Giants checked in with Mike Tomlin before hiring John Harbaugh 🏈

The New York Giants officially hired John Harbaugh as their next head coach, signing a five-year deal to lead Big Blue. Yet, during the process, the team’s leadership also kept options open and had other candidates on their radar, showing a thorough and multi-layered search. 🎯📝

Reports indicate a Giants ownership member even reached out to Mike Tomlin after he stepped away from the Steelers, exploring whether he might be interested in the vacancy. The outreach happened despite Tomlin’s stated unavailability and lack of plans to coach in 2026. 📨🧭

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero stressed that Harbaugh remained the top target from the start, with the organization negotiating toward a deal after Harbaugh’s visit. Tomlin’s name was checked more for due diligence rather than as a primary option, given his public stance about 2026. 🔝✨

Tomlin vs. Harbaugh in terms of head-coaching resumes presents a striking comparison: Tomlin is 193-114-2 over 19 seasons, while Harbaugh sits at 180-113 over 18 seasons. Either figure would have been a strong fit for New York, but Harbaugh ultimately became the hire after the process. 📊💪

Previously, Ian O’Connor described Tomlin and the Giants as a “perfect marriage,” underscoring how well his leadership could have complemented a young quarterback. In hindsight, Harbaugh’s hire ends that particular path for now, though Tomlin’s name could reemerge in future hiring cycles. 📅🔮