John Harbaugh is going to sign a five-year contract worth almost $100million to become the new head coach of the New York Giants.
It was announced overnight on Wednesday that the Giants had won the race to sign the most impressive candidate currently available in the NFL after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, he will once again be one of the best-paid coaches in the league as he aims to turn the ailing franchise around.
Sportico reported in September that Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is the best-paid coach in the NFL, earning $20m per season.
Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos is just behind with $18m-a-year before Harbaugh took third when he earned $17m per season in Baltimore. Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, takes home $16m-a-year with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harbaugh, 63, interviewed in person with the Giants on Wednesday, spending hours at the team facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He was flown in on the private jet of part-owner Steve Tisch.
John Harbaugh is going to sign a five-year contract worth nearly $100million with the Giants
Harbaugh will work with one of the NFL’s most exciting young quarterbacks in Jaxson Dart
They also have one of the most promising wide receivers in the NFL in Malik Nabers
The Super Bowl-winning former coach of the Ravens was believed to be New York’s top candidate in the search for Brian Daboll’s full-time successor.
Fired by the Ravens after missing the playoffs on a missed field goal attempt at the buzzer in the season finale, Harbaugh is on track to pick the Giants over other possible landing spots, including Tennessee and Atlanta.
The Ravens made the playoffs 12 times during 18 seasons with Harbaugh in charge and won the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, a year after the Giants’ most recent championship.
General manager Joe Schoen, who’s back for a fifth season running the football operations department, said he would cast a wide net in the coaching search.
Interviewing Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirements for minority or female candidates, and Harbaugh’s visit to northern New Jersey paved the way to make a hire before any of the more than half-dozen teams with a vacancy.
Young Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, one of the biggest draws for New York coming off his impressive rookie season, was reportedly involved in meetings with Harbaugh.
Dart threw for 15 touchdowns and ran for nine more in 12 starts. He forms the heart of a youthful offense that also includes wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo.
The Giants are coming off a 4-13 season that cost coach Daboll his job 10 weeks into the season. He was replaced on an interim basis by offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who went just 2-5.
