Day 8 of the John Harbaugh watch produced the first in-person meeting for the high-profile coaching candidate. The Giants booked that summit and have Harbaugh on-hand today.
Unless the Giants can convince Harbaugh they are the perfect fit today, it appears the veteran HC will have more visits to make. Harbaugh is currently planning in-person meetings with the Falcons and Titans, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. The early expectation points to both meetings taking place over the next three days.
Considering this is Harbaugh’s first time on the coaching carousel in 18 years, it would make sense he takes more than one in-person meeting. The Giants, after all, have not done well to keep their interest a secret. It does not seem Harbaugh would lose leverage with the Giants if he leaves their facility today to take other meetings.
The Falcons were the first team to meet with Harbaugh officially, but the visit was virtual. The Titans initially came up as a team trailing the Giants and Falcons in these sweepstakes, but a subsequent report pegged Tennessee as being one of the three frontrunners to land this market’s top prize.
As for the Giants, Harbaugh has done plenty of homework. He has researched how the organization is run and spoken with ownership about potential improvements, according to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano. Harbaugh, 63, is also not believed to have issues working with GM Joe Schoen, whom the Giants are retaining for a fifth year atop the front office.
Schoen used a first-round pick in last year’s draft on quarterback Jaxson Dart, whose presence could help lead Harbaugh to New York. Dart reportedly intrigues Harbaugh, though the Falcons and Titans also have young signal-callers who may appeal to the coach.
The Falcons spent the eighth overall pick on Michael Penix Jr. two years ago. Penix was unspectacular in his first two seasons, though, and he added to a long injury history with a partially torn ACL in Week 11. Led by new president of football Matt Ryan and a to-be-determined general manager, the Falcons will have to decide how to proceed at quarterback this offseason. It seems likely the Falcons will part with Kirk Cousins, which would at least put them in the market for a capable insurance policy behind Penix.
One thing is clear about Atlanta: QB issues aside, there’s enviable talent on hand with running back Bijan Robinson, No. 1 wide receiver Drake London and a defense that produced the NFL’s second-most sacks in 2025. However, the team could lose tight end Kyle Pitts to free agency after he earned second-team All-Pro honors this season. Harbaugh, whose Ravens were often known for excellent tight end play during his tenure, may push to retain Pitts.
The Titans, meanwhile, took former Miami signal-caller Cam Ward No. 1 overall in 2025. Ward struggled as a rookie, but there was little help around him. Adding more talent in the offseason will be an obvious priority for GM Mike Borgonzi, who will have the cap space and draft capital to do it. Roughly two months before free agency, Borgonzi could massively upgrade the team’s head coaching position in moving from the Brian Callahan–Mike McCoy duo to Harbaugh.
More to come.
If the Falcons can convince Harbaugh that there is hope with Penix, it would not surprise me if he were to end up there. I still believe the Giants have the edge, but IMO, the Falcons are not far behind. As a Falcons fan, I hope to see him on their sidelines.
After hiring Harbaugh, it would be nice to see McDaniel as the OC! Just dreaming I guess. It would kind of feel like Shanahan up in the box. The only unfortunate thing for the Falcons to hopefully soon end up with an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl, it will bring up the 28–3 story again. I guess the fact that there are not many, if any, on that sideline that were even there in ‘16–‘17 make make that point mute.
Give me John as head coach, McDaniels or daboll as OC, bring in Malik Willis or Mac jones to backup/compete with Penix and draft Caleb downs first round I’m a happy camper !
ATL doesn’t have a 1st round pick this year; they traded it to the Rams last year. Other than that, many Falcons fans would be happy with what you’ve outlined.
I’m sure people think the Titans have no shot, but I could see it. He could shape the roster more as the Titans are a ways from competing and build from the ground up with a QB already in place (assuming he likes Cam Ward). If that sort of thing interests him, that is. Probably a long shot, but maybe!