Tom Coughlin, Giants Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The New York Giants agreed on a one-year contract extension with two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Tom Coughlin on Wednesday, per Michael Eisen of Giants.com.

Kimberly Jones of NFL Network previously reported that a one-year extension would be coming for Coughlin following the NFL Scouting Combine:

Coughlin has been the only coach to ever defeat his New England Patriots counterpart Bill Belichick and claim the Lombardi Trophy—and he's done it twice. However, inconsistency has marred those extreme highs during Coughlin's New York tenure.

The Giants haven't made the postseason in the three years since their last Super Bowl triumph over New England. Multiple championships have bought Coughlin time, and this latest contract essentially obligates him to return New York to the playoffs.

Fans have reason to be optimistic. With wide receiver Victor Cruz returning from a season-ending knee injury, his pairing with Odell Beckham Jr. creates one of the most explosive wide receiver duos in the NFL—provided Cruz is fully healthy.

Quarterback Eli Manning transitioned to a new offense last year for the first time since 2006. In his second season under play-caller Ben McAdoo, with a full training camp to gain chemistry and with Beckham to boot, Manning could catalyze an outstanding Giants offense in 2015.

Mere modest improvements on defense through free agency and the draft, along with tweaks to the offensive line to improve the running game, and the addition of Shane Vereen, should allow Coughlin to field a promising team. 

All of those positive circumstances ought to help Coughlin honor the Giants' latest expression of faith in him. Considering he guided the Giants to two Super Bowls as a wild card, all New York needs to do is get into the postseason dance to have a chance.