For the Atlanta Falcons, waiting may be the hardest part when it comes to John Harbaugh.
The longtime Baltimore Ravens head coach has suddenly become the most sought-after name among teams looking to fill their head coaching vacancies.
The Falcons fired second-year head coach Raheem Morris just hours after the team’s win over the New Orleans Saints in the regular-season finale. At the time, Atlanta had no indication Harbaugh would soon be available.
Nevertheless, the Falcons appear to have gained at least a small head start. Harbaugh interviewed with Atlanta, speaking with new president of football Matt Ryan, though the meeting took place over the phone rather than in person.
Harbaugh’s first in-person interview came Jan. 14 with the New York Giants, the team that has been viewed as the favorite to land him from the beginning. According to Giants insider Wesley Steinberg, however, Harbaugh left the facility without signing a deal.
“If John Harbaugh leaves East Rutherford, NJ, today without taking the Giants job, it doesn’t mean they’re out of it,” Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano said. “For days it has sounded like Harbaugh planned to take multiple visits, then go home to consider his options. That’s smart, sensible, and might be what he does.”
John Harbaugh Met With Jaxson Dart
Even though Harbaugh didn’t agree to a deal, there were signs he could be laying the groundwork to sign with the team.
Steinberg reported that while Harbaugh left the Giants’ facility, he later returned briefly to “make some calls.”
Perhaps more telling, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was on site to meet with Harbaugh.
“Jaxson Dart’s meeting with John Harbaugh isn’t exclusive, although it did involve the two taking a couple photos together,” SNYtv’s Connor Hughes said.
Hughes noted that Dart, who is frequently around the team’s facilities, has met with most of the coaching candidates the Giants have interviewed.
John Harbaugh May Not Interview With Falcons
Harbaugh’s next meeting is scheduled — and it isn’t with Atlanta. Instead of heading to the NFC South, he’ll turn his attention to the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans. There’s a twist, however.
“John Harbaugh will fly out of Teterboro Airport very soon back to his home, where he is scheduled to meet with the Tennessee Titans’ decision-makers on Thursday,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported. “The meeting will serve as a formal in-person interview with the Titans at Harbaugh’s residence.”
There is belief Harbaugh is intrigued by the opportunity to work with quarterback Cam Ward, along with the Titans’ projected $96.7 million in cap space for 2026. Even so, that may not be enough to pull him away from New York.
“My understanding as of this afternoon was that the Giants facility might be the only facility that John Harbaugh visits,” The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor said. “That certainly isn’t a bad sign for Giants fans.”
What may be keeping Harbaugh from pursuing another interview with the Falcons is Atlanta’s quarterback uncertainty and overall organizational structure.
“What I heard John Harbaugh is looking for in a team [is] an organizational structure. A solid quarterback,” Jordan Raanan said on ESPN’s NFL Live.
The Falcons face major questions at quarterback entering 2026, with Michael Penix Jr. expected to miss the early part of the season recovering from his ACL surgery. Complicating matters further is Kirk Cousins, whom Atlanta must decide on in March — whether that means restructuring his contract or cutting him altogether.
As for organizationally — Atlanta is in the midst of hiring a new general manager, following Terry Fontenot’s firing.
John Harbaugh’s Giants Visit Could Spell Trouble For Falcons