Jan. 10, 2026, 6:03 a.m. ET

As the New York Giants’ search for their next head coach continues, much of the attention has centered on former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who emerged as Big Blue’s top candidate after becoming available on Tuesday night.

While opinions abound on what many view as a potential home-run hire for New York, former Giants defensive back Logan Ryan appeared on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams and shared his thoughts on Harbaugh’s potential fit with the organization.

“Well, I think they have pros and cons for both. I think New York is more desirable. You have a wide receiver, a young quarterback, a running back. It’s in the New York market. But GM Joe Schoen — I’m not fond of him from my experience with him,” Ryan said. “I don’t know why he does what he does. I know we let a lot of Pro Bowlers walk and play for different teams. So I don’t think that’s good. But someone has to want to inherit that — you know, inherit Joe Schoen.”

“Where the Titans have Cam Ward, but beyond him, they don’t have a lot on that roster. It’s warmer, tax-free. Or New York with the market. Look, I think Kevin Stefanski has to go to one, period. I like him. Stefanski — I played against Kevin Stefanski. I just called the Browns game, sat down with Kevin Stefanski. I know he’s a Northeast guy from Philly. He grew up in that area. When you live in Philly and from South Jersey, you grow up watching the NFC East. You’re watching Eagles, you’re watching Cowboys, watching Giants, and you’re watching the Commanders now every single day. And it is religion up there. It’s like SEC football. It’s a big deal up there, pro football. So I think Stefanski should be the Giants’ number one pick right away. Call him, get that done. If not, go to Tennessee. It’s just these GMs at both places — do coaches want to work for the GMs? That’s the biggest question.

“I don’t think Harbaugh is going to go to the Giants because of the GM. I think Harbaugh wants to go — interesting — where he can bring his own GM, right? And I think, couldn’t you do that? Could any in a negotiation with Mara? You see Joe Schoen getting fired? It’s for Harbaugh, a hundred percent. If they get Harbaugh then, and Joe Schoen got fired, that was for Harbaugh. That’s it. Right now, as things stand, Harbaugh’s not going to go work with Joe Schoen. I think he’ll go to Atlanta, where there is no GM at the moment. Or Miami just hired a GM a few minutes ago, or whatever. So I think that might be out for Miami. But if Joe Schoen gets fired, it’s a John Harbaugh.”

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Ryan spent portions of his career with both the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants.

This is not the first indication that Harbaugh may be hesitant to accept the position with a general manager already in place — particularly Joe Schoen. As the Giants prepare for an interview with Harbaugh sometime next week, they must be ready for the possibility that he will seek significant control over the roster and may even request the ability to select his own general manager, either immediately or after the 2026 season if results are unsatisfactory.

Unlike most candidates the Giants are considering, Harbaugh possesses the established reputation to weather a general manager change after one year.

Should the Giants successfully land Harbaugh, he would likely take precedence over Schoen, who has overseen a 7-27 record over the past two seasons.

After elevating coordinators to first-time head coaches in each of the franchise’s four hires since Tom Coughlin, Harbaugh would bring the longevity and stability many believe the organization desperately needs, leading observers to argue that New York should pursue him at all costs.