Exclusive: John Harbaugh’s Giants to Target Offensive Line in Major Offseason Moves

For the first time in a long time the New York Giants have a proven winning head coach with the addition of John Harbaugh, who won a Lombardi Trophy in Baltimore, and will have considerable sway in any acquisitions the franchise makes this offseason. 

That development, with general manager Joe Schoen viewed as someone with a very limited future in the organization by rival front offices, has led to considerable intrigue about how the team will proceed with its rebuild this offseason. 

And some that have studied how Harbaugh builds teams and are familiar with what he prizes, anticipate he takes a prudent approach to making the team better. 

Specifically, they have a hard time conceptualizes an offseason that does not see the Giants lean heavily into fixing a perpetually broken offensive line in an attempt to keep oft-injured rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart much healthier in his second season. And they are taking a peek back at what Harbaugh’s brother Jim did during his first offseason after leaving the University of Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers as a guide. 

Keys To Giants Future in Chargers Recent Past? 

Jim Harbaugh inherited a broken defense with the Chargers, but turned significant draft capital and resources into trying to incubate franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. That might be a tell into what his brother does, too. 

“They think a lot alike,” said one longtime NFL executive who knows the family well. 

“You have to build it from the inside out. John knows that. That isn’t going to change. He needs offensive line help, now.” 

The Giants have had major struggles in their interior line, a key area of concern. And while tackle Andrew Thomas is elite when he plays, injuries have been a constant issue throughout his career. Tackle is also an area the team could lean heavily into early in the draft. 

Some are linking Harbaugh to Baltimore free agent center Tyler Linderbaum given how well he performed for the coach in Baltimore, though that cost will be extreme. Centers are in many ways the heartbeat of an offense and take on leadership roles; Harbaugh is very comfortable with Linderbaum’s abilities on field and off. 

Whether or not they reset the market with a record contract on the offensive line remains to be seen, but expect ample resources to go into fortifying it with both quality and quantity. 

“That’s the natural place to start building that roster,” said one rival executive with offensive line needs who expects the Giants to be compete for some of the same free agents. 

“That’s where I would start if I was him.”