The New York Giants certainly have a much different feel this year, in large part due to the hiring of John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the franchise. When Harbaugh was hired, the Giants gave him more power than the average NFL head coach because of his track record as a Super Bowl-winning head coach.
While it is hard not to acknowledge the upgrade the Giants made going from Brian Daboll to John Harbaugh, there are mixed feelings about whether the Giants can be successful right from the start under Harbaugh’s leadership.
ESPN’s Marcus Spears is the latest to share his thoughts on what Harbaugh’s effect on the team will be.
"This team should benefit in a major way from having John Harbaugh." —Marcus Spears on what to expect from the Giants
this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/Z58C7xT6c6
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 4, 2026
“I think the stability that this team has been looking for since Tom Coughlin is there. And John Harbaugh is a really, really good football coach. I was there. I had a cup of coffee with the Baltimore Ravens. I have a ton of respect for what he does at setting a culture and being a head coach," Spears said. "I think he’s going to do a lot for these young players. He’s a former Super Bowl champion. He always is around the playoffs and going deep into the playoffs. And these young guys kind of need someone that can stand up in front of the room that gives you that belief that they know the way.
"And if you listen and you pay attention and you try to execute at the level in which John is going to expect them to, they will have a chance to be there in this division and have a chance to win football games. You got to get Jaxson Dart to stop trying to bang his head against some brick wall. I know that’s going to be difficult because that’s the way he plays football. But ultimately, this team should benefit in a major way from having John Harbaugh, and that’s why he was such a hot commodity when he was let go from the Baltimore Ravens by a bunch of organizations.”
The Giants lost a handful of games last season as they were unable to finish in the fourth quarter, and many believe Harbaugh will have an immediate impact on keeping the team disciplined late in games.
The entire identity of the team is certainly going to change under Harbaugh’s regime, including shifting to a run-first team. This is something that has been a trend in Harbaugh’s career, and it is no coincidence that the Giants improved the offensive line and signed former Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard, who has played under Harbaugh throughout the entirety of his career.
Ultimately, the Giants want to be contenders again. Getting back to playing competitive football is something that is certainly within reach under Harbaugh, and many believe they can do that in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Marcus Spears has high expectations for New York Giants under John Harbaugh
