John Harbaugh Planning In-Person Falcons, Titans Interviews
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.
NFC East Notes: Smith, Cowboys, Draft, Giants, Eluemunor, Eagles, Commanders
Mentioned as a player who could move back to tackle, Tyler Smith is not going down that road yet. The Cowboys have seen Smith become an All-Pro at guard, and Brian Schottenheimer said (via ESPN.com’s Todd Archer) the recently extended standout will be staying there entering the 2026 offseason. The second-year Dallas HC did indicate the door will be open to shift Smith outside, however. Smith lined up at guard for the bulk of 2025, but the 2022 first-round pick — who filled in for Tyron Smith at left tackle as a rookie — saw 203 snaps on the blind side this season. Smith is 3-for-3 in Pro Bowls as a guard; he signed a guard-record $24MM-per-year extension last September. As it stands, 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton will enter the offseason as Dallas’ top LT.
Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- Jerry Jones made good on past comments the Cowboys could trade into the draft assets acquired in the Micah Parsons trade for veteran talent, acquiring Quinnen Williams at the deadline. The Cowboys used a 2027 first-round pick as the headliner in a deal to acquire the Pro Bowl defensive tackle from the Jets. The team still has two first-round picks in 2026. “Don’t think that we couldn’t do some trading with those two No. 1s,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “All of the value that you get out of having these extra picks and having some flexibility under the cap, we’re going to take advantage of it.” The Cowboys hold the Nos. 12 and 20 overall picks in the upcoming draft. Moving down the board would provide extra capital for a Cowboys team in dire need of defensive help; based on Dallas’ impressive first-round track record, it would surprise to see the team trade one of these two picks for veteran talent.
- The Commanders hold the No. 7 overall pick, and top sacker Von Miller is headed to free agency. While Miller is interested in staying, he will turn 37 in March. Washington is interested in adding EDGE talent in the draft or free agency, GM Adam Peters said (via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala). The team has Dorance Armstrong entering a contract year. After pursuing Joey Bosa and DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency last year, Washington signed Miller over the summer.
- Among the non-Saquon Barkley storylines during the memorable Hard Knocks: Offseason HBO offering on the Giants from 2024 covered Jermaine Eluemunor‘s free agency. The former Raiders right tackle sought a two-year deal rather than a longer-term commitment, betting on himself. After playing out a two-year, $14MM pact, Eluemunor should command a decent deal ahead of his age-31 season. Indeed, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes the Giants’ two-year RT is expected to command a “far bigger” contract than he did in 2024. Pro Football Focus graded the 31-year-old blocker 54th among tackles this season. He did start 31 games — at both right and left tackle — for the Giants over the past two seasons. Eluemunor will carry 76 career starts into free agency.
- A November ankle surgery sent Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba to IR. The operation appears likely to cost the rookie offseason time. The 2025 second-round pick said (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s E.J. Smith) he hopes to be ready by the late summer. Mukuba made 10 starts as a rookie. The Eagles also have Reed Blankenship and Marcus Epps set for free agency at safety; one year remains on Sydney Brown‘s rookie contract.
Giants To Meet With John Harbaugh
The most aggressive team in the John Harbaugh pursuit will have a chance to make a sales pitch. Harbaugh is meeting with the Giants today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
This will be the longtime Ravens HC’s second meeting since becoming a coaching free agent; the Falcons received the first, meeting with him Monday. This will, however, be Harbaugh’s first in-person meeting, NFL.com adds.
[RELATED: 2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Both John Mara and Steve Tisch are expected to be at the meeting, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan and Ian O’Connor. The Giants have satisfied the Rooney Rule, which required HC-seeking teams to interview at least two external minority candidates, meaning they could make a hire today if they chose.
Harbaugh has been connected to the Titans, Dolphins and Browns as well; as it stands, Atlanta, New York and Tennessee have been viewed as the frontrunners. But no known interviews have been scheduled there just yet, and Rapoport adds there is a chance Harbaugh does not leave the building without a deal in place today. A Titans meeting is believed to be in Harbaugh’s plans, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. The Falcons would also like to bring Harbaugh in for an in-person meeting, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes.
Joining the Falcons in monitoring Harbaugh’s Ravens status before his firing, the Giants have been in heavy on the Super Bowl-winning HC since his Baltimore ouster. The Giants came up as a team “all in” on Harbaugh quickly and team exec Chris Mara — John’s brother — had lunch with the free agent coach recently. Countless conversations have occurred between Harbaugh and the Giants, per Rapoport, raising the stakes for this in-person meeting. Chris Mara and Joe Schoen will be at this meeting as well, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano tweets.
The Giants are believed to appeal to Harbaugh in part because of their Jaxson Dart draft choice in last year’s first round. New York has plenty of needs and has won more than six games in a season just once over the past nine years. The team also is retaining Schoen, though it should be expected a Harbaugh hire would reduce the fifth-year GM’s power in the organization. Harbaugh is not believed to covet full personnel control, however.
New York already went with a coach carrying a special teams background, hiring Joe Judge in 2020, but Harbaugh obviously transcends such status by now. He led the Ravens for 18 years, winning a Super Bowl and reaching four AFC championship games. A failure to reach a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson doomed Harbaugh in Baltimore, but as many as nine teams — including some with HCs employed — contacted him hours after his firing.
There are now nine HC vacancies, but with Mike Tomlin not viewed as likely to dive into this pool (instead eyeing a TV role for 2026), Harbaugh is the biggest fish out there. He may make the first move to shape this year’s market.
Now 63, Harbaugh will undoubtedly be seeking a team that can present ingredients to win immediately. With the Giants entering Week 17 in the No. 1 overall draft slot (before falling to No. 5), it is worth wondering if they have the best case among interested teams. But Dart’s presence on a rookie contract (through at least 2027) does give New York a selling point some of the other teams angling for a splash hire do not.
Harbaugh is believed to have spent the weekend discussing arrangements with potential assistants. A decision could be coming soon, and the Giants’ pitch will be a key storyline as this chase continues.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/13/26
The NFL’s latest reserve/futures deals…
Buffalo Bills
- OL Nick Broeker
Indianapolis Colts
- LB Devin Veresuk
Los Angeles Chargers
- LS Peter Bowden, WR Dalevon Campbell, DL TeRah Edwards, WR Luke Grimm, WR JaQuae Jackson, RB Amar Johnson, LB Emany Johnson, C Josh Kaltenberger, TE Tanner McLachlan, OLB Garmon Randolph, G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei, CB Isas Waxter, TE Thomas Yassmin
New York Giants
- DL Marlon Tuipulota
Pittsburgh Steelers
Falcons, Giants, Titans Believed To Be Early John Harbaugh Leaders; Latest On Browns, Dolphins’ Pursuits
JANUARY 13: It appears the Titans should not be dropped to the second tier of the Harbaugh sweepstakes. Tennessee is believed to join Atlanta and New York as a frontrunner here at this point in the process, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. The Titans are conducting a thorough search, but Harbaugh’s name has shot toward the top of the list as Borgonzi prepares to make his first HC hire.
JANUARY 12: John Harbaugh interviews are expected to begin this week. The Giants look to be pushing the hardest among this lot of suitors, and the sides are on track to huddle up soon. But other teams are still in this race.
As of Monday, it is believed the Falcons join the Giants as the early leaders for the 18-year veteran HC, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. This is a sentiment shared around the coaching market, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, who indicates the current expectation points to Harbaugh ending up in Atlanta or New York.
[RELATED: Chris Mara, Harbaugh Complete Informal Meeting]
The Dolphins and Titans, however, are still believed to be in the race, SI.com’s Albert Breer offers. Miami and Tennessee are still likely to have a “real shot” to pitch their jobs to the coveted candidate. Harbaugh is believed to have spent the weekend making preparations to assemble a coaching staff, Breer adds.
We heard over the weekend the Dolphins’ decision to hire Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM may steer them away from Harbaugh, and the Miami opening may not be especially desirable among top HC candidates.
The Titans are coming off a second consecutive 3-14 season, but they do have Cam Ward in place and the NFL’s second-most cap space. Though, the AFC South did show significant improvement this season — after being mostly dormant for many years. The Titans should be viewed as the third-place team for Harbaugh right now, Jones adds, but Ward and the lofty cap-space figure have presented some intrigue for Harbaugh, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. High draft choices and the Titans moving toward a new stadium are also factors here, Garafolo adds, noting GM Mike Borgonzi‘s presence is viewed as a plus early.
The NFC South, however, has been the NFL’s worst division on the whole this decade. The Falcons were part of a three-way tie for first place at 8-9. They were believed to join the Giants in closely monitoring the Harbaugh situation before the Ravens fired him. Atlanta also does not look to be a rebuilding team, having some quality pieces at the skill positions, up front and, as of 2025, in the pass-rushing department. The divisional outlook also does not look particularly strong moving forward, creating an interesting opportunity.
Harbaugh is believed to want some roster say, according to Jones, but he is not aiming for full control. A high salary will be required, as should be expected with a candidate carrying Harbaugh’s credentials and suitor list, but Jones adds a $20MM-per-year number is not a requirement. That is viewed as at or near the top of the coaching market, where ex-Harbaugh mentor Andy Reid resides.
Giants co-owner Steve Tisch is believed to be the strongest Harbaugh proponent within the NFC East organization, according to Hughes, but team brass is fairly in agreement this should be the way to play it. The Giants have not succeeded, for the most part, with first-timers since Tom Coughlin‘s ouster. Pat Shurmur had experience, a two-year Browns run, but was not in the same league as Harbaugh. A Harbaugh hiring would remind of the 2004 Coughlin pickup, though the latter was not nearly as experienced as Harbaugh when he landed the New York job.
In addition to Harbaugh being intrigued by Jaxson Dart, the coaching free agent is believed to value the Giants’ history. A storied franchise in the pre-Super Bowl era and one that has four Super Bowl titles, the Giants have fallen on hard times over the past decade and change. Even though New York won Super Bowl XLVI, it has not booked back-to-back playoff berths since the 2007-08 seasons. Harbaugh, 63, would have a chance to restore the Giants as a contending operation. That could appeal to a coach whose Baltimore tenure had run its course.
While the Browns are aiming to interview Harbaugh, Breer leaves them off the upper echelon of pursuers here. Though, Jones confirms a recent report that indicates mutual interest does exist. It will be tough for the Browns to lure Harbaugh or a comparable candidate, given ownership’s rocky history and Deshaun Watson‘s contract still on the books. The Browns, who will almost definitely roster Watson in 2026 and be on the hook for his megadeal in 2027 thanks to void years-driven dead money, also do not have a great path to a quarterback in this year’s draft due to holding the No. 6 overall pick.
Jesse Minter Receives HC Interview Request From Cardinals, Falcons, Dolphins, Giants
In the early stages of the head coaching hiring cycle, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was confirmed as one of the top candidates on the market. Interest in his case now runs the gamut of HC-needy teams. 
Minter has received an interview request from the Cardinals, Falcons, Dolphins and Giants, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. He had already received a slip from each of the other four teams currently seeking a head coach. As such, Minter is officially a candidate for every current opening in the NFL.
An interview will take place with Arizona today, per Breer. Minter will be busy on that front over the coming days, especially if he accepts all eight requests. With the Chargers’ season now over, his attention will turn to the possibility of a first career head coaching opportunity being offered in the near future.
The Cardinals have already met with several former NFL head coaches in their search for Jonathan Gannon‘s replacement. Arizona has also been connected to less experienced staffers like Klint Kubiak and Chris Shula, however. This Minter news thus comes as little surprise.
Atlanta’s first major piece of business was taken care of recently with Matt Ryan being hired as the team’s president of football operations. Attention will now turn to the Falcons’ head coach and general manager vacancies. It remains to be seen which of those will be filled first, but in recent years many NFL teams have brought in both members of a new HC-GM combination in quick succession.
Mike McDaniel appeared to be safe early last week, but his tenure in Miami ultimately came to an end. That has left the Dolphins as one of the teams in need of a new head coach, although their vacancy is not considered to be among the more attractive ones on the market. Adding Minter would give Miami a defense-oriented head coach for the first time since McDaniel’s predecessor, Brian Flores, was in place.
Like the Falcons, the Giants are seen as a frontrunner to land John Harbaugh. Other, more established coaches would represent a logical fallback option in the event the longtime Ravens HC heads elsewhere. Still, Minter’s inclusion on the list of targets for New York helps illustrate how widespread the interest is in his case.
After winning a national championship at Michigan in 2023, Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers. The Bolts have gone one-and-done in the playoffs both years with those two in place, but strong defensive play has largely been prevalent over that span. Minter, 42, remains one of the most sought-after candidates with a defensive background in particular. His interview schedule over the coming days will be worth following closely.
Lions To Interview Mike Kafka For OC Job
The market for Mike Kafka is heating up. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Giants interim head coach will interview for the Lions offensive coordinator job on Wednesday.
We heard earlier tonight that Kafka was set to meet with the Buccaneers for the same role. The 38-year-old met with the Giants last week about a promotion to full-time head coach. As the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to spin, he could receive more interest. Teams that were eliminated from the playoffs may make staff changes this week, and others that lose offensive coordinators to head coaching jobs could call Kafka, too.
His results with the Giants are not encouraging, but those struggles were mitigating by a lack of talent on the roster. His past success as the Chiefs’ passing game coordinator could be a better indicator of his abilities with a stronger set of playmakers and a more reliable quarterback.
The Lions have both of those in Detroit already. Jared Goff may not be at the same level as Patrick Mahomes, but he flourished under the team’s last offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. His successor, John Morton, was not able to capture the same magic, leading head coach Dan Campbell to take on play-calling duties midway through the season. That was a sign that Morton was unlikely to remain in his job for 2026, and Campbell indeed relieved him of his duties after the regular season.
Kafka would not be asked to focus on developing a young quarterback as he was in New York. Instead, his job will be to take the talented pieces already populating the Lions offense and reform the unit into one of the league’s best.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.
Bucs To Interview Mike Kafka For OC Job
The Buccaneers are set to interview Mike Kafka for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
Kafka, 38, has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator for the last four years. He was also named interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired in November. Under Kafka, New York’s offense has never ranked higher than 13th in points or 15th in yards with bottom-five finishes in both categories in 2022 and 2023. He was working with a weak offensive roster, especially at quarterback, but at the same time, part of his task was developing that roster.
Kafka previously spent five years in Kansas City, including four seasons as the quarterbacks coach. In 2020, he added pass game coordinator to his title. The Chiefs offense was consistently one of the best in the NFL during his tenure, which featured the ascent of Patrick Mahomes into one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport. While Mahomes’ pure talent and Andy Reid‘s influence are largely credited for the unit’s success, Kafka seems to have been a key factor, too. After his departure in 2022, the Chiefs had one more season as the best offense in the NFL before falling to the middle of the league in the last three years.
In Tampa Bay, Kafka would be working with a more talented offense with improvement over the Giants’ players at nearly every position. The Buccaneers clearly felt that Josh Grizzard did not get enough out of the unit this past season and may be seeking a more experienced option. Kafka also has a connection to the franchise: during his playing career, he served as Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback for the 2014 season.
The Buccaneers are also looking for a replacement for special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who was fired along with Grizzard after the regular season. Lions assistant special teams coordinator Jett Modkins interviewed for the job on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tampa Bay’s 60.6 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) was the third-lowest in the NFL this season, though their average starting field position ranked 12th. In contrast, the Lions have consistently fielded one of the top-graded special teams units in the NFL. Their 90.5 grade was the league’s sixth-best in 2025, and their average starting field position ranked fifth.
The two interviews are part of the Buccaneers’ major offseason staff shake-up after another disappointing end to their season. Head coach Todd Bowles is clearly willing to make some changes after a 35-33 record and one playoff win in the last four years.
Giants’ Chris Mara Had Informal Meeting With John Harbaugh
The Giants and Falcons have emerged as the frontrunners in the John Harbaugh sweepstakes. While the Falcons were quick to announce this evening that they completed an interview with the head coaching candidate, the Giants are also making it clear that they’re aggressively pursuing the former Super Bowl winner.
[RELATED: Falcons Meet With John Harbaugh]
Giants executive Chris Mara told Ian O’Connor of The Athletic that he met for lunch with Harbaugh yesterday and had an “informal meeting” at the coach’s house. O’Connor adds that sources from both the organization and the coach have made it clear that Harbaugh “remains very interested in the Giants job.”
This in-person meeting follows a 30-minute conversation between Harbaugh and Giants GM Joe Schoen last week, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan echoes that Schoen spoke with Harbaugh about the Giants head coaching job.
Depending on who you ask, this may have been the first sit-down that Harbaugh’s had with a potential suitor. While the Falcons themselves reported today that they definitively interviewed Harbaugh, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post says their “interview” was merely a “phone conversation.” In fact, Schwartz compared the conversation to the calls Harbaugh has fielded from other potential suitors. The reporter adds that the Giants will have a formal sit-down with Harbaugh later this week or early next week.
While it may be semantics, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network’s categorizes Harbaugh’s meeting with the Falcons today as a “virtual” conversation, which included Matt Ryan and other Atlanta execs who have been involved in the search. This would seemingly qualify as an official interview, although the Giants may have an issue with that positioning.
If there’s any takeaway, the Giants clearly want us know that they’re serious about their Harbaugh pursuit. On the flip side, we’re plenty aware that the court of public opinion will have no bearing on where the coach lands, no matter how hard the Giants may try.
Kevin Stefanski Seen As Second HC Choice For Giants, Falcons; Dolphins Interview Expected
A long list of John Harbaugh suitors exists with eight head coaching openings around the NFL. It would come as little surprise if the Super Bowl winner were to be the first domino to fall in this year’s hiring cycle. 
The Giants and Falcons are seen as the frontrunners for Harbaugh, though other suitors are in play as well. Earlier today, it was learned his first interview was completed with Atlanta. Both teams have Harbaugh atop their wishlists, but they also seem to share a backup plan.
Kevin Stefanski is seen among coaching candidates as Plan B for the Giants and Falcons, Connor Hughes of SNY reports. Whichever team is unable to hire Harbaugh is expected to turn its attention to Stefanski as a result. Of course, there are other potential landing spots in Stefanski’s case as well.
The former Browns HC was viewed by many as the top candidate on the market prior to Harbaugh’s dismissal. Stefanski would still represent an accomplished hire regardless of how the coaching landscape shakes out over the coming weeks. A two-time Coach of the Year winner, he would offer experience and a potential play-caller to any new team.
The Giants moved on from Brian Daboll midway through the 2025 season. General manager Joe Schoen is still in place, but finding early success with the team’s next head coaching hire will no doubt be critical with respect to his job security. Stefanski, 43, has already interviewed with the Giants and has recently been named as a candidate to watch closely regarding their opening.
Having moved on from Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot, the Falcons are the only team in the NFL with a vacancy at the head coach and general manager positions. Atlanta has brought in Matt Ryan as president of football operations, and with that hire having taken place the team will proceed on the other two fronts. The Falcons’ interest in Harbaugh speaks to their desire for a veteran staffer, so Stefanski represents a logical fallback option.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are among the teams which have also been connected to Stefanski.No meeting has taken place between team and coach yet, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports one is expected in this case. As a coach who is not under contract, Stefanski is free to interview with suitors and accept a position at any time.