Are the Dolphins pursuing John Harbaugh, and should they pursue him?

The Miami Dolphins have many questions to answer in the 2026 offseason. For starters, who will be their new general manager? The next would be, is Mike McDaniel truly safe?

Reports have indicated that the Dolphins plan to retain McDaniel, but the latest bombshell firing could heavily impact that. The Baltimore Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, and he will now be the presumed favorite for any team, including Miami.

NFL insider Josina Anderson stated that the Dolphins were reportedly already in contact with Harbaugh.

"I'm told the #Dolphins have been in touch on John Harbaugh, per league sources," Anderson's post on X states.

Despite the initial reports, longtime Dolphins columnist Barry Jackson indicated the complete opposite.

"The Dolphins have not reached out to, or engaged with John Harbaugh in any way, according to 3 people with direct knowledge. I can't predict the future but that's where we stand at this time," Jackson's post reads on X.

Jackson also clarified this post, stating the Dolphins had not contacted Harbaugh in the immediacy of him being fired. Not that the team would not pursue him. 

With head coaching jobs, along with mostly anything that happens in the NFL, there is a decent amount of smoke behind most reports. It could be the team itself releasing information, top insiders obtaining rumors or reports, or outright speculation.

Either way, the Dolphins having an interest in Harbaugh would not be out of the realm of possibility. The team is searching for a new GM, and that hire might want a fresh start, which would include getting rid of McDaniel.

Despite Dolphins owner Stephen Ross being a fan of McDaniel, and it appearing more so than not that he is staying, a talent like Harbaugh is likely to be checked out by most teams. Even teams that have current head coaches installed would likely consider the former Ravens coach.

Harbaugh ended his 18-season tenure with Baltimore with an overall 180-113 record, 12 playoff berths, and a Super Bowl win. Simply put, he is a proven winner and culture changer.

The Dolphins have needed a culture reset, and a coach like Harbaugh could be the one to help facilitate that.

An interesting aspect of the Dolphins' job, should they contact Harbaugh, is that he may be given more control over his next team in ways that he never had before. That is not to say that he did not have similar powers with the Ravens, but taking the job in Miami could come with more.

Say Harbaugh contacted Ross, and part of the deal would be that he gets to help choose the right GM and coaching staff, along with taking home a big check. Would he say no to that?

This is all just speculation, but the Dolphins are among many teams that need sweeping changes. Harbaugh could offer that, including bringing in a new coaching staff, and possibly assisting in finding a GM to work with, which would lead the team out of mediocrity.

Miami has not won a playoff game in over 25 years. That is the longest active streak of any team. Despite how much Ross loves McDaniel, he is part of that streak.

Harbaugh has won multiple playoff games in his tenure, despite only winning one Super Bowl. 

If the Dolphins have any interest in Harbaugh and he shares that same interest, it would be insane for them not to give him a long look and audition.