John Harbaugh agreed to a five-year contract to become the New York Giants’ new head coach, according to multiple media reports on Saturday, ending a brief eight-day stint on the open market after his departure from Baltimore.
Multiple outlets reported earlier this week that the deal could be worth as much as $100m.
“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh told ESPN. “I’m proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families. But most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together.”
The 63-year-old coach was fired by the Baltimore Ravens over the phone last week, ending an 18-year partnership after the team missed the playoffs. Harbaugh moved quickly to the top of the Giants’ list and was at the team facility Wednesday for his only in-person interview.
That visit followed an earlier meeting Sunday with Giants personnel executive Chris Mara, the son of co-chairman John Mara, who had lunch with Harbaugh at his home and described the conversation as informal. ESPN reported Harbaugh conducted extensive background work on the franchise during the process, including receiving assurances from former Giants coach Brian Daboll – who was fired in November – about the organization’s infrastructure.
Harbaugh led the Ravens to the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, compiling a 180–113 regular-season record and a 13–11 mark in the postseason. He guided Baltimore to the Super Bowl title after the 2012 season, defeating the San Francisco 49ers, coached by his brother Jim.
Baltimore finished 8–9 in 2025 and narrowly missed the playoffs after a last-second field-goal attempt sailed wide in the season finale against Pittsburgh. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said this week that even if the kick had been made, Harbaugh may have only remained with the team for another week.
