John Harbaugh theory regarding Giants head coach interviews surfaces

Almost immediately after the Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, multiple reporters linked him with a New York Giants team that parted ways with former head coach Brian Daboll this past November. 

Longtime New York sports reporter Gary Myers is among those who have confirmed that Harbaugh won't interview with coach-needy clubs before next week at the earliest. Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons noted on Thursday that the Giants were expected to finish meeting with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris before they interview franchise legend/former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. 

Simmons also shared a theory regarding why the Giants are conducting those interviews as soon as possible. 

Giants will soon be Rooney Rule compliant 

"When the Giants complete the interview with Pierce, they will be compliant with the Rooney Rule and able to make a hire," Simmons explained. "...Multiple reporters on the Giants beat have named former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as the favorite to land the job. By being Rooney Rule compliant, the Giants can get him to the building and convince him not to leave once Harbaugh begins doing interviews next week." 

SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes reported on Wednesday that the Giants are "all-in" on hiring Harbaugh, who is "the No. 1 coach on their wish list." Meanwhile, Harbaugh is said to have "a high regard for the Giants' job and" for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.  

Per The Athletic, teams must conduct in-person interviews with at least two external minority candidates to satisfy Rooney Rule requirements before a head coach can officially be hired.  

Will history repeat itself in the NFL this offseason? 

It was reported roughly 12 months ago that Las Vegas "never requested an interview or tried to bring Mike Vrabel in because he essentially told (Raiders minority owner) Tom Brady" he was going to become the next head coach of the New England Patriots. After the Patriots confirmed they had hired Vrabel, some accused the team of completing "sham interviews" with non-candidates to get past Rooney Rule roadblocks that would have delayed the inevitable hiring. 

Meanwhile, the Giants may be in a hurry to satisfy the Rooney Rule before the Miami Dolphins get in a position where they could possibly hire Harbaugh.