The New York Giants remain in the pole position in the John Harbaugh Sweepstakes, but they do have at least two strong challengers nipping at their heels.
Most reports, including this one from Ian O’Connor and Dianna Russini of The Athletic, indicate that the Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans are the top three teams on Harbaugh’s list of preferred destinations.
Harbaugh, fired after 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, is the big prize in this year’s head coach hiring cycle. He
has reportedly heard from every team with an opening, and some without one.
Long-time NFL columnist Gary Myers reported that Harbaugh plans to meet with the Giants, Falcons, and Titans “by the end of the weekend.” ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan reported similarly that “it’s not out of the question that Harbaugh visits all three teams by the end of the week.”
O’Connor put the Harbaugh Leaderboard into golf terms:
The Giants have been extremely aggressive in their pursuit of Harbaugh. GM Joe Schoen has reportedly been in constant contact with Harbaugh’s representatives. Chris Mara had lunch with Harbaugh. Per The Athletic, John Mara, battling cancer, still made the effort to contact Harbaugh’s camp. Also per The Athletic, former Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and even former head coach Brian Daboll, have been in touch with Harbaugh to vouch for the organization.
