John Harbaugh has four demands that “four definite candidates” must meet to hire him as head coach

John Harbaugh is a man in demand after being fired by the Baltimore Ravens less than 10 months after agreeing to a three-year contract extension through the 2028 season.

After 18 years, 12 postseason runs, six division titles and one Super Bowl, Harbaugh was finally relieved of his duties after the Ravens finished the 2025 regular season with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs for just the second time since 2017.

One kick decided Harbaugh’s fate

The fine margins proved costly for Harbaugh, who would almost certainly have kept his job had rookie kicker Tyler Loop not missed a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh reached the postseason at Baltimore’s expense.

The 63-year-old was fired two days later, on Jan. 6, and he has not been the only one. No fewer than eight head coaches have been fired since the end of the regular season, leaving plenty of teams in search of a new leader.

Which NFL team will John Harbaugh coach next?

Harbaugh’s agent claimed seven teams contacted him within 45 minutes of his client being fired, a list that has since reportedly been narrowed down.

“I think there are four definite candidates for Harbaugh to end up with,” Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland said. “Cleveland now is, I think, fourth. The Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, and the Atlanta Falcons.”

Another team may also be entering the mix. A separate source told the Daily Mail that the Las Vegas Raiders, who fired Pete Carroll after a 3-14 season, are looking to bring Harbaugh in “immediately.” Minority owner Tom Brady is expected to play a major role in hiring the franchise’s next head coach.

Harbaugh’s four coaching demands

Whoever manages to secure Harbaugh’s services will need to meet his demands, according to Grossi. The Cleveland-based reporter revealed via an NFL source that the veteran coach has four conditions that must be met before he takes on a new role:

• A salary of $20 million
• A $10 million budget for assistant coaches
• “Total authority over the roster”
• The ability to select his own general manager

A $20 million annual salary would make Harbaugh the NFL’s highest-paid head coach, tying him with Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Harbaugh earned $17 million with the Ravens in the 2025 season but now appears to be seeking a raise along with full control of his next situation.

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