John Harbaugh tipped to be handed $100m contract and keys to franchise as Ravens locker room issues rubbished

Jan 8, 2026 - 12:45

Baltimore’s loss could be Cleveland’s gain.

After 18 seasons, John Harbaugh is out as Ravens head coach, and the rest of the NFL is on notice.

Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on January 4, 2026 — Harbaugh was fired by the Ravens after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl win

There are currently six franchises with an open vacancy (not including the Ravens) and all will surely have the league’s hottest candidate high on their interview list.

Harbaugh will have his pick of the bunch, and according to one reporter, could be set to make a lot of money should he land in Cleveland.

Browns could hand John Harbaugh $100m contract

The veteran HC has been heavily linked with the Browns, as he has Ohio roots.

Harbaugh is a Toledo native, and played college ball for the RedHawks at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

John and his brother, Jim Harbaugh, also grew up as fans of the team.

Should he wish to take over the franchise, which has won just one playoff game since its re-establishment in 1999, the 63-year-old could command a $100 million contract.

That’s according to reporter Dan Labbe, who believes owner Jimmy Haslam won’t be afraid to splash the cash to land the league’s top available coach.

“All those Cleveland ties. They could maybe sell him on this defense,” Labbe said, discussing why Harbaugh would be interested in the job.

“He said some great things about this defense during the season and was very complimentary of the Browns.

“The big thing is, we know this: Jimmy Haslam is not afraid to spend money.

Owner Jimmy Haslam (L) and Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta (R) of the Cleveland Browns look on before the game against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 18, 2022 — Browns owner Haslam (L) could offer Harbaugh a $100m contract

Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with the VInce Lombardi Championship trophy after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 — Harbaugh is expected to have his pick of the six NFL vacancies

“They could have John Harbaugh come in, and he could offer him a Jon Gruden-style contract that he signed with the Raiders, which I think was 10 years, $100 million.

“Jimmy could offer that.”

While that $100m figure sounds huge, if Harbaugh was to be offered a decade-long deal, it would pay him less annually than he made with the Ravens.

There, he signed a three-year contract extension in March 2025, and was expected to be paid a salary of $17m until 2028.

Still, a $100m contract will no doubt turn the head of the one-time Super Bowl winner.

John Harbaugh locker room rift rubbished by NFL insider

Baltimore’s decision to fire their veteran head coach, days after missing the playoffs, sent shock waves through the league.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 4: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens share a moment during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) — Reports that Harbaugh lost the Ravens locker room have been disputed

In the wake of his departure, NFL insider Ian Rapoport noted that locker room issues between Harbaugh and his players was a factor.

“My understanding, after talking to several sources involved, is that simply Harbaugh lost the locker room,” Rapoport said on The Insiders.

However, his claims have since been disputed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, he rubbished any talk of a rift between players and coach.

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“I don’t think that information right there could be any less true,” Schefter said, interrupting McAfee when he repeated Rapoport’s report.

“The players were coming to his office crying, hugging him, sending him goodbyes, calling him one by one.

“If they felt that way, why are Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely coming in, crying, hugging him, giving him these long goodbyes?

“I’m not buying that.”

Derrick Henry #22 and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 — Harbaugh would stay in the AFC North if he moves from Baltimore to Cleveland

When McAfee asked how the Ravens and Harbaugh reached the end of the road, Schefter added: “Sometimes, nobody does anything wrong.

“You go on for 18 years, and it’s time for everybody to go a different direction. That’s OK.

“Nobody has to do anything wrong, it doesn’t have to be a some fight, or something like that.”

According to Schefter, Harbaugh commanded the respect of his players until the very end. He will no doubt get the same treatment wherever he lands next, whether that is Cleveland or elsewhere.

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