With the Arizona Cardinals‘ coaching search underway, one high-profile coach suddenly became available. After the Baltimore Ravens were eliminated at the end of the 2025 NFL season, the team fired head coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh’s past track record speaks for itself. In 18 years as the Ravens’ coach, he carries a 193-124 overall record, including playoffs, and a Super Bowl XLVII championship. His 180 regular-season wins rank 13th in NFL history. He’s built a playoff contender with two different quarterbacks, Joe Flacco (2008-18) and Lamar Jackson (2018-25).
With that track record, he should be a hot commodity in the coaching market. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Harbaugh received calls from as many as seven teams within 45 minutes of being fired.
Arizona Media Calls for Cardinals to Target John Harbaugh
In his Bickley Blast segment for Bickley & Marrotta‘s January 7 broadcast, co-host Dan Bickley called on the Cardinals owner to target Harbaugh in their coaching search.
“If Michael Bidwill really wants to win, if he really wants to refresh his reputation, he should make a very public run for John Harbaugh,” said Bickley. “Because even though Harbaugh will have better options, in cities with established quarterbacks, a very public pursuit of Harbaugh will echo throughout the NFL. And it will also affirm Bidwill’s statement on Black Monday that he badly wants to win.
“I’m not saying it’s Harbaugh or bust. I love the idea of poaching [defensive coordinator] Robert Saleh from the 49ers or [offensive coordinator] Mike LaFleur from the Rams. And I believe the Cardinals can unearth their own version of [Phoenix Suns head coach] Jordan Ott if they know where to look and look hard enough.”
Arizona Cardinals On SI’s Donnie Druin also supports the idea. Druin calls Harbaugh the experienced coach the team needs to get over the hump after Jonathan Gannon improved the culture in three years. He also cites familiarity with Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who served as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022-23, as another reason.
Likelihood the Cardinals Can Land John Harbaugh
Landing Harbaugh would require the Cardinals to provide a significant investment in their coaching staff. The former Ravens coach signed a three-year extension in March that paid him $17 million annually.
It’s unclear if team owner Michael Bidwill would be willing to commit $17 million or more per year to another head coach. The team is already paying two head coaches, Kliff Kingsbury and Jonathan Gannon. Both coaches still have two years left on their contracts with Arizona. They are already paying $12.5 million for two coaches who have been relieved of their duties.
Even if money is not a deterrent, the Cardinals are not an attractive destination. They have questions about the future of the quarterback position and whether Kyler Murray is still the answer. At 63, Harbaugh likely only has one more head coaching opportunity. He’ll have no shortage of teams lining up with coaching offers. With questions at the most important position on the field, he may look to go somewhere else.
Where Could John Harbaugh End Up?
Nick Brinkerhoff of USA Today predicts that Harbaugh will stay in the AFC North and head for the Cleveland Browns. The former Ravens coach is a Toledo native and played his college football at Miami (Ohio). The same prediction has the Cardinals hiring Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is one of the five early candidates in the team’s search.
Brinkerhoff’s colleague at USA Today, Ayrton Ostly, listed the top destinations for Harbaugh this offseason. The New York Giants were at the top of the list, followed by the Atlanta Falcons and the Cardinals. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Harbaugh is expected to emerge as the favorite to land the Giants‘ job.
Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports lists nine potential suitors for the former Ravens coach. Vacchiano reports that all six teams with a head coach vacancy, including the Cardinals, have contacted Harbaugh. He also listed the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Carolina Panthers as teams to watch.
Cardinals Urged to Pursue John Harbaugh After Stunning Ravens Firing