The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in the search for their next head coach, but as it is with several NFL teams in the early stages of that same process, it appears that former Baltimore Ravens lead man John Harbaugh is the ultimate prize.
Cleveland got good news on that front Thursday, January 8, when team insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the Browns are almost definitely on Harbaugh’s radar as a serious contender for his services.
“Harbaugh, 62, won’t begin interviewing until next week, a league source told Cleveland.com. But the Browns will likely be on the list unless Harbaugh already has a slam-dunk job with another team,” Cabot wrote. “He’s believed to have legitimate interest in coaching the Browns, even with the uncertain quarterback situation and looming rebuild of the offense.”
Browns Will Face Heavy Competition From at Least 2 Franchises for John Harbaugh
GettyFormer Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh’s agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier this week that seven franchises had reached out about his client’s availability within an hour of Baltimore’s decision to dismiss its coach of the last 18 years. At the time, only six teams other than the Ravens had head coaching vacancies.
The implication was that at least one organization put in a call to Harbaugh’s camp with a head coach still employed. That team could have been the Miami Dolphins, who have subsequently fired Mike McDaniel after four years in South Beach.
Cabot added in her report that the Dolphins and New York Giants will “heavily pursue” Harbaugh, which connects with other independent reports that New York has strong interest in Harbaugh to lead its players in 2026 and beyond.
Browns’ Defense, Rookie Class Offer 2 Strong Selling Points to John Harbaugh
GettyCleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
The Browns face an uphill battle for Harbaugh given their salary cap situation, currently $17 million in the red, and that the quarterbacks on the roster are Deshaun Watson and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
But there are benefits in Cleveland, as well. Jim Schwartz’s defense finished No. 1 and No. 4 in the league in 2023 and 2025, respectively, and it will remain anchored by edge-rusher Myles Garrett who just broke the NFL’s single-season sack record (23).
General manager Andrew Berry also cobbled together one of the better draft classes in recent memory last April with what appear to be at least four home run picks in defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5), linebacker Carson Schwesigner (No. 33), running back Quinshon Judkins (No. 36) and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (No. 67).
The Browns may not be able to select a franchise QB at the top of the first round after a 5-12 record leaves them with the No. 6 overall selection. However, Cleveland also holds the rights to the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ first-rounder, currently No. 28, as well as eight other selections (10 picks total).
Four of those 10 draft choices come inside the top 70, where Berry absolutely crushed last time around.
Harbaugh is also wildly familiar with the opponents in the AFC North, including the team he coached for nearly two decades, which would presumably be an advantage moving forward — at least in the early going when most of the major players/coaches/front office people across the division are largely the same.
It doesn’t hurt that Harbaugh grew up as a Browns fan, or that some around the NFL are suggesting Cleveland could offer him upwards of $100 million to come to Northeast Ohio for the long haul.
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