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Veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg believes John Harbaugh’s recent availability as an NFL head coach is comparable to Bill Belichick’s.
Steinberg told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview that Harbaugh is far and away the best candidate for all eight teams currently with head coaching vacancies.
“He’s going to be the hottest free agent coach for years,” Steinberg said. “He’s the quintessential perfect hire for multiple teams this year, which will give him plenty of leverage.”
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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks on during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on October 2, 2022. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump even endorsed Harbaugh in a Truth Social post Wednesday, writing, “HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST.”
Steinberg revealed how he believes Trump’s endorsement could affect demand for Harbaugh’s services.
“I don’t really think so,” Steinberg said when asked if Trump’s comments would increase Harbaugh’s market value. “It’s pretty flattering to have the president of the United States as a fan, so that part is positive. But like I said before, I don’t think a coach has had this much influence and opportunity in years.”
With Harbaugh the most skilled coach in the cycle and eight teams looking to hire, Steinberg stands out for one game in particular.
“I don’t know why, but the New York Giants stand out to me,” Steinberg said.
The agent said the Giants are an intriguing destination, especially because of the emergence of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
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“To win in modern football, it’s necessary to have a franchise quarterback,” Steinberg said. “It’s impossible to win consistently in the NFL without that franchise quarterback. So that would be high on my list.”
The Giants were the odds-on favorite to hire Harbaugh until at least Thursday morning. But when the Miami Dolphins fired their head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday, Harbaugh quickly became the favorite to become the next Dolphins coach, according to Kalshi.
Whether Harbaugh decides between the Giants and Dolphins will depend on the chemistry that emerges in the upcoming interviews and which franchise the coach believes will provide the most synergy and support.
“It will be the chemistry that occurs in these interviews,” Steinberg said. “If it’s narrowed down to a couple [options] Then I’m sure a coach will look for that chemistry, that melding of minds, that shared vision and to have a sense that he’s going to come into a supported space.”
Harbaugh is coming off an 18-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens that included a Super Bowl XLVII victory, 12 playoff appearances, four AFC Championship games, six division titles, the most wins in franchise history (over 193 total, 180 regular season) and just three losing seasons in 18 years.
Still, Harbaugh is now fired as a head coach for the first time in his career and is navigating these waters as a retired head coach for the first time.
Steinberg’s analysis of the fired Harbaugh comes at a time when Steinberg himself is publishing a book about coming back from low points in life and career.
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks onto the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“We all go through life. Inevitably, at some point we’re going to go through an inversion point … there’s going to be a breakdown of some kind where someone loses the arc of where their life is in darkness and desperation,” Steinberg said.
The book, entitled “The Comeback”, will be published on March 3.
