The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons are seen as the top teams chasing former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Many around the league believe these two teams are leading the race right now.
According to CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones, the Titans and Browns are also interested. But they are not viewed as the main favorites at this point.
The Green Bay Packers were mentioned as a possible surprise contender. The reason is simple. They have a young and talented roster. They also already have a franchise quarterback. The team is built to win now. That kind of situation could attract a coach like Harbaugh.
There is also a personal link. Harbaugh’s agent is Bryan Harlan. He is the son of former Packers president Bob Harlan. That connection has raised some eyebrows around the league.
Still, there is a big hurdle. The Packers would need to fire head coach Matt LaFleur to make room for Harbaugh. That seemed more possible after Green Bay collapsed in the playoffs against the Chicago Bears.
But that window may already be closing. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Packers are expected to work on a contract extension for LaFleur. If that happens, Green Bay would likely stay out of the head coaching market.
An extension would not fully guarantee LaFleur’s future beyond 2026. But it does suggest the team wants to keep him. That makes it less likely the Packers will pursue a new head coach.
For the Giants and Falcons, this is good news. The competition for Harbaugh is already strong. A playoff team like Green Bay entering the race would make things much harder.
For now, it appears unlikely that the Packers will make a serious push. That leaves the Giants and Falcons in strong position as the chase for Harbaugh continues.
