“There’s not a better tight end group, I don’t think, in the league, potentially,” the experienced head coach said, via the New York Post. “Jaxson has a bunch of guys to go to.”

The words of Harbaugh are supported by his actions. The coach spent nearly two decades with the Baltimore Ravens and, after his dismissal, decided to bring Isaiah Likely, one of his weapons from the last season, to the G-Men.

Dart will have plenty of weapons at his disposal

Entering his sophomore season, Jaxson Dart is surrounded by a dynamic group of playmakers designed to elevate the New York Giants‘ offense. His aerial attack is anchored by explosive, Pro Bowl wide receiver Malik Nabers, alongside the veteran speed and deep-threat capabilities of Darnell Mooney and Darius Slayton.

Over the middle, the addition of tight end Isaiah Likely provides Dart with a highly physical and reliable security blanket, while versatile running back Cam Skattebo commands the backfield to offer a powerful, dual-threat weapon in both the rushing and passing games.

New York Giants TE room for 2026

• Isaiah Likely
• Theo Johnson
• Chris Manhertz
• Thomas Fidone II
• Tanner Conner

Harbaugh’s philosophy could benefit his tight ends

John Harbaugh’s physical, run-first style is an absolute dream for the Giants’ tight ends. His love for heavy personnel and a bruising ground game forces defenses to crowd the line, which opens up massive lanes over the middle.

For a dynamic target like Isaiah Likely, this means the perfect mix of high-volume targets and juicy play-action mismatches to feast on and rack up easy yards after the catch.

“[Lawrence] is not here, that’s OK. He’s got a life to live. We brought in guys who wanted to be here,” Harbaugh stated, via Ryan Dunleavy and Art Stapleton. “We are on these green-grass fields playing football! Where else would you rather be than here right now?”

Harbaugh’s message may have provided the perfect combination for Giants fans. Most remain upset about Lawrence’s exit, feeling somewhat betrayed by the nose tackle. However, they have bigger fish to fry in the 2026 NFL season than to remain resentful toward a former player who helped the team so much in the past. It’s all about moving on.

The new head coach’s statement may have captured that mix of letting go and a bit of pettiness perfectly. Just because the Giants are off to new challenges doesn’t mean they will let others off the hook that easily.

Giants replaced Lawrence

Although there may be no NFL player as skilled at the nose tackle position as Lawrence, New York left no stone unturned in their quest to fill the void left by the veteran’s departure. As a result, Harbaugh and company brought in several defensive tackles capable of handling different roles depending on what the coaching staff needs.

The Giants signed veteran presences in D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris, while also acquiring defensive linemen with a chip on their shoulder like Zacch Pickens and Leki Fotu. Moreover, the Big Blue drafted Bobby Jamison-Travis and signed UDFAs Ben Barten and Anquin Barnes.

All in all, the youth and veterans combination could be one that pays dividends for the G-Men. Moving on from Lawrence was never going to be easy, but they had little choice. Trading him for the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft—which turned into Francis Mauigoa—certainly makes the decision easier to live with.

“John Ritcher was hired by the Giants with the title of Director of College Scouting. They did not have anyone previously with that title,” as reported by Jordan Raanan of ESPN on X.

Ritcher, who worked with senior vice president and general manager Joe Schoen on the Miami Dolphins, has spent the last few years working as a scouting executive for the Houston Texans. As he arrives in East Rutherford, Big Blue had to create a title for him, as there was previously no one in charge of such a role.

In more ways than one, the front-office move underlines New York’s intention to keep up with the times in the NFL as it moves into a new era of Giants football with Harbaugh at the helm.

Giants planning for the future

Time and again, the NFL Draft has proven to play a crucial role in every team’s aspirations and title contention. The Giants are no exception. In recent years, New York has found key players coming out of college, and it’s clear the organization hopes to keep up its good work in that area.

With the hiring of Ritcher, the G-Men could ensure they continue down that road and keep finding talent in every round of the draft. An addition like Ritcher won’t show up on the field on Sundays, but it could still play a major role behind the scenes.

The Giants are committed to playing the long game, and such an acquisition could yield dividends for a front office that has endured plenty of duress in recent years.

“Nonetheless, Banks is 25 with some upside. He may need a change of scenery after losing a starting job on the perimeter last offseason. Because of his struggles, the Giants are unlikely to receive premium draft capital if they trade him. Under a new coaching staff, Big Blue is more likely to release Banks in the summer,” the insider Moe Moton revealed in a recent article for Bleacher Report.

It seems that Banks is currently down in the pecking order in the New York Giants’ secondary this season. Ahead of him on the depth chart is Paulson Adebo on the left side, while the recently acquired Greg Newsome II is expected to start on the right side of the defensive backfield.

Banks’ situation with Giants could take a turn

During the 2025 NFL season, Deonte Banks saw a dramatic decline in performance, recording 31 total tackles (24 solo), 5 passes defensed, and 0 interceptions across 16 games while losing his starting job and being limited to just 6 starts.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Banks plummeted to a brutal 42.4 overall defensive grade, ranking 112th out of 114 qualified cornerbacks while allowing an inflated 149.7 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks.

Because of these glaring on-field struggles and schematic errors, the Giants are far more likely to straight up cut the former first-round pick this summer rather than seek a trade.

Why could this move happen in the summer?

This summer move is highly likely because the Giants have a completely new coaching staff—led by John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson—looking to establish a clean slate and their own culture through training camp.

Since the front office has already signaled their lack of long-term commitment by declining Banks’s fifth-year option, the summer represents the final, logical window to evaluate the roster during mandatory minicamps.

In Week 3, the G-Men will host the Titans at MetLife Stadium, a rival against whom Harbaugh, during his nearly two decades as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, holds a record of 3 wins and 4 losses (2–1 in the postseason). Can he bring his record back to .500 this season?

Two other teams have the same number of wins and losses against Harbaugh: the Seattle Seahawks (2–2) and the Indianapolis Colts (4–4, 1–1 in the postseason). All of his other opponents have a losing record against the veteran coach.

Of all the teams the New York Giants will have to face this season, there is one that undoubtedly wants nothing to do with having John Harbaugh on the opposite sideline. The Cleveland Browns, a fierce divisional rival of the Baltimore Ravens, have fallen 28 times against this head coach, managing to win only 8 games.

One by one, Harbaugh’s records against his opponents

According to the official website of the New York Giants, John Harbaugh also has a notable record against AFC opponents, with 128 wins and 88 losses. Meanwhile, against NFC teams, his record is 52–25.

Early challenges for the Giants in 2026

The New York Giants are set for a high-profile start to their 2026 campaign, kicking off the regular season with consecutive primetime matchups. In Week 1, the Giants will host their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, at MetLife Stadium for a high-stakes SNF opener on September 13.

The team will then hit the road for Week 2 to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on MNF (September 21), before returning home to East Rutherford in Week 3 for a Sunday afternoon clash against the Tennessee Titans on September 27.

“There are going to be tough times,” he said during his commencement speech at his alma mater, Miami University in Ohio. “You might get a call with some bad news. Maybe about your job. Maybe they will tell you they don’t want you anymore, and it’s time to move on. That happens. In those moments, I hope you will find resilience. And that you will be able to rejoice in all the good you still have and all the people who still care for you — that you will come to understand there is a great opportunity on the next horizon of your life.”

Harbaugh’s words carried no ill intent toward the Ravens. However, it is clear that the new head coach of the G-Men is extremely excited about this next step in his career.

“You will learn from experience that life is best lived going forward, but it’s best understood looking back. Definitely, things aren’t always going to go the way you plan. In fact, sometimes, things will go way better.

“Sometimes things are going to go so good, you won’t even believe how well they are going. Sometimes the victories are just going to be raining down on you. Your cup is going to be overflowing.”

A championship-caliber leader arrives in New York

John Harbaugh brings an undeniable championship caliber to New York, injecting a culture of sustained excellence into the Giants’ organization. A proven winner at the highest level, Harbaugh famously cemented his legacy by leading the Baltimore Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

His addition completely resets the standard for the franchise, as New York secures the services of a future Hall of Famer who currently ranks as the 14th most winning head coach in NFL history, providing the Giants with the elite, battle-tested leadership needed to return to football’s biggest stage.

Harbaugh already knows his 2026 opponents

The New York Giants face a highly anticipated stretch in their schedule, highlighted by two crucial primetime matchups. They will first host their fierce division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday Night Football, before packing up for a high-profile road trip to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.

Following those marquee games, the Giants will continue their campaign with key tests against the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals, wrapped up by a critical NFC East divisional battle against the Washington Commanders.

• Week 6: New Orleans Saints
• Week 7: Houston Texans
• Week 8: Bye Week
• Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 10: Washington Commanders

“I just think they are very versatile (offense). I think it starts there and the other thing is just can’t wait for all my boys to be back healthy. I’m excited for the pieces that we brought in, they’re gonna help us a ton. We’re gonna just be a physical, violent team,” the quarterback told ESPN‘s Jordan Raanan.

During his nearly two decades at the helm of the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh has valued physical play as one of his key traits. The recent picks in the latest draft are aligned with this style of play.

“That’s all we hear every single day from him (Harbaugh). That’s the style he wants us to play at. I just think that what he wants to do is what everybody on this team wants to be about. We are hungry to win. I couldn’t think for a better coach to play for.”

The search for a physical style of play for the Giants

The Giants are clearly modeling their roster after the relentless, physical blueprint perfected by John Harbaugh, prioritizing “big-on-big” football to control the tempo of the game. By drafting Francis Mauigoa to anchor the line and Arvell Reese to provide a violent presence in the middle of the defense, the front office is investing in the high-motor, high-impact players that define a Harbaugh-led squad.

This philosophy is further cemented by a defensive front featuring the explosive duo of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, paired with the veteran nastiness of Jermaine Eluemunor on the offensive side. Together, these moves signal a shift toward a “play-to-the-whistle” culture where the goal isn’t just to win the scheme, but to physically dominate the opponent in the trenches.

The Dart offense is well covered

The Giants’ offensive architecture for the 2026 season is designed to offer Jaxson Dart a versatile array of weapons that blend explosive verticality with high-motor physicality. Through the air, the trio of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and the newly added Darnell Mooney provides a dynamic receiving corps capable of stretching defenses at every level.

This aerial attack is bolstered by the presence of Isaiah Likely, a tight end whose familiarity with John Harbaugh from their shared time in Baltimore ensures he will be a focal point in the “Harbaugh-way” scheme. In the backfield, the Giants pair the rugged style of Cam Skattebo with the dual-threat versatility of Tyrone Tracy Jr., creating a punishing ground game that forces opponents to defend the entire width of the field.

“Oh, it’s gonna be great for the Giants,” Tomlin said on Monday at an NBCUniversal event at Radio City Music Hall. “You know, having competed against [Harbaugh] for 18 years over the same divisional territory, one thing I don’t know about his group, they’ll certainly be ready.

“And by that, I mean, there will be a hard buy-in to the team development process that’ll be appropriate to have ready to go week one. And secondarily, man, they’ll be a highly-conditioned group.“

Now far removed from having to defend the interests of his beloved Steelers on the field, Tomlin is beginning to offer his first thoughts on what lies ahead. He clearly knows Harbaugh firsthand and understands that he will be a tough opponent to face.

What is Mike Tomlin’s new role?

Mike Tomlin has transitioned into the media world after stepping down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2026. He has officially joined NBC Sports as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America,” the network’s premier pregame show for Sunday Night Football.

While he spent 19 years on the sidelines, he will now use his extensive experience to provide expert analysis alongside Maria Taylor and the rest of the NBC crew starting this fall.

“It gives me an opportunity to stay close to the game that we all love, and share with fellow lovers, and learn something along the way,” Tomlin said.

The first blockbuster matchup in the NFL

The first Sunday Night Football game of the 2026 season will take place on September 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The matchup features a classic NFC East rivalry as the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, marking the highly anticipated Giants debut for head coach John Harbaugh.

“He moves like a smaller guy. He moves his feet. He can flip his hips,” the head coach recently said to the press. Clearly, the linebacker’s qualities can already be projected to fill several needs for the G-Men.

Reese successfully filled a WILL linebacker role during his final stint with the Ohio State Buckeyes, a position Ryan Day knew how to maximize. That experience now opens up a wide range of possibilities in East Rutherford, where Harbaugh will try unlock his full potential.

Where could Reese be used on defense?

Under John Harbaugh’s new defensive scheme, Arvell Reese serves as a versatile “chess piece” whose primary value lies in his positional fluidity. Although he possesses the length and frame of a traditional defensive end, Harbaugh might use him as a WIL linebacker to create schematic confusion.

By lining Reese up everywhere from the edge to directly over the guard, the Giants leverage his elite athleticism to “cheat” the traditional look of the front seven. This allows Reese to function as a disruptive interior pass rusher or a stand-up edge threat, forcing opposing offenses to account for his location on every snap while making it nearly impossible to predict whether he is dropping into coverage or attacking the pocket.

Harbaugh strengthens his defense

John Harbaugh has rapidly transformed the Giants’ defense into an elite unit by blending veteran star power with high-impact reinforcements. The foundation is anchored by the interior presence of DJ Reader and Shelby Harris, whose ability to eat up blocks and disrupt the pocket creates the perfect environment for veteran star Brian Burns to dominate as a premier edge rusher.

With the addition of Tremaine Edmunds as the rangy, downhill leader of the linebacker corps, Harbaugh has built a physical and versatile front seven capable of stifling the run and generating relentless pressure, making them one of the most formidable defensive groups in the league.

During his first days at rookie minicamp, Reese opened up about the emotions of finally reaching the NFL, his early impressions of John Harbaugh and the mentality he wants to bring into a Giants defense currently undergoing major changes after the departure of Dexter Lawrence.

Reese is viewed as one of the foundational pieces of the Giants’ new era. They believe his athleticism, versatility and leadership potential could make him a centerpiece of a rebuilt defense designed to compete quickly and boost the team’s Super Bowl hopes.

Arvell Reese already embracing Giants culture under John Harbaugh

Arvell Reese made it clear that arriving in the NFL has already felt surreal. “It’s so good. It’s everything I ever dreamed of.” The rookie also had glowing praise for John Harbaugh and the environment the Giants coaching staff is trying to create early in the rebuilding process.

“He’s a great coach. He relates to his players. I feel like he’s one of those coaches who take the time to get to know his players and I feel like that’s really important when it comes with building a team that you want to have a real brotherhood. Coach Harbaugh has been great so far.”

Those comments are especially notable considering how aggressively the Giants have emphasized culture, accountability and physicality throughout the offseason.

Giants could use Arvell Reese in multiple defensive roles

One of the biggest reasons Arvell Reese became such a highly valued draft prospect was his versatility, something the Giants are already exploring during minicamp. “That’s always fun to me. All those different roles I could play, but, right now we’re only two days in.”

That flexibility could become critical for a Giants’ defense attempting to reinvent itself after several major roster changes. Reese has the athletic profile to impact the pass rush, operate in space and become a movable chess piece inside different defensive packages. Still, despite his talent and draft status, the rookie insists his immediate focus is simply proving he belongs.

Arvell Reese sends mature message ahead of veteran arrival

When asked what he wants to show once veterans officially join the team, Arvell Reese delivered an answer that will likely resonate strongly inside the organization.

“I want to show the team right away that I’m one of those guys who rather be seen and not heard. As a rookie, I feel that’s what you got to do. You got to know what you’re doing on the field. Just get on the field and minimize mistakes. Show that I’m willing to get better every day.”

As confirmed by the Giants’ official 49-man rookie minicamp roster, Finley is listed as both a defensive tackle and a fullback. The undrafted rookie out of Missouri Western spent his entire college football career playing defensive tackle. However, he did score a touchdown on offense during his collegiate career.

It appears Harbaugh and his staff took notice of that and saw enough on film to believe Finley could develop into a Swiss Army knife-type player. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 19, 2003, Finley is listed at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds. Needless to say, he would be a difficult player to bring down in short-yardage situations.

Especially near the goal line, teams across the NFL have increasingly looked to create unexpected mismatches, and plays designed to leave offensive linemen wide open are becoming more common every year.

Finley could help replace Lawrence

After all, the Giants’ 2026 NFL offseason has essentially come down to that: leaving no stone unturned in their mission to fill Dexter Lawrence’s void. Needless to say, Harbaugh and company took their job seriously. New York didn’t cut any corners, and Harbaugh can now say the Giants are happy about the defensive line signings after Lawrence’s trade.

In addition to the acquisitions of veterans such as Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader, along with depth pieces like Leki Fotu and Zacch Pickens, the G-Men may have another answer in Finley. In 2024, Finley recorded 29 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks for the Griffons.

Thus, although New York is considering him for an apprentice-like role behind veteran fullback and longtime Harbaugh ally Patrick Ricard, his natural position remains on the interior of the defensive line—and he could ultimately make an impact there for the Giants in 2026.

Finley is up for steep climb with NY Giants

However, he must first survive rookie minicamp and showcase his skills against 48 other hungry first-year players fighting for their future in the NFL. Some might argue playing two positions doubles Finley’s chances, while others may disagree.

Either way, the Giants appear to have high expectations for the undrafted rookie, and his development could become a major storyline heading into a pivotal season for Big Blue. After all, everybody loves a good underdog story.