The New York Giants and John Harbaugh have agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract to become the team’s next head coach. The official signing of the contract is imminent.
After news broke that Harbaugh would lead the Giants, reports surfaced that Todd Monken was also heading to East Rutherford, likely to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator.
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Things are already starting to take shape.
But what should the Giants, their fans and members of the media expect from Harbaugh? How is he different from the “hot” coordinators the team has hired over the past decade? Why would Baltimore be willing to shut him out?
Here’s what Ravens Wire managing editor Glenn Erby said the Giants are getting from Harbaugh.
From your perspective, why is the John Harbaugh era ending in Baltimore?
Erby: Change is inevitable. After 18 years, the information has become stale and people have become alienated. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti stressed that players at key positions have not improved over time, which is an indictment of the coaching and development system. Combined with the fact that Baltimore is 0-4 this season in games decided by five points or less, overall, the Ravens are 45-61 in such games under Harbaugh since 2008. Changes need to be made.
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What should Giants fans (and the media) expect from Harbaugh’s temperament, personality and day-to-day operations?
Coach Harbaugh is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and I have no doubt that fans, media members and the Giants organization will love his attitude, his energy, the way he goes about his daily life and his attitude as an NFL head coach. Coach Harbaugh is one of the few head coaches who gets to see the media every day in Baltimore. He will take responsibility for criticism, stand up for his players and instill discipline and urgency in them.
What led to Harbaugh’s success during his 18 years in Baltimore?
When Baltimore hired then-Eagles special teams coordinator and secondary coach to replace the legendary Brian Billick, Harbaugh was a low-profile candidate. He is one of the few coaches with a CEO-style approach to head coaching and does not have the typical background of an offensive or defense-first coach. This approach and ability to communicate well, delegate responsibilities, and make big decisions makes other people’s jobs easier.
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What weaknesses in Harbaugh should the Giants and their fans be aware of?
This CEO-like approach and lack of offensive or defensive fundamentals sometimes hinders his judgment and approach. As we mentioned before, Baltimore is 0-4 this season in games decided by five points or less, and overall, the Ravens are 45-61 in such games under Harbaugh since 2008, a fact that’s troubling for a coach who sometimes struggles to adjust on the fly, and even more troubling given their ability to close out games and put opponents away. The Ravens will hit you hard often and get blown out often, but situations where the game gets to the final minutes or Baltimore goes into the fourth quarter with a big lead usually end badly for the coach.
What would the offense look like assuming Todd Monken joined Harbaugh in East Rutherford?
In my opinion, Monken will be the most important hire. He’ll get Jaxon Dart to settle down, and Giants fans should immediately see the change in Dart’s running style and disregard for safeties. The Giants will use one back and two tight ends, allowing Dart to make efficient passes while feeding Malik Nabors. Look for the Giants tight end to thrive in his system, and the results are clear.
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In his first two years, Monken’s Baltimore offense was the best in the NFL, ranking first in red zone touchdown rate at 67.9%, averaging 172.1 rushing yards per game and posting a 110.8 passer rating. In two years, the team averaged 28.4 points per game, 6.3 yards per game, and 397.6 total yards per game, both ranking second.
The Ravens then ended the 2025 regular season ranking second in the league in rushing yards per game at 156.6 and 11th in points per game at 24.9. Monken and the Ravens’ offense have struggled and regressed in 2025, but Baltimore still has the NFL’s second-best rushing attack and ranks 16th in total offense with 332.2 yards per game.
2025 is a tough year for Harbaugh and the Ravens. What went wrong?
Everything you can imagine went wrong. Isaiah likely broke his foot in training camp, taking a huge weapon away from the offense. The team started with a 1-5 record, but quickly fell apart due to injuries and player losses. After returning key players to the defense, Lamar Jackson was injured, missing a quarter of the season and not practicing fully in several weeks.
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Overall, the offense never found its footing with explosiveness, and the defense was terrible at times, especially after losing Nnamdi Madubik for the season. This season, Baltimore ranks 24th in total defense, 30th in pass defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers and 22nd in turnover differential. Those 30 sacks were just three more than the team’s single-season record for fewest sacks (27 in 16 games in 2010).
Down the stretch, the Ravens defense twice allowed more than 300 yards from New England’s Derek Meyer, Green Bay’s Malik Willis and the Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers. In the final game of the season, with D.K. Metcalf suspended, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still lit up Baltimore, going 31 of 47 for 294 yards and a touchdown in a must-win situation.
From the outside, what do you expect from a Harbaugh-led Giants team?
Fans can expect a strong rushing attack, great quarterback play, physicality on the offensive and defensive lines, and a stout defense. Most importantly, the Giants will be a disciplined team and will birth a culture that will last for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Giants Line: Behind Enemy Lines: Ravens Line details what Giants are getting in John Harbaugh