Will Big Blue’s Coaching Staff Own the 2026 NFL Season?

The New York Giants are working through their offseason to ensure their offensive line is in better shape than it has been in recent years. They have hired new coaching staff for the upcoming season. It has not been an easy ride during the rebuild, but this time the Giants appear able to move forward without taking steps backward. However, they are still unsure who will serve as their offensive coordinator next season. They need to find an offensive coordinator with big ideas and a vision that can realistically help the Giants return to relevance. There is no question about how different this team must look going forward now that the Brian Daboll era is over.

The Giants have already spent considerable time evaluating who should stay and who may need to go before addressing the roster in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have a decent number of offensive weapons, some of which require careful consideration before committing to them long-term. The Giants will also welcome back Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers during the offseason as they prepare for next season. The pieces are there, but the team has not yet figured out how to use them effectively. This has been a recurring issue for the Giants ever since Super Bowl-winning head coach Tom Coughlin left the team.

The biggest question right now revolves around offensive scheme and creativity. Last season, there was very little imagination in the playbook. The Giants repeatedly called the same plays, making the offense predictable and ineffective. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was one of the few players given freedom to create, but even that creativity faded after several games. Eventually, the offense reverted to the same stagnant approach seen in the previous season. Head coach John Harbaugh must bring in someone who can expand the offense and modernize how the Giants play.

That said, play-calling consistency has also been a major issue. The Giants relied heavily on the run game, often without success. Downs went by quickly, time of possession dwindled, and the offense struggled to sustain drives. The Giants need to find a way to trust Dart and allow the ball to move through the air. Another ongoing problem has been dropped passes, which fall on coaching and management decisions to keep certain players on the field. Execution and accountability must improve if the offense is going to take a step forward.

It was not only the offensive line that struggled. The defensive line also dealt with inconsistency, although it managed to bounce back faster than the offense. Some pieces worked, while others clearly did not. Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns delivered, but other defenders repeatedly left gaps that did not need to be there. That reflected poorly on the coaching staff. With their new defensive coach, Dennard Wilson, the entire unit may be pushed harder, but everything will depend on how Wilson designs his coverage schemes and prevents opponents from scoring.

This coming season, if the Giants fail offensively, the responsibility will fall on the coaching staff rather than the players. It will come down to decision-making and how the staff chooses to move the team forward. If the Giants want to win, they must honestly evaluate those choices. Daboll’s tenure backfired multiple times, allowing the team to spiral during his time in New York. With Harbaugh now in place, things may improve in the Big Apple, but ultimately, success will depend on coaching.