How John Harbaugh Froze the 2026 NFL Coaching Carousel

Most years, the NFL’s coaching carousel has already been running and made a stop or two by now.

But this winter, it appears nobody is going anywhere until John Harbaugh drops his tokens in the slot. Until that moment, it would seem the others won’t even be seated.

Harbaugh, the former Baltimore Ravens coach, is considered the top prize available.

Before surprisingly being dismissed last week, Harbaugh had guided the Ravens for 18 seasons, posting winning records in all but three. He won six division titles, made four AFC championship game appearances and won the Super Bowl in 2013 — beating the San Francisco 49ers coached by his younger brother Jim.

Harbaugh’s agent, Bryan Harlan, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter he had fielded calls from seven teams within 45 minutes of Harbaugh being let go last Tuesday. Considering Harbaugh was the seventh coach dismissed — Miami’s Mike McDaniel was No. 8 on Thursday — that means one of those calls came from a team that hadn’t yet fired their coach.

Harbaugh said he wanted to put off all interviews until this week, which is why the carousel ground to a halt. 

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Harbaugh had preliminary discussions with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans — every team other than Baltimore that has an opening — and would start to whittle down his list. He reportedly had lunch with Giants executive Chris Mara on Sunday and a phone interview with Matt Ryan, who is now running the Falcons, on Monday.

There’s a chance Harbaugh’s list of suitors could get longer. After first-round playoff exits, there was chatter in Green Bay, Pittsburgh and even Philadelphia that Harbaugh could be on the way if those teams decided to make a change.

“John Harbaugh's the best coach I know, the best coach I've ever seen,” Jim Harbaugh, now the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, told NFL.com. “I'm his brother, so I might be biased.”

Jim Harbaugh is 0-3 against his sibling, including that Super Bowl.

“He'll be attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind the next opportunity,” Jim Harbaugh said. “As I told him, whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable. Just hope it's in the NFC.”

It would seem doubtful Harbaugh would be interested in Arizona, Las Vegas and Tennessee, as at age 63 he probably isn’t looking to undertake a major rebuilding project. All three of those teams went 3-14 this season. Plus, the Raiders’ job would put him in the same division as his brother.

As one would expect of teams who just jettisoned their coaches, the rest of the franchises with openings all have some question marks.

The Giants (4-13) weren’t much better, but have some potential foundational players in QB Jaxson Dart, WR Malik Nabers and left tackle Andrew Thomas.

The Falcons (8-9) tied for first in the NFC South, boast running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London and a handful of quality young defensive players.

The Browns (5-12) have sack artist Myles Garrett and two first-round picks, but a mess at quarterback.

The Dolphins (7-10) haven’t won a playoff game in 25 years, are $23 million over the cap and also have questions at QB.

Ex-Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, former Falcons coach Raheem Morris and McDaniel might also be in line to lead teams again next season.

When the NFL’s coaching carousel gets cranked up, of course.