The Miami Dolphins are one of many teams looking to hire John Harbaugh, and one NFL insider believes they have a "real shot" at doing so.
The Miami Dolphins are engaged in interviews for their next head coach, and they are among the many teams that are hoping to speak to former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was fired, which completely rocked the NFL landscape, especially regarding the head coach hiring cycle. Though every team looking for a head coach wants Harbaugh, one NFL insider believes the Dolphins have a "real shot" at landing him.
There have been multiple reports regarding what Harbaugh wants, which starts with him paying close attention to every team's quarterback situation. This is why the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans jobs have leapt out as favorites for the former Ravens head coach.
The Giants have a young and dynamic rookie in Jaxson Dart, as do the Titans in Cam Ward. For the Dolphins, they are currently stuck in a bad situation with the contract situation regarding Tua Tagovailoa.
Still, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan might be able to work out a situation where the Dolphins find a suitable starter for 2026. Regardless of the multitude of reports and rumors, Harbaugh is open to everyone, as he has not yet been hired by any team.
NFL insider Albert Breer reports that multiple teams have a "real shot" at landing Harbaugh, which includes the Dolphins.
"Harbaugh spent the weekend assembling a staff and preparing for interviews this week. All seven teams with openings contacted his camp. He’ll take interviews with a few, with the Giants, Dolphins, Falcons and Titans likely to get a real shot at landing him," Breer wrote.
There are multiple teams that are looking for a head coach, but not all were named by Breer. The previously mentioned teams with great quarterback situations were mentioned, along with the Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.
The issue is that until Harbaugh begins to speak to teams, there is no telling what he truly wants. This includes the level of roster power he requests, along with salary, and whatever other control he wants in his next opportunity.
Miami may not want a head coach who needs or wants more power than just being the head coach. That could be a pain point in negotiations, which Breer also pointed to.
"My feeling is that fit, both ways, will be important with John Harbaugh. Miami, for example, isn’t looking for an all-powerful coach. So how Harbaugh fits into that, through the interview process, will be key," Breer added.
The Dophins brought in Sullivan to help rebuild the roster through the draft and free agency. There could be a major reset coming in terms of multiple current players being traded in preparation of a better 2027 season.
This is just speculation, but any head coach coming into this organization may have to be good with the idea that 2026 might be a wash to propel the team to better days and years ahead. Harbaugh might not be the right coach for that, especially if he wants a roster he can turn around immediately.
That is not to say the Dolphins couldn't be turned around in a year, but they have cap issues, no clear starting quarterback, and a wealth of other issues that might not be the most appealing.
Harbaugh might also look at this as a challenge, but there is no telling if he sees it that way. One thing is for sure, he will start finalizing interviews this week, and Miami will have a better sense if is interested when they land an interview.