It’s not very often that someone can get fired from their job and then immediately get a huge raise by their next employer.
But when you’re as in-demand as former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, it’s no surprised he’s cashing in.
After being fired by Baltimore following a Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that eliminated the team from the playoffs, Harbaugh reportedly is now finalizing a deal to become the head coach of the New York Giants.
The New York Post first reported the tentative agreement Wednesday night, after Harbaugh had an extensive interview with the team.
On Thursday, it was reported by NFL Network that Harbaugh will be making “upwards of US$20 million per season” on a five-year contract – a nice raise on the $17 million he had been making with the Ravens.
The reported deal will make Harbaugh one of, if not the highest, paid coaches in NFL history.
Who are the highest-paid coaches?
According to Sportico, Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid is the current highest-earning coach in the NFL at $20 million per year while Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos brings in $18 million.
Harbaugh had been third on the list, just ahead of Mike Tomlin ($16M) – who also was fired after being eliminated from contention this year.
While the deal is not official, the Giants hinted at the move on social media with a wry-faced emoji.
According to the Post, Harbaugh and Giants brass spent the day together on Wednesday, discussing job details over dinner at Elia Mediterranean Restaurant in East Rutherford, NJ.
The coach also met with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart at the team’s facility.
New York fired head coach Brian Daboll midway through his fourth season running the team. Mike Kafka took over on an interim basis as the Giants struggled to a 4-13 record.
The team does have some promising pieces, including Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers and pass rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns, but hasn’t made the playoffs since 2022.
What is Harbaugh’s coaching record?
Harbaugh, 63, coached 18 years in Baltimore with a record of 180-113 for a winning percentage of .614. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl in 2012 and was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2019. He ranks 14th all time in NFL coaching wins.
He had made the playoffs in the previous three seasons, though each of the past four years have ended in devastating fashion.