Details Emerging From John Harbaugh's Massive Giants Contract

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 15, 2026 11:02 AM ET

The New York Giants became the first team of the 2026 NFL offseason to hire a new head coach, bringing former Super Bowl champion and Baltimore Ravens all-time wins leader John Harbaugh into the fold. But he's not working for free and he doesn't come cheap either.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Giants have given Harbaugh a five-year contract worth around $100 million. The deal makes Harbaugh one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches - a place he's been in for years dating back to his Baltimore days.

"Sources: The #Giants’ deal for John Harbaugh is expected to be for 5 years, with a total value that nears $100M. He will be one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches — like he was in Baltimore," Schultz wrote.

Sources: The #Giants’ deal for John Harbaugh is expected to be for 5 years, with a total value that nears $100M.

He will be one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches — like he was in Baltimore. https://t.co/STHSPF6Hl7 pic.twitter.com/qDGP22sdoz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 15, 2026

Big Expectations in the Big Apple

Harbaugh's resume speaks for itself. There's the aforementioned Super Bowl, a 180-114 regular season record, 13-11 playoff record, only three losing seasons since 2008 (compared to 11 for the Giants), and success with two different starting quarterbacks of wildly different skillsets (Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson).

Harbaugh was the best coaching candidate this offseason, matched only by former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin - and even then, Tomlin has no shortage of doubters.

Needless to say, expectations are going to be sky high from the minute Harbaugh steps to the podium for his first press conference.

Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images© Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

Harbaugh isn't going somewhere with a bare cupboard either. They have a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, several promising skill players such as Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo and Wan'Dale Robinson, some good players on the offensive line and the defense, and an owner that is generally hands off.

Simply put, the Giants are a top candidate to go from worst-to-first in 2026.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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