The Washington Commanders are still trying to figure out who will become their next defensive coordinator. Head coach Dan Quinn's job wasn't under any real threat despite going 5-12 just one year after reaching the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately, others in the division weren't as lucky.
Brian Daboll was fired by the New York Giants during the season. And it didn't take long for them to identify their top candidate to replace him as head coach.
When John Harbaugh's long tenure with the Baltimore Ravens came to an end, he immediately became the hottest name in the hiring cycle. Several teams made aggressive pitches, and the respected coach did extensive research before narrowing down his shortlist. The Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons secured in-person interviews. The Giants were first.
Commanders will be hoping John Harbaugh goes anywhere but the Giants
Rumors are swirling that the Giants are going all-out to secure Harbaugh's services. Phone conversations, private jets, and everything in between have been reported. And it's also common knowledge that the revered leader of men is enamored with the prospect of turning this perennial struggler around.
Harbaugh is speaking to the Giants today (Wednesday), and Jordan Raanan of The Athletic believes the situation is fast-moving. He could even meet with the Titans and Falcons by the end of the week. The Commanders — and everyone else in the NFC East, for that matter — will be hoping those meetings go a lot better than his trip to MetLife Stadium.
The #Giants, #Titans and #Falcons have emerged as top suitors for John Harbaugh among the available jobs.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 14, 2026
This is going to start moving quickly. It's not out of the question that Harbaugh visits all three teams by the end of the week.
Things are difficult enough for Quinn without the prospect of Harbaugh taking over the Giants. It's not hard to see why he would be enticed by the opportunity, either.
They have a potential franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. They have an elite wide receiver (Malik Nabers) and a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle (Andrew Thomas). Their defense is loaded with difference-makers. What they lack is the right culture and someone to guide them toward prosperity.
There is no better option available than Harbaugh, especially with Mike Tomlin taking time away from coaching. It instantly makes the Giants an attractive destination for free agents. It would also turn up the heat on the Commanders in their quest to shift the balance of power once again.
The Commanders have to get their own house in order first. Quinn replaced Kliff Kingsbury with David Blough. He is reportedly thinking a lot bigger for his next defensive coordinator, with Brian Flores and Jonathan Gannon among those being interviewed. Getting the right hire is key, but Washington would be wise to keep tabs on other developments within the division as well.
And there is no bigger fish capable of shifting the landscape than Harbaugh.