NFL Rumors: 2 Surprising Frontrunners Revealed For John Harbaugh

January 13, 2026 ,
Baltimore Ravens recently fired head coach John Harbaugh reacts on the sidelines during 2025 game.

The John Harbaugh carousel is picking up steam, and early industry chatter has pegged the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants as the two frontrunners to land the esteemed head coach.

Atlanta has already moved fast, completing an interview with Harbaugh as the club ramps up a full reset at the top.

Falcons and Giants pushing hardest for Harbaugh

The appeal is pretty obvious on both sides. The Falcons can sell a strong runway to contention in a division that has been wide open lately, plus a roster that is closer than a total teardown. 

New York’s pitch is different, more about brand, resources, and being the franchise that hires a proven program builder instead of rolling the dice again. 

Reports tied to SNY have described a leaguewide belief that the race is leaning Falcons or Giants, with strong internal support on the New York side. 

What it means for Browns, Dolphins, and Titans

That doesn’t mean the rest of the field is out. 

Albert Breer has noted that the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans are still expected to get a real opportunity to present their case, and that Harbaugh has been laying groundwork on a potential coaching staff as the process begins. 

Still, if you’re reading the temperature right now, the center of the board is Atlanta and New York, with everyone else trying to make the meeting so strong it changes the pecking order. 

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images 

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