In a major power play, Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is reportedly preparing a full-court press in a bid to convince recently-fired coaching legend John Harbaugh to take the reins of the struggling franchise. This comes as the Raiders, armed with the coveted first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, seek a dramatic turnaround.
A Swift and Aggressive Pursuit
The seismic news of John Harbaugh's departure from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons sent shockwaves through the league on Tuesday. Sources close to Tom Brady have revealed to the Daily Mail that the Raiders intend to be at the very front of the queue for the 63-year-old's services. The franchise is understood to be ready to move immediately, having anticipated that either Harbaugh or Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin could become available after the final weekend of the regular season.
"They want to bring John in immediately," explained a source. "The Raiders are looking to have a meeting with him the moment he is ready to have a meeting." The driving force behind this aggressive recruitment is the desire of both Brady and majority owner Mark Davis to build a winning team on the field. They are said to view the Super Bowl-winning Harbaugh, named NFL Coach of the Year in 2019, as the best available candidate to lead the franchise into a successful new era.
Intense Competition and a Unique Selling Point
The Raiders will face significant competition. Harbaugh's agent, Bryan Harlan, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that seven teams had already made contact regarding his client's availability within hours of the Ravens' announcement. Intriguingly, only six NFL teams currently have a head coach vacancy, suggesting a team with a contracted coach has also registered interest. Harbaugh has quickly emerged as a favourite for the New York Giants' vacancy.
However, the Raiders possess a unique and powerful lure: the number one overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team is expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the new face of the franchise, offering Harbaugh a rare opportunity to mould a top prospect from day one. This asset, combined with the influence of Tom Brady, makes their pitch particularly compelling.
A Franchise in Transition
The Raiders confirmed their own coaching change on Monday, parting ways with head coach Pete Carroll. The move was swiftly executed by Davis and Brady, with the legendary quarterback taking a significant behind-the-scenes role since becoming a part-owner in October 2024. Although his public role is as a Fox analyst, Brady is expected to have substantial influence over the appointment of the next head coach.
Harbaugh's availability comes after a dramatic end to his long tenure in Baltimore. The Ravens missed the playoffs this season by a whisker, with a last-second missed field goal by rookie kicker Tyler Loop sealing their fate in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. In contrast, the Raiders' season concluded much earlier, with a final record of 3-14, though a surprise win over the Kansas City Chiefs on the final day was not enough to cost them the top draft pick.
While other names like Brian Flores, Kevin Stefanski, and Philip Rivers are on the betting lists, the immediate and forceful pursuit of John Harbaugh signals the Raiders' clear intent to make a franchise-defining hire.
