Giants HC John Harbaugh on competing in NFC East: 'We have to build a team to beat the Eagles'

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2026-02-02

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New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is already bringing some heat to the NFC East.

Harbaugh said on The Howard Eskin Show this week that in order to compete in a loaded division, the Giants must build a team to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, who over the past two seasons won Super Bowl LIX and snapped a 21-year streak of different division champions by repeating in the NFC East.

“It starts with the Eagles. I mean, let’s just be honest about it. The Eagles are defending champs,” Harbaugh told Eskin. “I remember when my dad would tell us that when Bo Schembechler took the job at Michigan in 1969, when Michigan was down and Ohio State was the reigning national champion. It was like, we have to beat Ohio State. Everything we do, every decision we make, is with his Ohio State in mind. And they ended up building a team like Ohio State. And they beat them the very first year.

“So, you gotta build a team to beat the Eagles. Yeah, you gotta beat the Commanders and you gotta beat the Cowboys, but the Eagles are the champs. So, we have to build a team to beat the Eagles. And everything we do, every practice we have, every film session will be with that in mind.”

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The Giants have not won the NFC East since 2011, when Big Blue went on to win Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots. The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East in 2023, while Washington last secured a division title in 2020.

During Harbaugh’s 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-2025), he won six AFC North titles, clinched 12 playoff berths and won Super Bowl XLVII. It will be a test for Harbaugh to turn things around in New York after the team’s disappointing 4-13 season, though he does have young, talented pieces to help solve some of the Giants’ problems.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart certainly brough some excitement during the season with his ability to extend plays, but he must learn to avoid taking unnecessary hits. Running back Cam Skattebo provided a spark until he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Malik Nabers is a solid WR1 on the mend after tearing his ACL in Week 4.

As for the defensive side, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux can all disrupt opposing quarterbacks. They form a solid edge-rushing foundation for Harbaugh to develop a winning culture with for the years to come.

Harbaugh’s already challenged his new squad by setting a target on the division leader, adding some bulletin board material along the way for his NFC East foes.