The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of their search for a new head coach, replacing Jonathan Gannon, who was fired after the Cardinals finished 3-14 in 2025 and 15-36 over three seasons. They have been in contact with many candidates, including former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
However, it appears that the Cardinals’ chances for Harbaugh are fading.
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Harbaugh is expected to have interviewed for the head coaching vacancies of the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. “Other teams remain interested. But those three appear to have the inside track,” Pelissero posted on X/Twitter.
It is not known how much interest the Cardinals have. They reportedly had a phone call with Harbaugh.
There are rumors of big demands from Harbaugh:
- A salary of $20 million per year
- $10 million in salary for his coaching staff
- Full control of the roster
- Getting to choose his general manager
Based on that, Harbaugh would have to be on board with current Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, and it would mean shifting final roster decisions from Ossenfort to Harbaugh. As for the money, who knows if the Cardinals would be willing to do that, especially when they still must pay Gannon two more years of salary and former head coach Kliff Kingsbury for two more years.
Harbaugh to Arizona seemed like a pipe dream, and that dream seems to be fading.
Who are candidates to replace Jonathan Gannon?
These are the 12 candidates the Cardinals have either interviewed or requested to interview. This doesn’t include Harbaugh, who has only reportedly had initial contact with the Cardinals.
- Denver Broncos DC Vance Joseph
- Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
- Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy
- San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh
- Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak
- Former Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris
- New England Patriots passing game coordinator/tight ends coach Thomas Brown
- Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley
- Los Angeles Rams OC Mike LaFleur
- Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula
- Houston Texans DC Matt Burke
- Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 3 favorites emerge for John Harbaugh’s next job as head coach
