The New York Giants announced Saturday that John Harbaugh has agreed to a five-year contract to become the franchise’s next head coach. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the deal will pay Harbaugh $20 million per season, placing the total value near $100 million and ranking him among the NFL’s highest-paid coaches.
Harbaugh, 63, accepted the Giants’ offer earlier this week after days of meetings and negotiations with team ownership. Speaking with Schefter, he addressed the meaning of the opportunity.
“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said. “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.”
- John Harbaugh agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Giants worth about $20 million per season.
- Harbaugh joins the Giants after 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he went 180-113, won a Super Bowl, and reached the playoffs 12 times.
- The Giants granted Harbaugh a unique reporting structure in which he answers directly to ownership, not the general manager.
Harbaugh’s Departure From Baltimore Follows Missed Playoffs
Harbaugh joins the Giants after spending 18 seasons as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. During his tenure, he compiled a 180-113 regular-season record, won a Super Bowl, led the team to the playoffs 12 times, produced 11 seasons with double-digit wins, and captured six AFC North titles.
The Ravens fired Harbaugh last week after missing the postseason. Baltimore entered Week 18 with a win-or-go-home opportunity but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending their playoff chances and Harbaugh’s time with the organization following a phone call from owner Steve Bisciotti.
Two days later, Harbaugh was already discussing the Giants as his next team.
“I think we can win games next year with this roster and the players coming back,” Harbaugh said.
Giants Complete Extensive Coaching Search With Veteran Hire
The Giants began their coaching search after firing Brian Daboll in November. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka served as interim head coach for the final seven games of the season. Over the past two seasons, New York went 7-27, prompting ownership to pursue an experienced replacement.
According to ESPN sources, the Giants conducted in-person interviews with Kafka, Mike McCarthy, Raheem Morris, Kevin Stefanski, and Antonio Pierce. They also held virtual interviews with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and Broncos assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.
Harbaugh interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday and had tentative plans to meet with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. New York moved first, bringing Harbaugh to the team’s East Rutherford, New Jersey facility on Wednesday morning. He spent more than seven hours meeting with ownership, executives, and department heads before dining with team officials at Elia Mediterranean. Harbaugh returned to the Baltimore area that evening on Giants chairman Steve Tisch’s private jet.
Sportsbooks Update Giants Futures After Hiring
As the Giants advanced discussions with Harbaugh, betting markets adjusted coaching odds. DraftKings and other sportsbooks installed Harbaugh as the favorite to become New York’s next head coach once his availability became public.
After the contract agreement, futures markets updated expectations for the team. BetOnline.ag set the Giants’ projected 2026 regular-season win total at 8.5 games. New York has gone 13-38 over the past three seasons.
Championship futures remain long. Odds tracked by Covers list the Giants at approximately +100000 to win the Super Bowl and around +75000 to win the NFC Championship. Earlier in 2025, the Super Bowl number was closer to +20000 before lengthening later in the season.
During the 2025 season, individual game markets also pointed to offensive struggles. In a Week 15 matchup against Washington, quarterback Jaxson Dart’s passing yards prop was listed under 208.5 yards.
Former NFL coach Rex Ryan said the Giants are “absolutely a playoff team” under Harbaugh, citing the roster on both sides of the ball.
Ownership Details Decision and Organizational Plan
Giants president John Mara announced the hiring Saturday night in a team release.
“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” Mara said. “Joe Schoen presented us an outstanding group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision. Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants.”
Giants chairman Steve Tisch also addressed the decision.
“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared,” Tisch said. “His passion for the game, his ability to connect with players, and his experience leading at the highest level made him an outstanding fit for us, and we’re excited to move forward together.”
Reporting Structure Finalized After Multi-Day Talks
NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday afternoon that the Giants and Harbaugh had agreed to terms, though the deal took several days to finalize. Discussions centered on football operations structure rather than salary.
Under the agreement, Harbaugh will report directly to Giants ownership instead of general manager Joe Schoen. Harbaugh explained the process to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor.
“It was building the football operations structure,” Harbaugh said. “The conversations with John and Chris Mara and Joe about that were great. We’re not going to be much bigger operationally, but it takes time to put that together in negotiations. It finally came together and I like the start of where we are going, but we still have to build it out. We’re on the same page with it.”
Harbaugh Evaluates Roster Before Accepting Role
Before agreeing to the contract, Harbaugh reviewed the Giants’ roster and game film. He studied quarterback Jaxson Dart and had scouts evaluate the team. Harbaugh told people he did not believe a rebuild was required and felt the Giants could become a winning team in 2026.
The roster includes Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and a pass-rushing group featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter. Harbaugh raised questions about roster control during talks, including how disagreements over draft decisions would be handled. Ownership assured him of a collaborative approach.
John Mara told Harbaugh he intervenes only in disciplinary matters. Mara’s reputation around the league, along with Schoen’s prior willingness to move up in the draft for Daboll’s preferred quarterback, helped finalize the agreement.
Harbaugh now becomes the first Giants head coach to arrive with a Super Bowl victory already on his résumé and begins his tenure with a five-year commitment from ownership.
