It didn’t take long for John Harbaugh to find a new job. After the Baltimore Ravens fired him on January 6, reports quickly surfaced that he was the most highly sought-after candidate. It seemed like every possible landing spot was interested in his services. On Wednesday evening, the NFL world learned that Harbaugh is in the midst of finalizing a deal to coach the New York Giants.
John Harbaugh and the Giants are working to finalize an agreement to make him New York’s next head coach and, barring a setback, a deal is expected, multiple sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026
The deal is not final and contract numbers still are being negotiated. “There still is a lot to work… pic.twitter.com/CQmSljImf9
Despite the reaction from most Ravens fans after his firing, Harbaugh remains a strong head coach. His time in Baltimore was clearly up, but there is no doubting his ability to lead a team and build a winning culture. He’ll have a chance to do that with the Giants, who already have some stability on their roster.
Still, the Giants finished with a record of 4-13 in 2025, and there are countless holes in their roster. With Harbaugh now in the building, they could look to bring in some former Ravens to fill in those cracks. One key player who the Ravens became more vulnerable to losing is three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
Ravens’ Tyler Linderbaum likely just became a major target for the Giants
Obviously, the ball is still in the Ravens’ court when it comes to Linderbaum. Outside of Lamar Jackson’s pending extension, Linderbaum is their top priority. The front office will do everything in its power to retain him before free agency kicks off on March 11.
While most star players would get franchise tagged if they cannot reach an agreement on a new contract, Linderbaum’s case may be a little different. Offensive linemen are set to earn just over $27 million on their franchise tags this offseason. That is simply not a figure that Baltimore can afford, making the urgency to get contract talks sorted even more crucial.
If Linderbaum does hit free agency, he’ll immediately become one of the most coveted players available. In that case, the eventual bidding war that would ensue would more than likely make Linderbaum the highest-paid center in football, and the Giants have plenty of reason to offer the most expensive bid.
Not only did New York bring in Linderbaum’s former coach, but they also appear to have a pressing need for a center. Sure, former second-round selection John Michael Schmitz is coming off just his third season, but he has struggled to adjust to the NFL level thus far. Linderbaum would be an instant improvement and would play a significant role in blocking for one of the most exciting young duos in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
Looking at how it could play out if Linderbaum hits free agency, the Ravens cannot let Linderbaum get that chance to negotiate with other teams. The homegrown star needs to stay in Charm City, and a deal must get done soon.