Did Jaxson Dart Reveal Giants' Next HC? Lip Readers Dissect Video from Ole Miss Sidelines

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart got the football world buzzing on Thursday night due to the theory that he may have inadvertently provided some insight into the Giants' head coaching search.

While on the sidelines during the College Football Playoff semifinal between his alma mater, Ole Miss, and Miami, cameras captured Dart having a conversation with an Ole Miss staffer (beginning at the 18-second mark):

Per Erich Richter of the New York Post, internet lip readers and sleuths slowed down the video and came up with the hypothesis that Dart was asked about the Giants' next head coach before responding, "I don't know—[John] Harbaugh or [Kevin] Stefanski—but I don't know."

Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Giants are scheduled to interview Harbaugh next week, and they have "kept in close contact" with Harbaugh's representation thus far.

The Giants have already interviewed Stefanski for their head coaching vacancy, and a team source told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post that it "went very well."

After a 2-8 start this season, the Giants fired Brian Daboll, ending his tenure as the team's head coach in the midst of his fourth year on the job.

The Giants didn't fare much better under interim head coach Mike Kafka, finishing 4-13 overall, but there is reason to believe that the Giants could be the most attractive job available aside from the Baltimore Ravens.

Dart is among the biggest reasons why, as he showed immense potential during his rookie campaign, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 487 yards and nine scores.

On top of that, the Giants boast young, potential franchise players at wide receiver and running back, respectively, in Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo.

New York also has a talented defense headlined by 2025 No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, Pro Bowl pass-rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

All of those factors suggest the Giants may have their pick of the litter when it comes to their next head coach, and it won't be a shock if it does indeed come down to Harbaugh and Stefanski.

Harbaugh was one of the longest-tenured head coaches in NFL history, going 180-113 over 18 seasons with the Ravens. He led them to the playoffs 12 times and won the Super Bowl in 2012.

Stefanski went just 45-56 over six seasons with the Cleveland Browns, but he led them to the playoffs twice and was twice named NFL Coach of the Year.

Prior to Stefanski taking the Browns to the playoffs in 2020, they had not reached the postseason since 2002.

While it is possible that people are reading too much into whatever Dart was talking about during the Fiesta Bowl, Harbaugh and Stefanski do indeed stand out as strong candidates for the Giants, and both are firmly on the organization's radar.