Ever since hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach, the expectation has been that the New York Giants will eventually bring in Todd Monken as their next offensive coordinator.
After all, Monken was with Harbaugh in Baltimore, as the Ravens’ most recent offensive coordinator, and it was reported that the Giants’ new head coach was unwilling to fire Monken after the Ravens missed the postseason, leading to both of their respective dismissals.
Needless to say, Monken would make sense as a fit for the Giants’ OC job, given his relationship with Harbaugh. And Big Blue fans seem to approve of the potential hire on social media, for the most part.
But there is one major “threat” emerging in the race to land Monken, and SNY Giants insider Connor Hughes called attention to it on January 18.
“This is [the] Giants’ biggest threat,” Hughes noted on X, while sharing a post from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.
In it, Fowler reported that “Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken will interview with the [Cleveland] Browns in-person Tuesday, per source. This is Monken’s second interview with the team.”
Monken has been interviewing for the Browns’ head coach position, rather than offensive coordinator, putting that opportunity a step above any offer from Harbaugh and the Giants.
Who Might Giants & John Harbaugh Pivot to If Todd Monken Is Hired by the Browns?
The assumption is that Harbaugh is waiting on the Browns, and whether or not they hire Monken. If they do, the Giants would then have to pivot to another OC candidate.
While there’s no telling who that might be, one potential candidate could be former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was employed by Harbaugh and Baltimore from 2019 through 2022.
Roman was just fired by Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers, and John Harbaugh obviously moved on from him after the 2022 campaign, too. So, Roman may no longer be a legitimate answer in the eyes of the Harbaugh family, but his ties to both brothers are too obvious to ignore.
Aside from Roman, there are a few interesting offensive-minded coaches who have recently become available. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has been interviewing for different jobs, as has former Arizona Cardinals HC and recent Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury and ex-Atlanta Falcons OC Zac Robinson.
However, it’s unclear if Harbaugh would make a move to hire a big name with whom he has no prior connection.
Monken Talks Up Harbaugh as Giants’ Offensive Coordinator Search Heats Up
While appearing on the “Ryan Ripken Show,” Monken made it clear that he still believes in Harbaugh and all he has accomplished as a head coach.
“Are you going to tell me John Harbaugh’s message after 18 years as a head coach, the best I’ve been around, besides Kirby Smart, those two guys, that all of a sudden the message isn’t clear?” Monken said while clearing the air.
“He’s the best, to me, [at] motivating and directing and keeping a team moving in a certain direction,” the veteran OC explained. He concluded that any claims that Harbaugh’s message wasn’t clear were an “easy cop-out.”
Obviously, there is no ill will between Monken and Harbaugh. He remains the favorite for the Giants’ OC position, so long as Cleveland doesn’t swoop in and appoint him head coach.
Giants Insider Shares ‘Biggest Threat’ to Lure Todd Monken Away From Harbaugh