GLENDALE – Despite not requesting an interview yet, the Arizona Cardinals do seem interest in former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. When Arizona released its initial eight-name list for candidates for its head coach opening in 2026, Harbaugh wasn’t mentioned. Fitting with the franchise’s past hiring, the Super Bowl winning coach seemed out of the team’s price range.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, ESPN Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the Cardinals have conducted preliminary phone calls with five teams, including the Cardinals.
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Schefter on Harbaugh taking multiple phone calls with NFL teams:
“While the Falcons announced an official interview with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, he already has been conducting preliminary and extensive phone calls with the Giants, Titans, Browns, Raiders and Cardinals, per sources. He is trying to determine who to meet with later this week and into next week before making a decision. He is fully expected to coach in 2026, per sources.”
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort watches his team warm up before playing against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024.
Arizona seemed ruled out before Harbaugh did his first interview because of the current state of the team and the future. General manager Monti Ossenfort is leading the coaching search, but will need to get final approval from owner Michael Bidwill. The $20 million price tag with Harbaugh might be a tough pill to swallow for Bidwill, seeing he’s still paying Kliff Kingsbury and Jonathan Gannon to not coach for his team.
Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill (left) and general manager Monti Ossenfort watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After Gannon’s firing, Bidwill said the decision came down to wins and losses. If that was the problem, then Harbaugh would be the perfect answer. In his 18-year long career, Harbaugh has as many 10+ win seasons than the Cardinals have had in the past 100 years. The organization is in dire need of a culture.
Getting a phone call with Harbaugh is a step in the right direction for the franchise. Whether he wants to coach in the Valley or not, failing to at minimum get an interview with Harbaugh would be an embarrassing achievement.
Cardinals request 9th name for head coach interview in Rams’ Mike LaFleur
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
