The New York Giants get the player they’ve been trying to get since he came on: John Harbaugh.
The Giants and Harbaugh finalized the deal on Saturday, according to multiple reports. According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the deal is expected to last five years and be worth a total of $100 million, making it one of the largest contracts in the league.
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“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I am extremely proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise and especially excited to work with Mara and the Tisch family. But most importantly, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team and see what we can accomplish together.”
Harbaugh becomes the Giants’ fifth head coach (seven including interims) since Tom Coughlin resigned in January 2016. Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is reportedly expected to join Harbaugh’s staff.
The Giants’ interest in Harbaugh was evident from the moment he took the field. Teams reportedly targeted the coach immediately after he was fired by the Ravens, and the interest was mutual, with Harbaugh reportedly watching video of Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart (as well as Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward).
That dance culminated in a strange series of events Wednesday before Harbaugh was hired. The Giants successfully secured their first interview with the coach, who also plans to meet with the Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Many said the Giants “won’t let him leave the building,” but he did anyway and returned home to Baltimore.
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Typically, a coach resisting a “massive push” (as one reporter described it to Giants stadium) means a deal won’t happen anytime soon, but Harbaugh is apparently still on the phone, ready to start talking about numbers on his first Giants contract.
Harbaugh is top of the coaching market
Harbaugh coached the Ravens for 18 seasons and was fired after a disappointing 8-9 season. He led the Ravens to a 180-113 record during the regular season and led the team to the 2013 Super Bowl championship.
While this is only his sixth postseason absence with the Ravens, Harbaugh has struggled in the postseason since winning the Super Bowl. The last time the Ravens won multiple playoff games in a season was in 2012-13. Since 2014, Harbaugh’s playoff record is 3-6.
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Now that Harbaugh has joined the Giants, it will be a long time before Harbaugh is reunited with the Ravens other than the Super Bowl. The two teams are not expected to play a regular season game until 2028.
Harbaugh began his career as a special teams and defensive backs coach with Ray Rhodes and Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles in the early 2000s.
Harbaugh is prize in Giants’ tough year
The Giants went 4-13 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons. The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll after losing their opening three games and getting off to a 2-8 start. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was named interim head coach for the remainder of the regular season.
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It’s been another forgettable season for the Giants. Star wide receiver Malik Nabers is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Week 4; rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who quickly became a fan favorite, dislocated his ankle in Week 8 and required season-ending surgery; first-year quarterback Dart required five concussion evaluations and sat out the game after being diagnosed with one as his aggressive running style was questioned.
However, there are signs of improvement, and if the roster can stay healthy, Harbaugh can help lead the Giants to a more successful 2026 season. The Giants’ total offense average increased by 38.7 yards per game, and their passing and rushing yards and points per game also increased. The defense has had some down years, but Brian Burns is second in the NFL with a career-high 16.5 sacks.
April’s NFL Draft could help, as the Giants will select fifth overall, their fourth top-six pick in the past five seasons.