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Veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg believes John Harbaugh’s recent availability as an NFL head coach is comparable to that of Bill Belichick.
Steinberg told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview that Harbaugh is by far the best candidate for the eight teams currently with head coaching vacancies.
“He’s going to be the hottest free agent coach in years,” Steinberg said. “He’s the perfect rookie for several teams this year, which will give him a lot of leverage.”
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens watches 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 article Wednesday, writing, “HIRING JOHN HARBAUGH, QUICKLY.”
Steinberg revealed how he thought Trump’s support 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’s a positive. But like I said before, I don’t think a coach has had this much leverage and options in years.”
With Harbaugh necessarily the most accomplished coach in the cycle and eight teams looking to hire, one game in particular stands out to Steinberg.
“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, particularly because of the emergence of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
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“To win in contemporary football, you have to have a franchise quarterback,” Steinberg said. “It’s impossible to win consistently in the NFL without that franchise quarterback. So that would be at the top of my list.”
The Giants were the favorite to hire Harbaugh at least until Thursday morning. However, once the Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday, Harbaugh quickly became the favorite to be the Dolphins’ next coach, according to Kalshi.
Harbaugh’s decision between the Giants and Dolphins will depend on the chemistry that occurs in future interviews and which franchise the coach believes will provide the most synergy and support.
“That’s the chemistry that will happen in these interviews,” Steinberg said. “If it is limited to a few [options] so I’m sure a coach will look for that chemistry, that mingling of minds, that shared vision and the feeling that they’re coming into a supported space.
Harbaugh just completed an 18-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens that included a victory in Super Bowl XLVII, 12 playoff appearances, four AFC championship games, six division titles, the most wins in franchise history (over 193 total, 180 in the regular season) and just three losing seasons in 18 years.
Yet Harbaugh is now fired as a head coach for the first time in his career and is navigating these waters as a first-time fired head coach.
Steinberg’s analysis of the fired Harbaugh comes at a time when Steinberg himself is publishing a book about bouncing back from tough times in life and career.
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks the field before 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, we will experience a setback at some point…there will be some sort of accident where someone loses the meaning of their life in darkness and despair,” Steinberg said.
The book, titled “The Comeback,” will be published on March 3.
