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The Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants are reportedly believed to be the two favorites to hire former Super Bowl champion John Harbuagh, "with the loser of those sweepstakes landing [former Cleveland Browns head coach] Kevin Stefanski, SNY's Connor Hughes reported on Monday (January 12).
Hughes, who covers the Giants and New York Jets, said the Miami Dolphins also" have Harbaugh interest, too." Harbaugh, 63, who was fired by the Baltimore Ravens last Tuesday (January 6), was initially reported "as a favorite for the head coaching job for the New York Giants" immediately after his firing, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
Harbaugh was also the betting favorite to land the Giants job at -150 odds, followed by Stefanski, who was fired by the Cleveland Browns on Monday (January 5), at +200 odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Harbaugh is the longest-tenured and winningest head coach in Ravens history with a 180-113 record in 18 seasons, which includes winning Super Bowl LXVII and the 2019 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award, as well as recording an NFL record eight road playoff wins among an 13-11 postseason record. The Ravens were, however, preseason betting favorites to win the Super Bowl and instead went 8-9, missing the playoffs by losing their final regular season game to the AFC North Division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as going 3-6 at M&T Bank Stadium, their worst home record in franchise history.
Stefanski was a two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023, leading the Browns to their only two playoff appearances since 2002 and only postseason win since 1994, but finished with double-digit losses for the third time in four seasons in 2025. The 43-year-old went 45-56 during six seasons with the Browns, which makes him the winningest-coach since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999 and tied with the late Marty Schottenheimer for fourth all-time in franchise history.
The Browns finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record following Sunday's (January 4) win against the AFC North Division rival Cincinnati Bengals, which saw defensive end Myles Garrett break the NFL single-season sack record.