At quick glance, one of John Harbaugh’s first proclamations after officially becoming the Giants’ head coach was a bold one. An incredibly daring one, even.

“I expect and want to make the playoffs next year,” Harbaugh told The Athletic over the weekend, because of course he did.

What coach would say “I expect and want to make the playoffs at some point, but it might take three years” and expect to wind up with the keys to the franchise?

But the Giants have been locked in a struggle with mediocrity for more than a decade, dating back to their last Super Bowl win to end the 2011 season. They went 4-13 with a rookie quarterback in 2025 and fired their coach in November. Big Blue’s roster has talent, sure, but there were plenty of moments this season when the Giants felt a stratosphere away from landing a spot in the postseason tournament.