The New York Giants wrapped up their initial wave of interviews with potential head coaches on Wednesday, and after spending Thursday deliberating, the team is reportedly down to three viable candidates.

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks? Out. Former Denver Broncos running backs/assistant coach Eric Studesville? Out. Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo? Also out.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports the Giants have honed in on New England Patriots coordinators Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels, as well as Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

The next head coach of the Giants will be Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia or Pat Shurmur, with no surprise candidate looming, and at this point all three are very much in the mix. Steve Wilks, the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, did not make the cut after the first round of interviews, according to someone with knowledge of the Giants’ thinking. Steve Spagnuolo, the Giants’ defensive coordinator, and Eric Studesville, the former Broncos’ running backs coach and assistant head coach, are not being considered for the head-coach position

Given that the Giants want to conduct a second interview with their potential options and none are currently scheduled, it lends validity to The Post report.

Of course, that also means the Giants will face some stiff competition.

Patricia was previously considered a favorite for the Detroit Lions’ job, while Shurmur is an option for the Arizona Cardinals and McDaniels for the Indianapolis Colts.

Making matters worse, none of the three options remaining can be engaged in contract negotiations until after their teams are eliminated from the playoffs (or win the Super Bowl). That ultimately means a long and drawn out process for Big Blue.

The Giants could circumvent the NFL’s rules and enter into an unofficial agreement with one of their three potential options, but even that would not likely come until after the divisional round of the playoffs. So now it’s a waiting game.