After 18 years leading the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh wasn’t looking for a sabbatical-he was looking for his next sideline. And now, he’s found it. The veteran head coach is set to take over the New York Giants, a move that instantly reshapes the NFL’s coaching landscape and signals the Giants are all-in on a new era.
What was shaping up to be a relatively quiet coaching carousel turned chaotic the moment Harbaugh hit the market. As soon as the Ravens parted ways with the longtime head coach, interest poured in from across the league.
Titans. Falcons.
And, of course, the Giants. After weighing his options, Harbaugh chose New York, and the two sides are working to finalize a deal that will make him the next head coach of Big Blue, replacing Brian Daboll.
Harbaugh met extensively with Giants leadership on Wednesday, touring the team’s facilities and reportedly sitting down with franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart. He had interviews lined up with other teams, including the Titans and Falcons, but ultimately canceled those plans. The Giants were the right fit-and he didn’t need long to decide.
Why Harbaugh Picked the Giants
On paper, the Giants may not have looked like the most enticing destination after a turbulent 2025 season. But dig deeper, and there’s a lot to like-starting with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Harbaugh is walking into a situation where the most important box on the franchise checklist-quarterback-is already checked. Dart showed enough as a rookie to convince the Giants that he’s their guy, and Harbaugh, a coach who’s seen plenty of quarterback development up close, clearly saw something he liked on film. According to reports, Harbaugh had already been studying Dart’s tape shortly after his exit from Baltimore, and what he saw gave him reason to believe this team has real potential.
There’s also the return of wide receiver Malik Nabers from injury, a defense with cornerstone pieces in place, and a high draft pick this spring. Add it all up, and the Giants present a compelling opportunity for a coach who knows what it takes to build a winner.
The Titans, another team in the mix, also had their appeal-rookie QB Cam Ward flashed late in the year, they’ve got cap space, and a new stadium on the horizon. But the instability in Tennessee’s front office likely gave Harbaugh pause.
The Titans have made major leadership changes in four straight seasons, including two head coach firings and two GM changes. That kind of churn makes it tough for any coach to build a program.
The Giants, on the other hand, have shown patience with GM Joe Schoen and appear ready to give Harbaugh the runway to turn things around-even if it takes time. That kind of organizational stability matters, especially to a coach who just spent nearly two decades in one place.
What the Contract Looks Like
Harbaugh is finalizing a five-year deal with the Giants, and while the exact numbers haven’t been disclosed, reports suggest he’ll be among the highest-paid coaches in NFL history. Fox Sports reported that Harbaugh’s asking price was around $20 million per year, and the Giants were quick to let him know they were willing to meet that number.
Beyond the salary, New York is reportedly prepared to give Harbaugh the resources to build out his staff however he sees fit. That includes potentially bringing along familiar faces-Todd Monken, Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator in Baltimore the past three seasons, is reportedly a top candidate to follow him to New York in the same role.
Harbaugh’s Resume Speaks for Itself
Harbaugh arrives in New York with a résumé few can match. Across 18 seasons in Baltimore, he posted a 180-113 record (.614 win percentage), making him the 14th-winningest coach in NFL history and third among active head coaches now that he’s back in the game.
Only three of those seasons ended with a losing record, and his teams were known for their toughness, discipline, and ability to win in the postseason. Harbaugh owns a 13-11 playoff record and led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII title. His 2019 squad went 14-2, and even in his final year with the Ravens-an 8-9 campaign-his team remained competitive in a loaded AFC.
A Rare Coaching Journey
Harbaugh’s path to New York is anything but typical. While many NFL coaches bounce from team to team, Harbaugh has only made two stops in his pro career. He began in Philadelphia in 1998 as the Eagles’ special teams coordinator, spent nearly a decade there, and then jumped to Baltimore in 2008-despite never having served as an offensive or defensive coordinator.
That leap of faith by the Ravens paid off. Harbaugh brought consistency, leadership, and a championship pedigree to Baltimore. Now, the Giants are betting he can do the same for them.
What’s Next for the Giants
Harbaugh becomes the Giants’ fifth head coach since Tom Coughlin’s departure, and he’ll be aiming to become the first since Coughlin to make it to a fifth season in New York. But first things first: turning the page on a disappointing 2025 and building a more competitive team in 2026.
With a young quarterback, a respected front office, and a proven coach now at the helm, the Giants are hoping they’ve found the right formula. And if Harbaugh’s track record is any indication, they just might have.