills have stolen away John Harbaugh from the New York Giants?

Joe DeLeone — NFL News Writer
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Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott shake hands following the game at New Era Field.
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants may have just dodged a massive bullet with their head coaching search.

News broke on Monday morning that the Buffalo Bills would be parting ways with their head coach, Sean McDermott, following a loss in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. This is significant for the Giants because the Bills would have likely been considered a better destination for Harbaugh if he were still available.

Sean McDermott’s firing makes the Giants look brilliant

The most important takeaway from the Giants’ push for Harbaugh was how aggressive they were with the process. Last week, the Giants made sure to secure an early meeting with Harbaugh to prevent him from being swayed by other franchises, such as the Tennessee Titans or Atlanta Falcons.

Harbaugh was undoubtedly the best coach on the market with his track record. Even though Mike Tomlin stepped away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the likelihood of him coaching in 2026 seems murky. Harbaugh was, without a doubt, the perfect candidate for the Giants, and ownership recognized the opportunity they had.

One way they convinced Harbaugh it was the right choice to come to New York was by promising ultimate control and the ability to overhaul how the franchise operates. The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor reported on Saturday, as the final touches were being made to his contract, that Harbaugh was pushing for that control. The Giants ultimately relented.

Most of Saturday was tense for Giants fans, as it was clear they had Harbaugh, but there was a small chance it could fall through over this request. Had the Giants overthought this and delayed, it could have leaked into Sunday. And who knows if that could have eventually opened the door for Buffalo to enter the mix.

It’s surreal to consider how mere hours could have derailed this entire situation. If this had not moved quickly, who knows if the Giants would have their head coach situation figured out?

This whole situation should serve as a source of optimism for Giants fans, not just because the Bills would have swept him away. The urgency and seriousness they had for his process mark a new chapter for the Giants. Ownership took control of the situation and threw its weight around as it should, as one of the most historic and successful brands in the NFL.

Hopefully, all of this working out is a positive sign that the Giants will be competitive in 2026 and beyond. Now we just need to see how the offseason unfolds.

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