The New York Giants and John Harbaugh are reportedly working through ‘organizational and operational issues’ with the two parties still locked in negotiations over his rumored $100million deal.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Harbaugh, who was recently fired as Baltimore Ravens head coach, is on the verge of signing a bumper five-year, nine-figure contract to take charge of the Giants.
Yet just as his move to New York appeared to be set in stone, fears are now creeping in amongst the team’s fanbase amid a worrying delay of confirmation.
And according to Jordan Raanan, who covers the Giants for ESPN, that is because there is ‘still a gap to close’ before the deal is agreed.
Raanan said on X Friday night: ‘My understanding is the Giants and John Harbaugh’s side are working through organizational and operational issues. Still a gap to close before the deal is signed and sealed.’
However, he then added: ‘Still on track to get done.’
The Giants and John Harbaugh are reportedly working through some ‘issues’ in negotiations
The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor also revealed that Harbaugh and the Giants were expected to ‘take this deep into the night tonight, more likely tomorrow.’
‘Things are still OK. Hang in there,’ O’Connor told nervous Giants fans. ‘Still a lot to review in contract. John & [G.M.] Joe Schoen have gotten along. Can’t see this unraveling. Both sides know way too much at stake.’
Regardless, the New York faithful are now fearing the worst after hearing conflicting reports on Friday, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously claiming the two parties were merely butting heads over ‘language’ in the contract.
A number of Giants fans took to social media to express concern, including one who said: ‘Yeah this is gonna end in the single most embarrassing moment in giants history. Crazy that we have absolutely zero info on WHAT the holdup is. Keep hearing there’s hold ups but absolutely NOTHING on WHAT is holding it up. Not a good sign imo’.
‘To do this to the fanbase …..this is really sickening. I hope they know this would be the last straw. Wow,’ another wrote about the prospect of the deal collapsing.
‘Lol Most unserious organization in pro sports,’ commented a third.
While one begged: ‘Just give him literally anything he wants’.
It was announced overnight on Wednesday that the Giants had won the race to sign the most impressive candidate currently available in the NFL after he was fired by the Ravens.
Harbaugh is poised to join the Giants after being fired as Baltimore Ravens head coach
New York has been without a permanent head coach since Brian Daboll’s firing in November
Harbaugh, 63, interviewed in person with New York on Wednesday, spending hours at the team facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He was flown in on the private jet of part-owner Steve Tisch.
The Super Bowl-winning coach was believed to be New York’s top candidate in the search for Brian Daboll’s full-time successor.
Fired by the Ravens after missing the playoffs on a missed field goal attempt at the buzzer in the season finale, Harbaugh is on track to pick the Giants over other possible landing spots, including Tennessee and Atlanta.
The Ravens made the playoffs 12 times during 18 seasons with Harbaugh in charge and won the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, a year after the Giants’ most recent championship.
General manager Joe Schoen, who’s back for a fifth season running the football operations department, said he would cast a wide net in the coaching search. The Giants have been without a permanent head coach since firing Brian Daboll in November.
Interviewing Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirements for minority or female candidates, and Harbaugh’s visit to northern New Jersey paved the way to make a hire before any of the more than half-dozen teams with a vacancy.
