Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Ravens’ Harbaugh would come with hefty price tag
Two first-round picks needed in a trade, report says
DAVIE – If the Miami Dolphins covet John Harbaugh for their head coaching job, they will have to wait until the Baltimore Ravens finish their postseason run before engaging in trade talks for the Super Bowl-winning coach.
The Dolphins are expected to gauge the Ravens’ interest in such a deal, which could require as much as two first-round draft picks as compensation, according to a Thursday report by ProFootballTalk, citing a league source.
The Dolphins, who have signaled for a rebuild in 2019, may not be in position to pay such a lofty price tag in future draft picks for Harbaugh, who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl over his brother Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers in 2012.
But, the report states the Ravens’ price for such a deal may not be that high.
The Ravens announced last month they intend to keep Harbaugh next season as both sides work toward a contract extension. Harbaugh is under contract until the end of the 2019 season.
The Ravens ended a three-year playoff drought and will host the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild-card game Sunday. If the Ravens advance, the Dolphins’ interest in Harbaugh could linger into the later rounds of the playoffs.
Baltimore’s playoff drought was one reason Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti considered firing Harbaugh last season.
Dolphins owner Steve Ross fired coach Adam Gase on Monday after he led the team to a 23-26 overall record in three seasons.
Ross, a Michigan alum and noted booster of the school, tried to hire Jim Harbaugh to coach the Dolphins before he took the 49ers job in 2011. After four years with the 49ers, Harbaugh took the helm at Michigan, where he just completed his fourth season. Ross has said he would not poach Harbaugh from his alma mater.
But John Harbaugh could be a different story if the Dolphins are able to compensate the Ravens without mortgaging their future on a coach instead of a much-needed franchise quarterback in the 2019 or 2020 NFL drafts.
The Denver Broncos also have reported interest in John Harbaugh.
The Dolphins have plans to interview six candidates for their vacant coaching job: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richards, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak and longtime Dolphins special teams coach Darren Rizzi.