John Harbaugh and the New York Giants are closing in on a contract to make him the franchise’s next head coach, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
At a Glance
- Harbaugh interviewed for hours at the team facility on Wednesday.
- Negotiations are continuing but expected to conclude soon.
- He was fired by Baltimore after 18 seasons, 12 playoff trips and one Super Bowl title.
- Why it matters: The Giants hope to finalize the hire ahead of rival teams also seeking new coaches.
The in-person meeting in East Rutherford, New Jersey, lasted much of the day and convinced both sides that a deal is within reach, the sources told James O Connor Fields. While Harbaugh retains other potential opportunities, the dialogue with the Giants has centered on “getting to the finish line,” one source said.
Wednesday’s Interview Sealed Momentum
Harbaugh arrived at the facility as the organization’s clear front-runner. General manager Joe Schoen, returning for a fifth season, had promised an expansive search, yet the former Super Bowl XLVII champion quickly emerged as the preferred choice.
The interview satisfied the Rooney Rule requirements after the team spoke with Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce. Hours of conversation about roster philosophy, staff construction and offensive scheme reinforced New York’s belief that Harbaugh could stabilize a franchise that parted ways with Brian Daboll.
Baltimore Exit Opens Door
The Ravens dismissed Harbaugh after a Week 18 loss that eliminated them from postseason contention on a final-second missed field goal. The ending closed his 18-year tenure in which Baltimore never endured more than two straight losing seasons and captured the Lombardi Trophy in the 2012 campaign.
That championship run came one year after the Giants’ most recent title, amplifying the symmetry for an organization hungry to return to contention. Despite the abrupt ending, Harbaugh leaves Baltimore with 12 playoff berths and a reputation for developing talent on both sides of the ball.
Market Competition Looms
While Tennessee and Atlanta have also requested conversations, the Giants have prioritized closing terms before other vacancies crystallize. More than half the league could enter the hiring cycle, so speed has become part of the strategy.
Schoen and co-owner John Mara view Harbaugh’s experience managing veteran stars and integrating young quarterbacks as a fit for a roster that includes several first-round picks on defense and a developing offense built around skill-position speed.
Contract Details Still Fluid
Talks continued through Thursday morning on length, guaranteed money and staffing autonomy. Harbaugh is expected to retain play-calling input while hiring a coordinator versed in modern passing concepts, according to the people close to the situation.
Neither side has signed paperwork, leaving room for last-minute pivots. Still, optimism remains high inside the building that an announcement could arrive within 48 hours, ahead of division rivals who may also pursue playoff-tested coaches.
What Comes Next
Finalizing the contract would give the Giants stability entering the scouting combine in February and free agency in March. Harbaugh would inherit the sixth overall draft pick, cap flexibility after a recent purge of veteran salaries, and a fan base eager for a return to January football.
Until signatures are on the deal, the organization will maintain contingency lists. Yet the momentum generated Wednesday points toward one outcome: Harbaugh roaming the MetLife sidelines for the first time since 2008, when he visited as Baltimore’s special-teams coordinator and left with a victory that foreshadowed his head-coaching ascent.
Key Takeaways
- Harbaugh is the Giants’ top target after a marathon interview.
- Negotiations center on contract structure and staff control.
- He departs Baltimore with the second-most wins in franchise history.
- A swift hire would beat a crowded market of coaching searches.
