For the fifth time since 2016, the New York Giants are looking for a new head coach.
This year’s coaching market is full of big names, and the G-Men are checking everywhere. First-time opportunities for coaches such as Chris Shula and Klint Kubiak are prime candidates, as well as veterans of the job like John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, and Mike McCarthy.
This coaching decision will make-or-break general manager Joe Schoen, making this the most critical decision of the offseason.
5. Vance Joseph
After his disappointing 11-21 record as head coach with the Denver Broncos, Vance Joseph has become one of the NFL’s top defensive minds, serving as the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator and now Denver’s.
In his time as Arizona’s DC, they finished top-13 in yards and points in two out of his four seasons. Currently, Denver has ranked in the top three in total defense for two consecutive seasons.
Joseph has taken full advantage of his top-tier talent with the Broncos. He has maximized the skillful defense, with premier players at every position, including Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, and Patrick Surtain II.
Despite New York’s multiple great defensive players, the results have been disappointing. With Joseph’s recent success in Denver, he may finally be the coach to put the entire defense together and, additionally, fill the vacant defensive coordinator position.
4. John Harbaugh
The Giants have reportedly shown interest in Harbaugh, the biggest name on the market.
Since 2008, the Baltimore Ravens have had the fourth-most wins in the NFL, with all 180 of those coming under Harbaugh. With a Super Bowl victory and 12 playoff appearances, his coaching career has been defined by winning.
Given his success, it’s a valid question why he wouldn’t be the clear first choice for every team. But his “CEO” coaching style, which does not have complete control on either side of the ball, is not every team’s preferred choice.
As for the Giants, a team that is not yet a genuine contender, they may be better off hiring a defensive guru to complete their defense, or an offensive mind to support Jaxson Dart‘s development, rather than a coach who may be better suited for a team closer to contention.
3. Klint Kubiak
Kubiak has done wonders for the Seattle Seahawks’ offense. Seattle was a top-10 offense in nearly every statistical category, including total yards, scoring percentage, and yards per play.
The Seahawks have great pieces on offense, like All-Pro Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III, and Sam Darnold. But there are still significant gaps on the team, particularly in pass blocking, run efficiency, and receiver depth. Kubiak has elevated many of their players, and the offense has seemingly overperformed all season despite their weaknesses.
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Because of the high volume of play action and reliance on the run game, Sam Darnold was able to take another leap. With a similar formula in New York, Jaxson Dart may be able to fully tap into his potential while still relying heavily on other components of the offense such as Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers.
2. Kevin Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns have had some of the worst rosters in the league during Stefanski’s tenure, yet they have consistently overperformed. Though the record isn’t stellar (45-56), he has performed well in difficult situations, such as when Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson were the quarterbacks.
Before their 2020 playoff win, the Browns hadn’t won a postseason game since 1994; in fact, it was their first postseason appearance since 2002. His level of winning is unprecedented for Cleveland in the 21st century.
As an offensive mind, the two-time Coach of the Year is nothing short of impressive. In his earlier years, he conducted a run-heavy team behind their superb offensive line and star back Nick Chubb. More recently, he has continued to run the offense through the run game despite a significant decline in the offensive line, and has also heavily utilized their tight ends, David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr.
The addition of Stefanski would be an excellent pickup for the Giants and gives them a performance floor that they have not had since Tom Coughlin.
1. Chris Shula
Shula has been the mastermind behind the fourth-ranked defense in pressure rate. Because of the Los Angeles Rams’ unreliable defensive backfield, generating a pass rush has been crucial. In large part due to Shula’s creative stunts and simulated pressures, the Rams generate a high number of pressures despite being 31st in blitz percentage.
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The Giants have a similar defensive roster construction, relying on their star edge rushers while generating interior pressure from their anchors, Dexter Lawrence for the Giants, and Kobie Turner for the Rams.
Getting a new, young coach from one of the most profound coaching trees in the NFL, the McVay tree, would give New York a breath of fresh air that they have not had in considerable time.
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