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John Harbaugh Leaves New York Without Deal; Titans Set For Tomorrow

By | at January 14, 2026 10:30 pm

10:30pm: Hours after Harbaugh departed from New York with intentions of meeting with the Titans in Baltimore tomorrow morning, Paul Schwartz of The New York Post reports that “all signs point to John Harbaugh becoming the next head coach of the Giants.” No official reports from either party have indicated that Schwartz’s report is accurate, but it appears the first big domino of the head coach hiring cycle could be falling fairly soon. Hughes of SportsNet New York expects a decision to be made by the end of the weekend.

9:03pm: Former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh met with the Giants today, and despite the team’s best efforts, he went home without having signed a contract. New York doesn’t seem too discouraged, though, as the general media takeaway is that it was a very good visit, and it would’ve been a shock to see Harbaugh deviate from his established plan to meet with multiple teams. Instead, we’ll see Harbaugh do just that, as he is set to meet with the Titans tomorrow, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

According to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, the team flew Harbaugh out to New Jersey on team co-owner Steve Tisch‘s private plane early this morning. After touching down, Harbaugh was given a tour of the facility where he spent over five hours meeting with Tisch and fellow co-owner John Mara, as well as general manager Joe Schoen and other members of the team’s front office. And it was a good thing Harbaugh had done his homework on rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, because he got to meet the 22-year-old as part of the team’s all-out pitch.

Vacchiano also mentions that the team made it clear they were willing to offer him “almost anything he wants.” As a franchise, they made the decision to make the most of their shot by “going for broke.” Their intentions were to convince Harbaugh that the Giants are the best franchise for him, with Schoen assuring him that he’s willing to cede some power for personnel decision-making over the potential head coach. Additionally, Harbaugh spent time on the phone with “several prominent Giants alumni,” including former quarterback Eli Manning and former head coach Tom Coughlin. Even Brian Daboll, who was the one that vacated the seat Harbaugh is now vying for, called Harbaugh and “raved about his experience in the organization.”

The Giants made it known that while Harbaugh’s demands have been “significant,” they “don’t seem to be too extensive.” In fact, they metaphorically pulled out the check book tonight to let him know that they are willing to meet his asking price and even shell out for a top-quality staff beneath him. Per Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York, the team made “a massive push” to try and get a deal with Harbaugh done today. The plot thickened as the evening wore on and Harbaugh’s ride home remained parked in New Jersey as the Giants blitzed Harbaugh in an attempt to land a signature before he left. Ultimately, Harbaugh’s plane did depart for Baltimore, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, as the free agent left without committing.

Harbaugh spurning the Giants’ best efforts doesn’t necessarily reflect badly on New York. As Mike Garafolo of NFL Network pointed out, Harbaugh’s insistence on meeting with multiple teams was always a part of his plan and is just the process playing out. Now Tennessee decision-makers will fly out tomorrow morning to meet Harbaugh on his turf, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor disclosed his understanding that New York could be the only team facility that Harbaugh intends to visit, with the remaining meetings set to happen at his home in Baltimore. O’Connor’s colleague at The Athletic, Dan Duggan, posited that it’s hard “to imagine taking a job like this without stepping foot in the building,” so New York’s ability to get him onsite may already put them at a huge advantage.

Regardless, Harbaugh will continue his process with the Titans tomorrow in Baltimore. As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated points out, even before today, Harbaugh has been extremely thorough in vetting the current openings, and he has all the leverage at the moment that allows him to be patient. As for the Giants, they’ve been understanding of his process, and despite the fact that he left today without a contract, NFL insider Jordan Schultz claims “there’s no panic” in the building.

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John Harbaugh Planning In-Person Falcons, Titans Interviews

By | at January 14, 2026 11:28 am

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. in 2024. 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 Falcons 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.

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.

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Giants To Meet With John Harbaugh

By | at January 14, 2026 9:06 am

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.

4 comments Atlanta Falcons New York Giants Tennessee Titans

Falcons, Giants, Titans Believed To Be Early John Harbaugh Leaders; Latest On Browns, Dolphins’ Pursuits

By | at January 13, 2026 4:33 pm

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.

21 comments Atlanta Falcons Cleveland Browns Miami Dolphins New York Giants Tennessee Titans

Titans To Conduct HC Interview With Brian Daboll

By | at January 13, 2026 9:01 am

Brian Daboll is among the top candidates for an offensive coordinator gig during the 2026 hiring cycle. He will receive at least one look from a team in need of a new head coach, however.

The Titans have arranged a HC interview with Daboll, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The sides will meet each other on Friday. This represents the first known head coaching interview in Daboll’s case.

The 50-year-old saw his tenure with the Giants come to an end midway through the 2025 campaign. Very little went according to plan for Daboll and Co. after New York’s surprising run to the divisional round during his first year in charge. The team posted a losing record in each of the two seasons following that initial success and sat at 2-8 when Daboll was dismissed. Overall, his Giants run produced a record of 20-40-1.

A head coaching hire at this point would thus come as a surprise. Still, Daboll’s stock was boosted in large part by his strong run as the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2018-21. He also has OC experience dating back to his time in Cleveland, Miami and Kansas City. The possibility of Daboll joining the Raiders alongside Brian Flores has been floated, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms Daboll is currently a candidate for “multiple” offensive coordinator positions.

The Titans tapped Brian Callahan as their Mike Vrabel replacement. Things did not work out as planned, and he joined Daboll as a head coach dismissed in the middle of the 2025 season. Tennessee is known to be seeking experience with the team’s next HC hire, something made abundantly clear by the list of candidates receiving interest. Daboll is the 23rd staffer to be connected at some level to the Titans’ opening and the 15th with head coaching experience at the NFL level.

In other Titans news, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports interviews with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Packers DC Jeff Hafley will take place today. Tennessee will then speak with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith tomorrow. All three of those coaches had previously received an interview request, but today’s update confirms they will be part of a long list of candidates to speak with the team about one of the NFL’s eight HC openings.

Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Titans:

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Titans Schedule Jonathan Gannon HC Interview; Gannon Books DC Meetings With Commanders, Cowboys

By | at January 12, 2026 4:28 pm

Jonathan Gannon could land on his feet soon. Following his ouster as Cardinals HC, the three-year leader has three interviews scheduled — one bringing an opportunity to stay on the HC tier.

The Titans are planning to meet with Gannon about their HC position Sunday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Prior to that, however, Gannon has two defensive coordinator meetings scheduled. He will meet with the Cowboys on Tuesday and Commanders on Thursday, Rapoport adds.

These NFC East gigs are rather interesting, seeing as Gannon trekked to Arizona after two seasons as the Eagles’ DC. The Cardinals position did not work out, and Gannon will consider heading back to the DC level. Having a head coaching interview set for days after the two DC meetings could throw a wrench into Gannon’s schedule, and a determination on how likely a Titans opportunity would be may need to be made with regards to potentially accepting a DC offer earlier.

Coming to Arizona after helming a top-tier Philadelphia defense, Gannon could not replicate that Eagles success with the Cardinals. The team struggled defensively this season, taking a step back from a 2024 season that appeared to feature a less talented unit. Gannon and Nick Rallis‘ defense ranked 29th in points and 27th in yardage. This came after the ’24 unit displayed improvement (15th, 21st) during an 8-9 season. Gannon’s third Arizona team tumbled to 3-14, and after some 11th-hour rumors the HC could keep his job, the team moved on while retaining Monti Ossenfort — hired along with Gannon in 2023 — as GM.

The Commanders have already made their move to replace Kliff Kingsbury, promoting David Blough to OC. That move came early, and it appeared it was partially made to keep Blough out of the Lions’ OC search. Washington has also interviewed two-year Tennessee DC Dennard Wilson for the job. Wilson coached with Gannon under Nick Sirianni in Philly from 2021-22, with a request sent to Raiders DC Patrick Graham.

The Cowboys attempted to schedule a Jeff Ulbrich interview, but the Falcons blocked it. Dallas has met with the Browns’ Ephraim Banda and Vikings’ Daronte Jones about the job. The team is looking for a leader on this side of the ball for a third straight offseason — after both Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus went one-and-done. The Eagles ranked 10th in scoring defense in 2021 and second in 2022, giving Gannon momentum he used to vault into the Cardinals’ HC chair.

With the Titans having two-plus months to plan their HC search, it is predictably wide-ranging. Gannon runs the count to 17 candidates who have either interviewed or received a request. This does not include John Harbaugh, whom the organization wants to interview. Gannon, 43, would be a dark-horse candidate to land a head coaching job after going 3-14. Even him having the chance to interview for one is notable, but that is on tap.

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Dolphins Contact John Harbaugh; Troy Aikman Assisting In HC Search

By | at January 12, 2026 4:17 pm

JANUARY 12: The Dolphins are not seen as a frontrunner for Harbaugh at this time, although Jackson reports further contact between the parties will take place. Whether or not Miami winds up as a finalist remains to be seen, but the team is among Harbaugh’s many suitors as things stands.

JANUARY 10: The Dolphins considered a trade for then-Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in 2019. No deal came together, though, and Harbaugh remained in Baltimore for the long haul. Seven years later, the Dolphins are in the market for a head coach again. With Harbaugh a free agent after the Ravens fired him this week, he’s back on Miami’s radar. The Dolphins contacted Harbaugh and informed him of their interest, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Dolphins became the seventh team to reach out to Harbaugh since he lost his job on Tuesday, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. That means every club without a head coach (excluding Baltimore, of course) has contacted Harbaugh. The Cardinals, Falcons, Browns, Raiders, Giants and Titans are also in the market.

The Giants, Dolphins, Titans and Falcons look like the most realistic fits for Harbaugh, Breer observes, but interest in the 63-year-old extends beyond clubs with head coach openings. Harbaugh has heard from “at least nine other teams,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.

Playoff participants such as Buffalo and Green Bay have come up as potential landing spots for Harbaugh. The Packers, however, seem likely to work out a contract extension with Matt LaFleur. That would rule out Harbaugh joining the Pack.

Harbaugh, who will begin interviewing next week, hasn’t booked anything with the Dolphins yet, Jackson reports. Considering the Harbaugh family has a “longtime relationship” with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him wind up as a front-runner for the position. However, a lack of clarity at quarterback could hurt the Dolphins’ cause.

Harbaugh enjoyed remarkable stability under center throughout his 18-year tenure in Baltimore, first with Joe Flacco and then Lamar Jackson. Thanks in large part to an incredible playoff run from Flacco, the Ravens capped off the 2012 season with a Super Bowl victory. The Ravens haven’t won a championship since then, but Jackson has been an elite QB who has twice earned MVP honors since his first full season in 2019.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to figure out how to proceed with Tua Tagovailoa. While Tagovailoa is open to a fresh start, he’s owed a guaranteed $54MM in 2026. Releasing Tagovailoa would cost the Dolphins a record $99.2 in dead money, though designating him a post-June 1 cut would enable to spread that total over two seasons. Still, it would be a less-than-ideal situation for Harbaugh or anyone else who may replace the ousted Mike McDaniel as the Dolphins’ next sideline leader.

Miami’s head coach hiring will come with input from Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who will stay on in an advisory role, Jackson relays. The Dolphins first brought the “Monday Night Football” broadcaster in to assist in a GM search that ended with Sullivan’s hiring. The team appreciated Aikman’s “diligence and effort” during the process, per Jackson. The former Cowboy will now have some say over the HC position, though Sullivan and Ross will lead the way.

In the event the Dolphins don’t hire Harbaugh, Jackson identifies Packers coordinators Jeff Hafley (defense) and Adam Stenavich (offense), former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, ex-Packers and Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and Jaguars D-coordinator Anthony Campanile as names to watch. Sullivan, who spent over two decades in Green Bay, has worked with Hafley, Stenavich and McCarthy. Campanile was Miami’s linebackers coach from 2020-23.

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More Details Emerge On John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Exit

By | at January 10, 2026 11:00 pm

This coming Tuesday, Ravens team owner Steve Bisciotti will meet with the media to do an interview with reporters for the first time in four years, per a report from The Athletic, featuring Dianna Russini, Jeff Zrebiec, and Ian O’Connor. The topic of discussion will center around his ultimate decision to dismiss John Harbaugh, the head coach of the past 18 seasons and only the third head coach in the franchise’s 30-year history.

Harbaugh’s tenure as the head coach in Baltimore came to an end following a loss in the team’s regular season finale that determined if the Ravens would have a winning record, win the AFC North, and make the playoffs in 2025. The following day, Harbaugh met early Monday morning with general manager Eric DeCosta, executive vice president (and former general manager) Ozzie Newsome, and team president Sashi Brown. The meeting was intended to be a discussion about Harbaugh’s vision for the team and staff moving forward, and though an “unsettled” feeling hung in the room, the thought was still that momentum was moving in the right direction for Harbaugh.

Following the meeting, Harbaugh led a final team meeting with 2025’s roster and roamed around the locker room as players cleaned out their lockers and said goodbyes for the offseason. Many of the players in the building reportedly expected some level of change at the assistant coach or coordinator level, but expectations were that Harbaugh would be returning.

The next day, Bisciotti reportedly began to meet with multiple players throughout the day to discuss their thoughts on Harbaugh and the direction of the team, with one player even reportedly meeting at Bisciotti’s house for the discussion. Like has been seen from differing reports between NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, even the players inside the building had different views of Harbaugh and his hold on the locker room, which perhaps speaks to his actual hold on the locker room.

There had been noticeable grumbling throughout the year about the coaching staff, most notably concerning Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Per a joint report from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and Jeremy Fowler, players showed particular discontent with Monken’s playcalling. Some disagreement on the team’s run/pass balance, targets for certain pass catchers, and star running back Derrick Henry‘s usage was heard throughout the year. Any vocalization of these issues likely rang loud in Bisciotti’s ear as Harbaugh appeared willing to run it all back with the coordinators returning to their roles next year.

The biggest point of concern, in terms of lack of connection, was Harbaugh and Monken’s connection to star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two sides respected and admired each other, as they would frequently support and defend each other to the media throughout the years, but they often appeared to be on different pages, with Harbaugh and Monken struggling to understand Jackson, who would reportedly internalize frustrations. With Bisciotti and players in the locker room looking to Jackson as one who holds the franchise’s future in his hands, the coaching duos inability to truly get on the same page with him proved detrimental.

Following his meetings with players Tuesday evening, Bisciotti called Harbaugh as the coach drove home for the day and informed him of his decision. A day was given to let emotions subside, then Harbaugh met with Bisciotti on Thursday to hear the owner’s explanation for his decision. An annual meeting after the season is the usual for Bisciotti and Harbaugh, but with the possibility of a full coaching search on the horizon, prompter action became a necessity.

Harbaugh is reportedly at peace with the decision and has moved on to search for new opportunities to be a head coach elsewhere. Upon his dismissal, he immediately became the top option for several teams looking to fill a vacancy, and though many have reached out to express interest, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Harbaugh will take the weekend to narrow down the interviews he will take to three or four teams.

In looking for clues on which teams may get a slice of his time, Russini notes that Harbaugh is spending today and the next few days watching film specifically on rookie quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward, while staying in communication with decision-makers from both the Giants and Titans along with members from his own most-recent coaching staff. This is a critical part of the evaluation of head coaching candidates for those teams, as Russini adds that one of the first three questions each team is asking candidates is what their plan is for the young passers.

Ever since he became available the Giants have made it known that Harbaugh at the top of their wish list, and the research he’s putting into Dart suggests he may have mutual interest. The Titans don’t have any obvious connection to Harbaugh, but general manager Mike Borgonzi shares an ex-coworker in Andy Reid with Harbaugh. Borgonzi and Harbaugh’s shared relationships with Reid may lend to familiarity in culture and approach. And if Harbaugh had any issues deciphering Jackson’s internalized frustrations, Ward has had no trouble being extremely vocal about his own. We’ll see if each team makes Harbaugh’s final three or four interviews and who may join them.

24 comments Baltimore Ravens New York Giants Tennessee Titans

Commanders Conduct DC Interview With Dennard Wilson

By | at January 10, 2026 9:17 pm

The Commanders have filled one of their coordinator positions, promoting David Blough to serve as Kliff Kingsbury‘s successor. Attention will increasingly turn to the defensive coordinator gig.

Washington moved on from Joe Whitt earlier this week in a move which came as little surprise. A DC change was foreshadowed when head coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling duties midway through the season. The team has already interviewed Joe Cullen as a potential Whitt replacement, and another candidate has emerged.

The Commanders completed an interview today with Dennard Wilson, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Wilson is currently in place with the Titans as their defensive coordinator. Tennessee’s head coaching position is currently vacant, however, so there is a strong chance of substantial staff changes once a hire on that front winds up being made.

Wilson’s coaching career started at Maryland. After two years spent there as a graduate assistant, he entered the NFL as a scout. Over time, Wilson worked his way up the coaching ranks during stints with the Rams, Jets, Eagles and Ravens. The 43-year-old was an internal candidate for Philadelphia’s D-coordinator gig after the 2022 season, but after not receiving the role he spent one season in Baltimore. That was followed by his first coordinator opportunity coming about in Tennessee.

The Titans struggled in terms of scoring defense in 2024, but the team did rank second in yards allowed. Wilson and Co. were not able to duplicate that success this season, though. Tennessee finished 21st in total defense and 28th in points allowed. Those figures could hinder Wilson’s stock to a degree, and it was recently learned he will not receive an interview for the Titans’ full-time head coaching position.

In situations such as this one, departures are commonplace. A change of scenery could be coming soon for Wilson as a result, and it will be interesting to see if he emerges as a finalist with the Commanders in their search.

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Titans Schedule Mike McDaniel HC Interview

By | at January 9, 2026 3:08 pm

Mike McDaniel is drawing extensive OC interest, but the recently fired Dolphins leader is not certain to fall past the HC level just yet. Browns interest in the four-year Dolphins coach has emerged, and the Titans will take it a step further by setting up an interview.

The Titans will meet with McDaniel about their HC job Wednesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. McDaniel is generating “significant” interest, so it will be interesting to see how many HC interviews he books. This is McDaniel’s first scheduled HC interview since the firing.

Tennessee’s search is already wide-ranging, as the AFC South team has been without a full-time HC since October. McDaniel is the 10th former head coach to receive a Titans interview slip thus far. With other candidates in the mix as well, this search is starting to remind of the Jets’ exhausting 2025 process. GM Mike Borgonzi was part of that search as a candidate, and with full roster control now, the second-year Titans exec is operating similarly as he looks to make his first HC hire.

We heard before the Titans’ season ended the team would prioritize experience. The Titans missed on Brian Callahan, firing the former Bengals OC after just 23 games, but hit on Mike Vrabel. The latter did not have HC experience, either. The team gave Mike Mularkey a third HC opportunity previously; that came after retread Ken Whisenhunt did not make it out of a second season in the role. While first-timers are present on Tennessee’s interview docket, signs are pointing to a second- or third-chance HC being the pick.

Borgonzi has an extensive history with Matt Nagy, who has been a candidate since this process started. Nagy is a former play-caller who has settled back into a non-play-calling role in Kansas City. The two-time Chiefs OC and former Bears HC likely will be a finalist for this job given his ties to Borgonzi, but McDaniel called plays throughout his time in Miami.

That included two upper-crust offenses, despite the ex-49ers OC inheriting a quarterback the previous coaching staff could not unleash. Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in yards per attempt in 2022, passing yards in 2023 and completion percentage in 2024. McDaniel played a central role in the former top-five pick taking off, though he later benched him weeks before his own dismissal. The Titans have their own holdover quarterback whose development represents the top organizational priority, as Cam Ward finished last in QBR as a rookie but will obviously go into the 2026 season as the starter.

McDaniel, 42, will likely receive multiple OC offers, per veteran insider Jordan Schultz. The Lions reached out hours after his Dolphins ouster. The Browns have lurked as an interested party since before season’s end. Considering Kevin Stefanski‘s background under Gary Kubiak, it would be quite interesting for the Browns to pivot to an ex-Kyle Shanahan disciple. But McDaniel has been on their radar for a bit. An interview should be expected. Despite the Dolphins briefly including McDaniel in their GM search only to fire him soon after, the two-time playoff qualifier looks set to land on his feet.

Here is how the Titans’ HC search looks as of Friday afternoon:

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