The New York Giants, for the first time in a long time, feel like they’ve brought some respect back into their building.
The hiring of John Harbaugh signals a new chapter in Giants history, one that will be spearheaded by their new head coach.
Giants legend Carl Banks understands what Harbaugh is bringing to the table as New York’s new head coach, and calls it a “hard reset” for the once-proud franchise.
“It’s a hard reset for the Giants, and a much-needed one from top to bottom. I think John Harbaugh is going to be the North Star,” Banks told RG’s DJ Siddiqi in an exclusive interview.
“Everything the Giants do will point toward that standard he’s been, the things that he does, that he’s about.”
Can the Giants Compete for the NFC East in 2026?
Banks’ faith in the New York Giants and Harbaugh is well-earned. The former Baltimore Ravens coach is looking to bring the same winning pedigree he earned over his 18-year career with the Ravens over to the Giants.
It starts with staking a claim in their own division, though, and New York has a tough road ahead after going 2-4 in the NFC East in 2025. They haven’t won it since 2011.
When asked if he thinks the Giants could contend in 2026, his answer was filled with optimism thanks to New York’s efforts against playoff teams this past season.
“Absolutely…But with that being said, the reason I believe that they can get it turned around relatively fast next year is when you look at the games that they had blown leads in, those were leads against playoff teams,” Banks told Siddiqi.
“They had a collapse in Denver, they had a collapse in Detroit, they had a collapse in Kansas City. They took the field in the fourth quarter with leads. I gotta believe with better coaching, those games are won.”
To Banks’ point, in the Giants’ 13 losses throughout the 2025 season, seven were one-possession games. Five of the losses were games in which New York entered the fourth quarter with a lead.
Harbaugh himself didn’t have the best track record with holding leads in Baltimore this past season, but maybe a change of scenery is just what he needed to change his own fortunes.
Carl Banks Urges Giants to Draft Playmaker at No. 5
With Wan’Dale Robinson’s future uncertain as he prepares to test unrestricted free agency, Banks urged the New York Giants to take a serious look at Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the No. 5 overall pick.
“I think they should…If he’s available, I would absolutely take him,” Banks said, referring to Tate.
“Listen, you could still have Wan’Dale Robinson and a rookie. You can never have too many wide receivers and skill in a passing league.”
For the Giants, they should be doing everything in their power to surround second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart with as much talent as possible.
Banks, who couldn’t help but gush about Dart in the interview, compared him to two MVP-caliber quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
If the Giants want Banks comparisons to ring true, getting him another weapon of the caliber of Tate would be a step in the right direction.
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