New York Giants might just land one of the most iconic coaches in football history if they part ways with Brian Daboll after 2025

Head coach Brian Daboll knows his job is at stake going into the New York Giants' 2025 NFL season. Owner John Mara explicitly told the media he was running out of patience near the start of the offseason. 

And if Daboll ends up being fired by the end of the year, it will be coaching search season for the Giants. If the latest rumors around the football world are true, one of the most iconic coaches in the sport's history could very well be in the mix: Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. 

And according to my fellow A to Z Sports writer Zach Ragan, the Giants are two of three teams that make the most sense for Saban, including those in college football. 

Why Nick Saban could be in the mix for a future opening with the Giants  

The math on the Giants' side of things is simple: The roster has many holes and there's a significant probability they won't be making the playoffs this year. In fact, they could realistically end up picking in the Top 10 once again. If that's the case, Daboll is likely out of the picture in 2026.

On Saban's side of things, the conversation was kickstarted by a specific rumor that points toward a potential return to coaching from the seven-time National Championship winner head coach. 

SEC Network analyst Greg McElroy said that a person he trusts and is in the know "seems to think Nick Saban is not done coaching, he's pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again." 

If true, the question becomes, where? My colleague Zach Ragan pointed to the LSU Tigers, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Giants as the three likeliest landing spots. Below is an excerpt of his thinking: 

You just know that Saban hates that he failed in the NFL. And you know that deep down, he thinks he could have success at football's highest level. 

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who worked under Saban for three seasons at Alabama, said on Monday that he could see his former boss returning to the NFL. "I kinda thought it might be the NFL (for Saban)," said Kiffin on Monday during an appearance on the SEC Network. "Because he's so sharp still."

If Saban makes the jump to the NFL, the New York Giants or the Cincinnati Bengals would make a lot of sense (if either job comes open). The Giants have some nice young talent -- including a player in wide receiver Malik Nabers that Saban loves. - Zach Ragan

Who knows if Saban will really seek to return to coaching but it's clear the Giants are one of the teams likeliest to be looking for a new head coach a year from now. 

Saban was a defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick in Cleveland from 1991-1994. He was later the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2005 to 2006.