The Patriots host the Texans and Rams face off against the Bears as NFL playoffs near their final four

The first big moves of the NFL head coach hiring cycle were made Saturday by the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.

The Giants have hired Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh for their vacancy. They were one of nine NFL teams with an opening at head coach.

“I want to thank John Mara, Steve Tisch, Chris Mara, and Joe Schoen for the opportunity to lead the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said in a statement Saturday. “To serve as this franchise’s head coach is a tremendous honor. I come from a football family, and I have deep respect for the history and tradition of this organization.

“I’m excited to begin assembling our staff and getting to work building our team. I would like to sincerely thank Steve Bisciotti and the Baltimore Ravens organization for 18 remarkable years, including the opportunity to become a head coach in the National Football League.

“My family and I are grateful for the welcome we’ve already felt, and we look forward to becoming part of the Giants family.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal is for five years.

The Atlanta Falcons announced Saturday they hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach.

The Falcons fired Raheem Morris after finishing 8-9 in their eighth-straight season missing the playoffs. The search was overseen by new president of football Matt Ryan, the franchise’s longtime quarterback who was hired to the front office just a week ago.

Stefanski, 43, was fired after six seasons in Cleveland after the Browns went 5-12 this season. In 2020 and 2023, he was named NFL Coach of the Year, but his overall regular season record in Cleveland was just 45-56.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be charged with leading this iconic franchise,” said Stefanski.