The New York Giants are finalizing a deal to hire Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh their next head coach, securing the most sought-after candidate of the NFL’s latest hiring cycle. The agreement is expected to span five years and carry a total value near $100 million, positioning Harbaugh among the league’s highest-paid coaches.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported early Wednesday that the deal was nearing completion, writing on X: “The #Giants will spend the morning finalizing a 5-year deal with former #Ravens coach John Harbaugh, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches. But Harbaugh has accepted the job, as the first opening is filled.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter later confirmed the development, while Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz noted the contract carries “a total value that nears $100 [million].”
While the Giants have yet to formally announce the hire, the team fueled speculation by posting a single smirking emoji on social media Wednesday morning, widely interpreted as a nod to Harbaugh’s arrival.
Harbaugh, who was dismissed by Baltimore on Jan. 6 following an 8–9 season, brings an extensive résumé to New York. Over 18 seasons with the Ravens, he compiled a 180–113 regular-season record, captured a Super Bowl title during the 2012 campaign, won six AFC North crowns and guided the franchise to 12 playoff appearances. Despite missing the postseason six times, his 2025 campaign marked only the third losing season of his Baltimore tenure.
The Giants’ pursuit of Harbaugh was swift and aggressive from the moment he became available, hosting his first in-person interview of the offseason while he also drew interest from the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Team brass, including general manager Joe Schoen and co-owner John Mara, led a full-court press that also involved Eli Manning, former coach Tom Coughlin and even outgoing head coach Brian Daboll. Chris Mara traveled to Harbaugh’s home for an in-person lunch meeting as part of the recruitment effort.
The Giants finished 4–13 in 2025 and has missed the playoffs eight times in the past nine seasons. The 2025 campaign was further derailed by injuries and setbacks, including a season-ending ACL tear to star wide receiver Malik Nabers, a serious ankle injury to rookie running back Cam Skattebo, and multiple concussion evaluations for first-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2011, New York owns one of the league’s worst overall records, including a 13–38 mark over the past three years and a combined 7–27 record during the last two seasons. Daboll was fired midseason at 2–8, with Mike Kafka finishing the year as interim head coach.
Once finalized, Harbaugh is set to become the Giants’ fifth full-time head coach since Coughlin stepped down in January 2016, and the 24th head coach in the franchise’s 101-year history. Former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is expected to be a leading candidate to join Harbaugh’s staff.
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