Harbaugh on – John Harbaugh played it measured when asked about the New York Giants’ controversial Joe Schoen extension, saying he respects ownership’s decision while noting Schoen is “a good guy.” The reaction comes as the franchise heads into 2026 with fresh momentum, inc
The buzz around the New York Giants heading into next season has a new heartbeat. John Harbaugh is in the building, and the team has also pulled in franchise legend Odell Beckham Jr., moves that have generated real optimism across the fan base.
But last month’s multi-year extension for general manager Joe Schoen didn’t land the same way. Fans weren’t enthusiastic, and the decision immediately became a flashpoint as the Giants tried to reset the tone of their football operations.
When Harbaugh was asked about the Schoen extension, he kept the answer strictly respectful. “I respect ownership. That’s their call,” Harbaugh said, as reported by Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News on X, formerly Twitter.
Leonard also reported that Harbaugh added that Schoen is simply a good person to work with, saying, “…Schoen is a good guy and when ownership told him, he agreed.”
For some Giants supporters, that’s exactly the tension. Schoen has been in charge through choices that left a sour mark, including the controversial mammoth contract he paid out to quarterback Daniel Jones—who has since departed the franchise.
Harbaugh arrives with his own mission. The Giants’ surprising 2022 run to the second round of the playoffs is now behind them. and the team has since slipped back into the NFL cellar. That decline is part of why New York brought in Harbaugh in the first place: to help redirect the franchise’s direction.
Still, the Schoen era has also produced pieces the Giants are betting on for the future. One thing Schoen has given New York is “an intriguing core of young offensive players. ” including Malik Nabers. Jaxson Dart. and Cam Skattebo. Each of them dealt with injury concerns during the 2025 season. but they are still viewed as central to what Harbaugh wants to establish on offense—if they can stay on the field.
If those players manage to avoid setbacks, the extension may start to look better with time. The question for Giants fans is whether the football on the field catches up to the patience—or whether the same arguments that followed Schoen’s contract decisions remain loud for another season.
The Giants are set to kick off their 2026 season on September 13 with a prime time home game against divisional rival Dallas Cowboys.
John Harbaugh Joe Schoen extension New York Giants Odell Beckham Jr. Malik Nabers Jaxson Dart Cam Skattebo Daniel Jones Dallas Cowboys NFL news
“Good guy” yeah okay sure.
I mean he’s just being nice because it’s the Giants. If fans already mad about the Schoen extension, saying he’s a good guy doesn’t fix Daniel Jones getting that giant contract lol. Ownership decides, cool, but us fans still gotta watch the mess.
Harbaugh saying he respects it is basically PR, right? Like he’s not gonna throw Schoen under the bus even if the team stunk. Also why mention the young offensive players like Jaxson Dart and Skattebo… aren’t they like college names? Idk I’m probably wrong but injuries always seem to happen right when everyone gets excited.
This whole article sounds like they’re trying to sweep it under the rug. Schoen extension didn’t “land” well, no kidding, because the Jones contract was awful. And now Harbaugh comes in cordial and says “good guy” like that’s supposed to make fans trust him again. Give me a winning season first, not nice words. Also Cowboys on prime time week 1? That’s gonna be brutal if the offense still can’t stay healthy.