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Brian Flores deserves another chance to be an NFL head coach. As the Ravens prepare to interview Flores next week, they’ll weigh a resume worthy of opportunity against a history that still requires deep investigation. Flores, Minnesota’s defensive coordinator over the past three seasons, must prove he’s changed since his final tumultuous days as the head coach in Miami. Flores’ bare coaching credentials say that he’s worthy of another shot. Over three seasons as Dolphins coach from 2019 to 2021, the longtime Patriots assistant and four-time Super Bowl champion compiled a 24-25 record and guided back-to-back winning seasons in 2020 and 2021. I covered the 2020 season as a former Dolphins beat reporter, and that 10-6 record without a playoff appearance was no small feat for a franchise emerging from a teardown. Flores notably stood his ground during the Dolphins’ darkest chapter, alleging that owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss during his first season in 2019 to improve the team’s draft position. Flores’ refusal to tank, and his willingness to publicly challenge those practices, is commendable. Shortly after he was fired in February 2022, Flores sued the NFL and multiple teams, alleging the league was “rife with racism,” particularly in its hiring and promotion practices for Black coaches. He acknowledged the risk to his own career, but he said that the lawsuit was worth it if it created lasting change for future generations of minority coaches. Additional coaches later joined as plaintiffs. Flores spent the ensuing season as a senior defensive assistant to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. This week, the league petitioned to move Flores’ discrimination lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court, raising the question of whether Flores’ case will be resolved in court or in arbitration. Let’s be clear: It’s terrific that the Ravens are hosting Flores for a coaching interview. His name has emerged as a worthy candidate in this coaching cycle. But it’s also difficult to imagine any team fully committing to Flores while his lawsuit against the league remains active. It’s a reality that, fairly or not, continues to loom over every interview he participates in. To his credit, Flores has never backed away from that reality. When Flores and I crossed paths again in February 2023, a couple of weeks after he accepted his current position as Vikings defensive coordinator, he was candid about the consequences of his decision. During a shared multi-hour flight delay at the Indianapolis airport after the annual NFL scouting combine, Flores told me he was at peace with his choice and grateful to be coaching again. Before boarding a different flight, he made one thing clear: Flores still wants another shot to lead a team. He’s certainly earned his way back into that conversation. Flores spent a season under Tomlin in Pittsburgh before becoming defensive coordinator in Minnesota, where his impact has been immediate and measurable. Over the past two seasons, the Vikings have finished fifth and seventh in total defense, generating a league-high 13 forced fumbles this year. The Vikings’ defense has become aggressive, creative and opportunistic, offering a reflection of Flores’ ability to elevate an average roster through his scheme. Coaching acumen has never been the central question with Flores. It’s all about relationships. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa called his former coach a “terrible person” in August 2024, describing an environment that eroded confidence. Former quarterback and current Amazon Prime analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick echoed those concerns in a podcast appearance with Andrew Whitworth, saying that Flores became “unrecognizable” over time in Miami and burned bridges that still linger today. Has Flores grown as a communicator and relationship-builder over the past four years? That will be a key question in his looming interviews in Baltimore and elsewhere. Flores responded professionally to Tagovailoa’s comments, publicly wishing him success while flanked by players who clearly believe in him. He’s also rebuilt trust by recruiting former Dolphins linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Kamu Grugier-Hill, to join him in Minnesota over the past two seasons. Van Ginkel led the NFL in 2024 with two interception returns for touchdowns. Related Articles Steelers’ Chris Boswell supports Ravens’ Tyler Loop: ‘Anybody can go through it’ 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ disappointing 8-9 season 5 questions facing Ravens’ Steve Bisciotti, Eric DeCosta after Harbaugh firing Ravens’ Todd Monken explains 2025 failure, defends John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson Who will coach the Ravens in 2026? Grok AI picks an offensive mind. Before the Vikings hosted the Ravens in November, Flores praised quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. “He’s improved and gotten better in all areas of his game this year after year after year after year,” Flores said. “He’s a perennial, essentially an MVP candidate year after year after year. When people talk about him or think about him, you think about the dynamic runs and the scrambles and the off-schedule plays. “This guy’s an excellent passer of the football, quarterback. Leadership, command of the offense, protections, deep balls, intermediate, short, scrambles — all of it.” The Ravens are only the first team to schedule an interview with Flores this offseason. NFL owners will express hesitancy with bringing him in, but his defenses demand the respect. Moving forward, Flores must own his past. The Ravens and other franchises should welcome his candidacy, examine it rigorously and demand evidence that he’s properly recognized and developed from his mistakes. If Flores has truly learned, the league should be ready to give him another chance. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSportsand instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Steelers kicker Chris Boswell immediately went to Tyler Loop after the rookie’s missed go-ahead field goal attempt in Baltimore’s 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh. As Loop walked slowly toward the locker room, still holding his helmet after the 44-yard misfire that ended the Ravens’ season Sunday night, Boswell stepped in front of him and took his hand for a moment. “I just wanted to run over to him and let him know, a kick is a kick. Got to move past it,” Boswell said. “When we fail, it’s in the public eye for everybody to see.” Had the Ravens won, Baltimore would have claimed the AFC North title and hosted the Houston Texans on Monday night in the AFC wild-card round. Instead, it’s Pittsburgh in the postseason. Loop had been perfect on kicks under 50 yards — 29-for-29 — before the miss and finished the season converting 88.2% of his attempts. After the game, he said that he knew he missed the kick the moment it left his foot, saying that he struck the ball too low. “I got back there and looked at the play clock. I saw 22 seconds. I took my steps, took over. I visualized what the ball looks like when it’s held down. Jordan [Stout] picked up his fingers, and that was my cue to go. I saw the ball, tried to visualize the ball going through the uprights where I wanted it, swung and the result didn’t match my process,” Loop said. For Boswell, an 11-year veteran with the Steelers, the moment was an opportunity for the young kicker to learn and grow. “Anybody can go through it. I just kind of wanted to give him that from someone who’s been there,” Boswell said. “There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel type thing. He knows this, but it’s up to him and he just got to move on and it’s about the next kick.” Pittsburgh’s kicker helped create the opportunity one drive earlier. After quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit receiver Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard touchdown with 55 seconds left, Boswell’s extra point attempt was blocked by safety Keondre Jackson. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ disappointing 8-9 season 5 questions facing Ravens’ Steve Bisciotti, Eric DeCosta after Harbaugh firing Ravens’ Todd Monken explains 2025 failure, defends John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson Who will coach the Ravens in 2026? Grok AI picks an offensive mind. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to speak with media for 1st time since 2022 Keaton Mitchell returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, and Lamar Jackson then led the Ravens 27 more yards to the Pittsburgh 26. Boswell said that he wasn’t concerned whether his kick, which missed wide right, was tipped or simply mishit. He said that he just has to make it next time. “You can’t tell on film whether it’s tipped or whether it’s just a shank kick,” Boswell said. “But at the end of the day, whether it’s a block or not, it’s on me and I got to put it in and we’ll move past it.” Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

On a dreary Sunday night in Pittsburgh, one of the most disappointing seasons in Ravens history came to a crashing close. Not 48 hours later, Baltimore fired coach John Harbaugh. This whiplash season had no shortage of storylines good and bad, and ultimately proved a defining year for the organization. The Ravens missed the playoffs and finished below .500, both firsts since 2021. Here are five things we learned: John Harbaugh’s tenure ran its course When Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired his coach of 18 years, he jammed his thumb into the reset button. It was time. Harbaugh steadied the ship when the team could’ve capsized. He won a Super Bowl. He consistently coached his teams to playoff contention. But this season’s disappointments — a below .500 record despite championship forecasts, empty seats to watch the worst home record (3-6) in the organization’s 30-year history and another haunting exit — were enough to convince Bisciotti it was time. “Following a comprehensive evaluation of the season and the overall direction of our organization, I decided to make a change at head coach,” Bisciotti said in a statement. “This was an incredibly difficult decision.” This year was supposed to be different. Harbaugh introduced transparency in training camp with a full-scale grading system that, he thought, would clean up the kind of football minutiae that ousted the Ravens each of the previous three years, one hauntingly disastrous play at a time: Tyler Huntley’s goal-line fumble in the wild-card round, Zay Flowers’ goal-line fumble in the AFC championship game and Mark Andrews’ goal-line drop in the divisional round. “When you go through the things that we’ve gone through, in terms of different games and things like that, they can see when we do those things well, most of the time, the game’s not even close,” Harbaugh said in August, hoping to clean up midseason blunders and playoff collapses. “When we don’t do those things well — we haven’t been blown out, but we’ve given teams a chance to beat us.” The Ravens were chasing perfection in August, barely gave themselves a chance to sneak into the playoffs in January and were again undone by one excruciating kick. Those singular plays were not on Harbaugh alone, but rather a culmination of a team falling short. A team with enough talent to not be in those situations in the first place. They showed fight until the very end, as evidenced by the turnaround from a 1-5 start, but several players described their season with one defiant descriptor: They “underperformed.” “Our goal has always been and will always be to win championships,” Bisciotti wrote. “We strive to consistently perform at the highest level on the field and be a team and organization our fans take pride in.” Harbaugh’s legacy should not be whitewashed by how it ended. But to the final question he took as Ravens coach, wondering whether he’d like a chance to run it back with the same group, even Harbaugh sounded tired. “Yes, I love these guys,” he said. “I love these guys.” ‘Self-inflicted wounds’ left Ravens defense crestfallen, not ‘feared’ The Ravens’ defense promised to be feared. They vowed to be the kind of group who ripped heads off and snatched footballs, leaving opposing ball carriers to shrivel up at the thought of sharing the same patch of grass. They failed. One assistant coach from a rival team called Baltimore “soft” — a punishing insult and telling accusation. Related Articles 5 questions facing Ravens’ Steve Bisciotti, Eric DeCosta after Harbaugh firing Ravens’ Todd Monken explains 2025 failure, defends John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson Who will coach the Ravens in 2026? Grok AI picks an offensive mind. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to speak with media for 1st time since 2022 Ravens coaching search: DraftKings shares odds for Harbaugh replacements “There were a lot of highs and lows this year, a lot of just self-inflicted wounds,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “We just never quite got to be the brand consistently, drive after drive, that we kind of wanted, game after game. It just was rough.” There was a fourth-quarter comeback allowed in Buffalo. Detroit bullied Baltimore on the ground. Kansas City scored a season-high 37 points against the Ravens. A six-game streak holding opponents to fewer than 20 points would look a lot better if more than two were against playoff teams. Yes, the Ravens shut out the Bengals on the road, which is a commendable feat against any team, but by and large, their defense struggled most against playoff quarterbacks in prime time. In September, Humphrey relayed a message from Harbaugh, who told the defense that they weren’t mature enough yet. There were signs as the leaves changed that the defense had too. Then Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers authored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives without his No. 1 receiver. Baltimore’s defense — a well-paid, talented group which performed beneath its capabilities — finished this season ranked 17th by defense-adjusted value over average. They tumbled from a sixth-place finish last year, Zach Orr’s first as the defensive play caller. Last year’s group enjoyed a midseason turnaround from the pit of the NFL to one of the league’s toughest. This year’s defense planned to carry the torch and instead required a similar turnaround, only to crumble as the curtains closed. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry still got it Shame on us for ever considering otherwise. Jackson took a beating this year and it seemed, in his age-28 season, that his body might have started to break down. He dealt with injuries to most of his lower half, a back contusion and winter sickness. It was a down year by most metrics. His decision making raised, at times, raised eyebrows. There were even some outside voices (wrongly, very wrongly) insisting that Tyler Huntley should start in his place Week 18. Henry, 32, fumbled each of the first three weeks of the season then again in Week 16. There were times when he struggled to break into space. Times he apologized to the fan base and pointed the finger at himself. Henry toiled through four games failing to eclipse 100 yards. Then a three-game slump. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates with running back Derrick Henry after Henry runs for a touchdown against the Patriots. The duo wasn't at its best throughout all of 2025, but the backfield teammates showed flashes of why they're both bound for the Hall of Fame. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Both superstars are bound for Canton, Ohio. Sculptors should get a head start on shaping their Hall of Fame busts. Neither has fallen off. They each finished the season on the highest of high notes. Jackson waited until the last quarter of the season. He spun a pair of ridiculous touchdown drives that resembled vintage Jackson. Down to the Ravens’ last try to save the season, a fourth-and-7 from midfield, he launched a perfectly placed pass to tight end Isaiah Likely. He “made some phenomenal plays,” Harbaugh said, that would be overshadowed by the loss. Henry shouldered the load with a season-saving performance a week earlier. He rushed for 216 yards on 36 carries for four touchdowns. Harbaugh called it “one of the greatest performances” that he’d ever seen. We all probably had the same thought. Henry matched his career high in touchdowns and set a new mark in carries while clocking his most single-game yards since 2022. If the Ravens are going to win a Super Bowl anytime soon, it will be that backfield duo hoisting the trophy. It took all year, but the biggest training camp question was resolutely answered in January In late May, at the start of optional offseason practices, Harbaugh was asked for the first time a prescient question: Is there risk involved to having a rookie kicker backstop for a championship-caliber team? “There’s a lot of risks in life,” Harbaugh said, readying to dodge that harsh reality entirely. “There’s a risk when you get in your car; you’ll be driving home in this rain. I want you to be very careful. It’s going to be risky out there on that road.” If memory serves correctly, it was raining that spring afternoon. But even then, folks at every level of the organization knew that by replacing their longtime positional stability with a sixth-round rookie out of always-sunny Arizona, rather than a proven commodity, they were taking a risk that may not pay off. Seven months later, Tyler Loop thinned a 44-yard field goal attempt in Pittsburgh that would have sent the Ravens to the playoffs. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop reacts after missing a field goal at the end of a 26-24 loss to the Steelers. The rookie kicker was perfect from inside 50 yards until the 44-yard miss in Week 18. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) That kick alone did not dispel Baltimore’s season. Nor was it the sole cause to Harbaugh’s effective firing. But Loop hadn’t been truly tested in those conditions — game on the line in the chilly AFC North — all year. The Ravens proved not to be a Super Bowl contender but had a chance to atone for their regular-season blemishes. Loop “just mishit the ball,” he said. It was a gutting end to an otherwise positive rookie campaign. Before that fateful swing, Loop was a perfect 29 of 29 from inside 50 yards. It was the long ball where his accuracy destabilized. He was given four tries from beyond 50 in the regular season, making only one from 52 the first week of the season. Still, Loop wasn’t called on in crunch time until Baltimore’s season depended on it. There’s a common Silicon Valley axiom: “Fail fast.” Maybe if Loop missed a critical kick early in the year he would’ve been more prepared for Pittsburgh. Instead, the ball sailed right and thumped to the turf, where a Western Pennsylvania-based priest had apparently blessed the end zone. Loop’s miss conjured haunting memories of Billy Cundiff in 2012, the year before Baltimore won a Super Bowl with an undrafted rookie kicker named Justin Tucker. Loop was called on as the successor to Tucker, who was cut a few months after being accused of sexual misconduct. Tucker built a Hall of Fame worthy career over 13 seasons as a Raven. Those are big shoes to fill. All season, Loop was built up to be his long-term replacement. We heard senior special teams coach Randy Brown tell the story of his first meeting with Loop and the qualifying traits the 24-year-old showed at a restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. Holder Jordan Stout said Loop has the “biggest leg I’ve ever seen.” And Harbaugh was adamant about his confidence the kid had what it takes. He still might. While Loop came to terms with the hardest moment of his football career, his teammates in the visiting locker room at Acrisure Stadium insisted that this would be the starting point of a successful career. We can’t know for sure if Loop remains in line to be the team’s kicker of the future (Cundiff never kicked in Baltimore after his playoff gaffe). We do know while it is risky to drive through a messy downpour, it’s also risky to pin your team’s playoff hopes on an untested kicker while 60,000-plus yellow towels swirl in his peripheral. Loop wasn’t ready for that moment. General manager Eric DeCosta didn’t invest enough in the trenches Let’s start here: social media isn’t real life. Those lowlight reels of right guard Daniel Faalele make him look far worse than the whole of his body of work. Second-year left guard Andrew Vorhees didn’t take nearly as much of the flack and struggled just as badly. Still, both proved major holes in an offensive line that struggled to keep Jackson upright. Ravens guard Daniel Faalele, shown in September, was inconsistent for Baltimore at right guard. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) In late November, Jackson was informed by a reporter that he had matched his sack total from all of last year in 10 fewer starts. “I got to talk to the offensive line about that,” he said, lifting an eyebrow. “I’m going to holler at my guys about that.” Jackson finished the season sacked 36 times in 13 starts, two off his career high but the worst sack rate (10.65%) and most lost yardage (239) of his career. Time and again, Baltimore’s offense began to hemorrhage when blown pass protection sent pass rushers flying toward a quarterback playing through lower-body injuries or when they couldn’t consistently create rushing lanes for Henry. The only year-over-year change to Baltimore’s offensive line was to backfill a departing Patrick Mekari with Vorhees and later rotate in third-round rookie Emery Jones Jr. As for the defensive line, general manager Eric DeCosta couldn’t have predicted such a brutal string of injuries; namely the season-ending neck injury to Nnamdi Madubuike. He could have taken a bigger swing to address the edges, though. Second-round rookie Mike Green rounded into form the second half of the season but never showed the kind of first-year dominance that some expected. Odafe Oweh, who hit double-digit sacks last year, failed to bring down any quarterback before being traded to Los Angeles, where he finished with 7 1/2 sacks for the Chargers. A 34-year-old Kyle Van Noy slowed down after two productive seasons. Midseason acquisition Dre’Mont Jones injected new life into the pass rush but couldn’t get the Ravens over the hump. A talented secondary can only hang on so long when the pass rush struggles to make quarterbacks uncomfortable. The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate. Bottom line: A team-high five sacks (Travis Jones) won’t cut it for a playoff team. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti will have a news conference Tuesday at 2 p.m. from inside the nearly $100 million house he built at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills. It will be his first time speaking with local reporters in nearly four full years. That’s what happens when you fire an 18-year head coach who has the most victories in franchise history, won a Super Bowl and reached the playoffs a dozen times, including four AFC championship game appearances. But, Bisciotti will also be joined by general manager Eric DeCosta, who in recent years has typically sat alongside John Harbaugh in the team’s season-ending sessions. This, of course, is an atypical situation, though. DeCosta hasn’t met with reporters since before the season began, so while there will be plenty of questions directed at him, there will likely be far more for the 65-year-old owner. The last time Bisciotti did talk was during the 2022 NFL owners meetings, when the Ravens were involved in contract negotiations with quarterback Lamar Jackson. It was also in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Cleveland Browns after getting traded by the Houston Texans — a deal that was $80 million more than the previous league record for fully guaranteed money at signing. “I’m trying to answer that when I had a reaction to it. And it’s like, ‘Damn, I wish they hadn’t guaranteed the whole contract,’ ” Bisciotti told reporters then. “I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract. To me, that’s something that is groundbreaking, and it’ll make negotiations harder with others. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to play that game, you know? We shall see. If I was in bogged-down negotiations with Lamar, then maybe I would have a quicker reaction to that news.” Now, the Ravens are in a similar position again. Jackson and the Ravens have begun contract talks about another extension. There are two years left on his current $260 million contract, which includes no more guaranteed money as well as a prohibitive $74.5 million salary-cap hit each of the next two seasons, and the clock is ticking. But Bisciotti is also looking for a new coach, one who can get through to and connect with Jackson in a way that it seems the previous regime no longer could. Here are the five biggest questions Bisciotti and DeCosta are facing. Why now? Amid Bisciotti’s eight-paragraph, 265-word statement announcing Harbaugh’s firing, there was plenty of praise but no explanation on why a change was needed. The Ravens had regressed each of the two past postseasons, there’s no denying that. The reasons are myriad, but the way in which Baltimore’s seasons came to an end has been startlingly familiar. As one source said before the news broke about Harbaugh’s firing, though, the Ravens were in need of just a “reset,” not an “overhaul.” The belief was that with one of the most talent-rich rosters in the NFL, they were closer to success than not, despite the issues that plagued them this year. Now, the overhaul has arrived. How much influence did Lamar Jackson have in John Harbaugh’s firing? In the NBA, superstars wield significant power and there are endless examples of players getting coaches ousted. That happens far less frequently in the NFL, in which 53 players make up a roster and one player has less sway on an outcome. Related Articles Ravens’ Todd Monken explains 2025 failure, defends John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson Who will coach the Ravens in 2026? Grok AI picks an offensive mind. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to speak with media for 1st time since 2022 Ravens coaching search: DraftKings shares odds for Harbaugh replacements Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law The exception, of course, is the quarterback, which is the most important position in American sports. Did Jackson not want Harbaugh back? Surely no one would come out and say that in almost any endeavor. But Bisciotti is also paying Jackson to be the face of the franchise, and if an extension is worked out he figures to be the highest-paid quarterback again, so changing coaches isn’t something the Ravens are doing without any input from their biggest star and most important player. Who will be the coach and what kind of coach do the Ravens want? Harbaugh is an establishment coach. He operated more like a CEO. He’s also 63 years old, well past the average age of today’s NFL coaches. Will the Ravens hire someone inexperienced but on the rise — as they did with Harbaugh nearly two decades ago when they tapped him from relative obscurity as the Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator and then defensive backs coach — or will they go with a more established figure who has head coach experience? This coaching cycle doesn’t have the obvious young, hot-shot coordinator the way it did with now Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson or Seattle Seahawks coach and ex-Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Or perhaps that person is out there just in Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula or Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles during a Week 18 loss to the Steelers. It's unclear how much influence Jackson will have on Baltimore's coaching search, but the organization will need to find a new coach who works well with the superstar. (Matt Durisko/AP) How much say will Jackson have? See above. If the Ravens are hitching their immediate future to Jackson — and there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise, at least at the moment — then finding a coach who can both get through to and be on the same page with the 29-year-old quarterback is paramount. Otherwise, what was the point in making a change? Baltimore has also shown a willingness to cater to Jackson, signing wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins — two players Jackson asked for — in consecutive years. They also brought in cornerback and former college teammate Jaire Alexander. Beckham had 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. Hopkins had 22 receptions for 330 yards and two scores this season. Alexander appeared in two games and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in November before deciding to step away from football. How will the culture and structure change, if at all, going forward? Over the past 18 seasons, Harbaugh and the Ravens built a culture that was the envy of almost every organization around the league. That was obvious not just in the praise he, DeCosta and others received during that span but in the reaction around the league in the wake of Harbaugh getting fired. Many were surprised, including former NFL coach Tony Dungy, who flat out questioned the decision and said “good luck” finding a better coach in a post on X. Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh, shown with guard Daniel Faalele, is credited with helping build Baltimore's strong culture. (David Richard/AP) But with Harbaugh out, what will it mean for not just that culture but the organizational structure? Though DeCosta is the general manager, Harbaugh certainly had significant input on personnel decisions, both in the draft and with the roster as a whole. What will that look like with a new coach? Stay tuned, but it’s hard to imagine a young coach having much pull if Baltimore goes that direction, meaning that all the personnel decisions — good and bad — would be on DeCosta. These are also just some of the dozens of questions that Bisciotti and DeCosta will face Tuesday. Others will most certainly include those about Jackson’s contract status and if he’ll remain in Baltimore, what the Ravens need to do to finally get back to the Super Bowl and how much longer Bisciotti wants to own the team. What answers there will be remains to be seen. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken didn’t sugarcoat anything. He had a blunt assessment of Baltimore’s 2025 season: It was a collective failure. Speaking Thursday night on the “Ryan Ripken Show,” Monken addressed the firing of John Harbaugh and pushed back against claims that placed blame on any one person or group. “The bottom line was it was all of us,” Monken said. “At the end of the day, it wasn’t good enough. But I can tell you this, it wasn’t from a lack of — from our players, in terms of the effort they gave every day or staff.” Monken dismissed “outside noise” and “leaked” narratives about tension between players and coaches, calling them overblown — and, in some cases, driven by what draws attention. He said that storylines that frame situations as either “elite” or “effed up” often win out for clicks, even though frustration inside a locker room is inevitable over the course of a season. “The players are frustrated with the play calling. Well, no [crap],” Monken said. “My wife is.” He said that he never witnessed issues between quarterback Lamar Jackson and Harbaugh, or between Harbaugh and the rest of the roster, describing those reports as “news to me.” Monken also denied reports of a rift between himself and Jackson. “Lamar and I, to me, had a good relationship,” Monken said. “Could it have been better? Of course. Lamar and I never had an issue. I don’t know where that comes from.” “Why can’t people just say we didn’t get it done?” he added. Monken said that he believed that the organization was positioned for a simple “reset” rather than sweeping change. In his view, the Ravens weren’t far from contending, even if the season never matched the lofty Super Bowl expectations. He pointed to underlying efficiency metrics: Baltimore finished first in rushing yards per play and seventh in points per play. He saw a team that was “closer than it would appear.” “Lamar and I, to me, had a good relationship,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “Could it have been better? Of course." (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Part of the frustration, Monken said, is what comes with the job at the NFL’s highest level. He recalled a message from a friend in the business after he and the staff were let go: “Not many jobs are paid $3-plus-million a year let you get away with little or no pressure headaches,” Monken read. “Unfortunately, they make you earn it.” Monken said that Baltimore started the season playing “really well” offensively. The team averaged 32.8 points in the first four games. When Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury in October is when Monken felt that the unit “really was never the same” until late in the year. Even then, he said, the Ravens never consistently “fired on all cylinders,” citing issues finishing drives and converting in the red zone and on third down. The Ravens averaged 22.5 points over their final 13 games and finished with the league’s fifth-worst red-zone touchdown percentage. While Monken, who just completed his third season with the team, has not been formally dismissed by the Ravens, he spoke as if his tenure in Baltimore is over — which typically occurs with a head coaching change. Related Articles Who will coach the Ravens in 2026? Grok AI picks an offensive mind. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to speak with media for 1st time since 2022 Ravens coaching search: DraftKings shares odds for Harbaugh replacements Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. “I’m not bitter, I’m grateful,” said Monken, who received a request to interview for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job. “I love it here. Love the people here, and I wish them nothing but the best and Lamar.” Monken also pushed back on the idea that coaching messages “got stale,” calling Harbaugh one of the best leaders he’s worked with. He praised Harbaugh’s consistency and preparation — including what Monken described as Harbaugh’s daily routine of arriving early and working out — and said that Harbaugh has a rare ability to confront issues that get in the way of winning without making it personal or divisive. “He’s the same every day,” Monken said. “His message and his consistency and his ability to confront anything that gets in the way of winning football … is unique.” Monken called the notion that Harbaugh’s message stopped resonating after 18 years “an easy cop-out,” saying that the accountability falls on everyone when a team falls short of its goals. Monken closed by reflecting on his time in Baltimore, pointing to a high point and a low point that still sticks with him. He cited a late-2023 season win over Miami in his first year, a game that clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and led to a moment of celebration on the field, as one of his favorites. But he also pointed to the 2023 AFC title game loss to Kansas City as the regret he’ll carry. “I wish I would have called it better,” Monken said. “Wish I would have trusted the run game better. Wish I would have put us in a better position.” Unfortunately for Monken, it was the closest the Ravens have come to a Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era. The loss, another postseason stumble in Buffalo the following year, and a season that ended without a playoff berth combined to accelerate the changes the organization made earlier this week. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

We asked Grok AI who the Ravens would pick in the first round ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, and the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot selected Malaki Starks. Lo and behold, the Ravens went on to draft the safety out of Georgia. We’re going back to the well. Who will coach the Ravens in 2026 after the team fired John Harbaugh? “If I had to pick the Ravens’ next head coach, I’d go with Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator,” Grok AI said. “Lamar Jackson is a generational talent in his prime, and the biggest criticism of the Harbaugh era in recent years has been failing to build an offense that consistently maximizes his dual-threat ability — especially in the playoffs.” Kubiak is among the coaches expected to interview with Baltimore. He spent 2021 leading the Vikings’ offense and 2024 in an offensive coordinator position with the Saints before joining the Seahawks this season. Seattle’s offense ranks eighth in the NFL in both total and scoring offense in 2025 with Sam Darnold at quarterback. Seattle’s defense, led by defensive coordinator Aden Durde and coach Mike Macdonald, might be the more impressive unit. It ranks No. 1 in the NFL in scoring defense, but the Seahawks are among the NFL’s most complete teams. Pro Football Focus grades Seattle’s offense as the fourth best in the NFL, and the Seahawks rank second in the NFL in runs of 20 yards or more. Only Baltimore, which put up 25, has more. “Kubiak’s scheme in Seattle this season has been explosive: heavy pre-snap motion, wide-zone running, a balanced mix of under-center and shotgun plays, and creative ways to get playmakers the ball in space,” Grok AI said. “Sam Darnold looked like a Pro Bowler under him, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded as a receiver. That style translates perfectly to Jackson’s mobility and arm talent, potentially unlocking another level for the Ravens’ attack while keeping Todd Monken (if retained) or building around similar principles.” Grok, ever aware of readily available information on the internet, also likes Kubiak’s family history in Baltimore. Klint Kubiak’s father, Gary, was previously the offensive coordinator for the Ravens. “Baltimore loves continuity and culture fits, and Klint is already drawing heavy interest across the league (multiple interview requests reported),” Grok AI added. “He’s young (38), innovative, and offensive-minded, which feels like the fresh direction the team needs after years of defensive-heavy identity under Harbaugh.” Who else might be in the mix to replace Harbaugh after 18 seasons? Former Ravens assistants Anthony Weaver and Jesse Minter top Grok’s list. “Runners-up for me would be Anthony Weaver (familiarity, defensive stability, Ravens ties) or Jesse Minter (hot name, innovative D from the Macdonald tree), but prioritizing offense around Lamar tips it to Kubiak. The search is early — no hire yet as of January 8 — but he’s my guy.” Starks was Grok’s guy before the draft. Will the AI chatbot go 2-for-2 with Ravens prognostications? Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. Related Articles Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to speak with media for 1st time since 2022 Ravens coaching search: DraftKings shares odds for Harbaugh replacements Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. Ravens coach interview tracker: Robert Saleh, Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver, Vance Joseph among requests View the full article

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Under Armour Performance Center. Following the firing of coach John Harbaugh earlier this week, it will be the first time Bisciotti speaks to outside media since the 2022 NFL owners meetings. The owner hasn’t held a news conference at the Ravens’ team headquarters in Owings Mills since early 2018. Bisciotti, who gained a majority stake of the franchise in 2004, labeled the decision to fire Harbaugh as one of striving “to consistently perform at the highest level.” Harbaugh won Super Bowl 47 with the Ravens in 2013, but won just four playoff games since then. Baltimore’s 2023 and 2024 seasons ended in playoff heartbreak, and it went from preseason Super Bowl favorites in 2025 to missing the postseason entirely. “We now begin the challenging, but exciting, process of identifying the next leader of our football team,” Bisciotti said in a statement Tuesday. “We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount.” Harbaugh was one of six candidates interviewed by the Ravens in 2008 before his hiring, and is expected to garner head coaching interviews by multiple teams this offseason. It has been reported he will not take interviews until next week. There are currently seven head coaching vacancies, excluding Baltimore. Baltimore completed its first head coaching interview Thursday with Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and will speak with Denver quarterback coach Davis Webb later in the afternoon. The Ravens have also requested to speak with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens coaching search: DraftKings shares odds for Harbaugh replacements Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. Ravens coach interview tracker: Robert Saleh, Brian Flores among requests What’s next for former Ravens coach John Harbaugh? Likely another NFL job. View the full article

Plenty of people have opinions about who the Ravens should hire to replace longtime coach John Harbaugh, who was fired Tuesday. DraftKings, a sportsbook, put odds to some of the candidate names floated by fans and analysts alike. There are a few obvious options to land the job, namely Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. He’s familiar with the organization, having worked as an assistant for Baltimore from 2017 through 2020. He helped Michigan win a national championship as its defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh, and he now works for Jim as the defensive coordinator for a stingy Los Angeles defense. It’s no surprise that DraftKings lists Minter as the favorite to secure the job with odds of +350. He’s the co-favorite with former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who was fired after the 2025 season. Stefanski was the AP’s NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023 and could thrive in a stable organization such as Baltimore’s. Other names floated include Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak — his dad, Gary, used to be Baltimore’s offensive coordinator — and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, among others. Klint Kubiak holds +500 odds to earn the job, with Flores listed at +450. Kubiak’s Seahawks are the NFC’s No. 1 seed after posting a 14-3 record in the regular season behind an efficient offense and dominant defense. Flores’ Vikings defense is known for its aggressiveness and ranks third in the NFL in total defense. He was previously a head coach with the Dolphins, but he failed to reach the postseason in three seasons. DraftKings also has a few wild-card names included on its odds board. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is given +450 odds, but his return in any capacity would be viewed as a shock. Baltimore’s offense regressed in 2025, and it’s highly unlikely that ownership went away from Harbaugh to give Monken the gig. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr holds +3000 odds to land the job, giving him the same chance as Phillip Rivers, who spent the end of 2025 as the Colts’ starting quarterback. It’s highly unlikely either of those happen, of course. Baltimore’s defense struggled in 2025, and Rivers only has experience coaching at the high school level. Mike McCarthy holds +500 odds. Would the Ravens want to hire someone who spent 2025 out of coaching after a failed stint with Dallas? McCarthy does have a Super Bowl ring from his time coaching Green Bay and more than 180 career wins, but the Ravens just fired a coach with more than 180 career wins for not getting over the hump. McCarthy sounds like more of the same. What about Bill Belichick? The current North Carolina coach is a six-time Super Bowl champion from his time with the Patriots and began his coaching career as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. The odds say it’d be a stunner. Belichick, who failed to take the Tar Heels to a bowl game in 2025, holds +7500 odds to land the gig. If the Ravens thought Harbaugh’s message might have grown stale, hiring Belichick would be a surprising twist. Belichick doesn’t land among the 10 names with the shortest odds to become the next Baltimore coach: Kevin Stefanski, +350 Jesse Minter, +350 Brian Flores, +450 Todd Monken, +450 Mike McCarthy, +500 Klint Kubiak, +500 Chris Shula, +600 Kliff Kingsbury, +600 Joe Brady, +700 Jeff Hafley, +700 Whoever Baltimore picks to replace Harbaugh has big shoes to fill, as the coach won nearly 200 games in Baltimore, including a Super Bowl. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. Related Articles Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. Ravens coach interview tracker: Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver among requests What’s next for former Ravens coach John Harbaugh? Likely another NFL job. Ravens coach history: Here’s what happened the last time they made a hire View the full article

Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. Preston and Coleman discuss Baltimore’s decision to fire longtime coach John Harbaugh. Who might the Ravens hire to replace him? What went wrong during his tenure? Preston and Coleman break down the situation. You can watch the podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey wrote on X, “John Harbaugh. A good man.” Defensive end Brent Urban offered similar praise, pecking out, “Much love to Harbs. Best coach I ever had. It was an honor and a privilege.” Most of Baltimore’s players, many of whom were in the process of returning home or headed on vacation or getting back to life in a non-playoff world, did not have a reaction on social media to Harbaugh’s firing as the news broke early Tuesday evening. That included quarterback Lamar Jackson. On Wednesday, in his first Instagram post since owner Steve Bisciotti’s announcement that he had relieved the 18-year head coach of his duties, Jackson did post a series of photos of himself from the course of the season. He also posted an Instagram story that showed a photo of him from his arrival at Acrisure Stadium with the song “Comin out Strong” by Future. Trying to assign meaning to Jackson’s post is a fool’s errand, but when Jackson was asked after Sunday night’s loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh if he would like to see the only coach he’s ever had return, the frustrated two-time NFL Most Valuable Player did not reply in the affirmative. Instead, he said he was “caught up” in the defeat and “can’t focus on that right now,” adding that he was stunned and still trying to process what just happened. What role Jackson played in the decision not to bring Harbaugh back isn’t clear — and might never fully be — but all of this played out swiftly and with only a statement from Bisciotti and a couple of posts on the team’s X account. Neither Bisciotti nor general manager Eric DeCosta have spoken with reporters and it was clear that this wasn’t a mutual parting of ways, which is often the case for a coach with Harbaugh’s experience and resume. It’s also unlikely Baltimore made this move without at least some input from its highest-paid star who plays the most important position in the sport, particularly as contact extension talks linger. It is, after all, a quarterbacks league — something Harbaugh is acutely aware of and one of the reasons the New York Giants and Jaxson Dart make a lot of sense. What is obvious is that Bisciotti and to an extent general manager Eric DeCosta felt the need to make a change, and they likely made that decision with a potential replacement already in mind, particularly with a talent-rich roster and the 65-year-old owner’s desire to win now. So, who might replace Harbaugh? We put together a list of candidates on Tuesday. A day later, some of those names are percolating more than others, none more so than Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Minter to Baltimore feels like such an obvious choice that perhaps it will end up being as simple as the 42-year-old becoming just the fourth coach in the 30-year history of the franchise. There are plenty of plausible reasons why he could be a good fit, too. For one, there is familiarity. Minter, who is also the son of longtime college and NFL coach Rick Minter, was a defensive assistant in Baltimore from 2017 to 2018 before being promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2019 before moving up the ranks to defensive backs coach in 2020. He then left to become defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2021 and was Michigan’s defensive coordinator under Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim from 2022 through 2023. In February of last year, he was hired to run the Chargers defense. In his two years in Los Angeles — which might as well be referred to as Ravens West with all the former Baltimore players and employees, including their current general manager Joe Hortiz, who have gone there — he has quickly turned around a defense that was one of the worst before his arrival to a top-10 unit the past two seasons. That he has done so with less talent than what Baltimore has makes it that much more impressive. Related Articles Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens coach interview tracker: Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver among requests What’s next for former Ravens coach John Harbaugh? Ravens coach history: Here’s what happened the last time they made a hire Trump supports fired Ravens coach John Harbaugh on social media: ‘TOTAL WINNERS!!!’ For a team flush with talent that was the favorite to win the Super Bowl going into this season, it would also make sense to not completely blow things up and instead have at least some continuity, particularly with Minter’s proclivity for turning defenses around. Just three seasons ago, Baltimore had the best defense in the NFL in terms of sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Minter could help restore that while also offering a fresh voice that could perhaps resonate with the team’s young players, and particularly the quarterback. But Baltimore, which figures to be the most attractive destination among the seven current openings, could choose to perhaps go a different direction, too. Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are among other notable assistants who have drawn interest around the league as well. Kubiak, as well as former Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver, are among those the team has requested to interview. Shula, 39, is of course the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, who coached the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969, including a championship in 1968. A product of the Sean McVay coaching tree, Chris Shula is viewed as a fast riser and has quickly turned the Rams’ defense into one of the most formidable in the NFL. Kliff Kingsbury, shown in early 2025, is a possible candidate to become the Ravens' new coach. He spent the past season leading the Washington Commanders' offense. (Gareth Patterson/AP) Kingsbury, 46, and Washington surprisingly parted ways after just two seasons, which included Jayden Daniels’ breakout rookie campaign and an appearance in the NFC championship game in 2024. He also has a lot of quarterback credentials, having worked with Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes in college along with Kyler Murray when he was the coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Flores, 44, of course was the coach of the Dolphins when Miami upset the Ravens in 2021 by blitzing Jackson into oblivion. His record in three seasons was one game below .500 and included zero postseason appearances, but Miami has had its share of organizational struggles, too. The Vikings’ defense has flourished since Flores was hired as their coordinator in 2023 and he is another coach with a strong voice. Kubiak, 38, meanwhile, represents more familiarity. He is the son of former Ravens offense coordinator Gary Kubiak, who helped pilot Baltimore to one of its and quarterback Joe Flacco’s best seasons in 2014. In his first year in Seattle under former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, quarterback Sam Darnold was selected to the Pro Bowl and the Seahawks finished 14-3 and as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Whatever direction the Ravens go, the new coach will have to be on the same page as Jackson. And as talented as Baltimore is, Harbaugh’s shoes won’t be easy to fill. The Ravens made the playoffs each of his first five seasons when Bisciotti hired him in 2008 and went on to win a Super Bowl along with reaching the AFC championship game four times. That’s in the past, though, and it likely won’t be too long until the Ravens find their next coach, whoever it might be. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Less than 24 hours after firing John Harbaugh following 18 seasons, the Ravens are well under way in their search for a new coach. Baltimore has requested permission to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, according to NFL Network, and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Both are familiar faces with ties to the organization. Klint Kubiak Kubiak, 38, is the son of former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who was with Baltimore for one season in 2014. That year, quarterback Joe Flacco completed 62.1% of his his passes for 3,896 yards and 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. The Ravens also ranked in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories, including points scored (409) and total yards (5,838). This season, Klint Kubiak, in his first year of calling plays under former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, helped guide Sam Darnold to a Pro Bowl selection and Seattle to a 14-3 record and the top seed in the NFC. Anthony Weaver Weaver, 46 and a former defensive end who was second-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2002, spent four seasons in Baltimore. He was also their defensive line coach and run game coordinator from 2022 to 2023 and the defensive line coach/assistant head coach in 2023 before leaving for Miami. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. What’s next for former Ravens coach John Harbaugh? Ravens coach history: Here’s what happened the last time they made a hire Trump supports fired Ravens coach John Harbaugh on social media: ‘TOTAL WINNERS!!!’ View the full article

When there’s an available name with the gravitas and resume like John Harbaugh, the coaching carousel can spin quickly. Several teams with active coaches have already inquired. ESPN reported that nearly a quarter of the league’s teams called Harbaugh’s agent, Bryan Harlan, within 45 minutes of the Ravens firing their longtime coach. Among those teams in the market for a new leader is the New York Giants, who fired Brian Daboll in November after a 2-8 start. They reportedly wasted no time getting on the phone. From the Giants’ perspective, they look in the mirror and see a team 60 games under .500 since 2016, the last time they won at least 10 games. Then they look at Harbaugh, a pillar of stability who is 41 games over .500 in that same span. New York has tried and failed with four coaches since Tom Coughlin won a pair of Super Bowl titles. Stability is a priority. Harbaugh could be drawn to the Big Apple (New Jersey, more accurately) because of his appreciation for the history of the sport. His dad Jack was a college coach at Western Kentucky for many years while his brother, Jim, played and coaches in the NFL. The football family instilled a deep appreciation for the past. With that, Harbaugh sees the Giants as a legacy franchise carrying the kind of reputation that he’d likely prefer over a newer team with less investment. Harbaugh has a strong relationship with Giants president, CEO and co-owner John Mara. And New York isn’t completely bereft of talent. There’s a talented young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, a fiery rookie running back named Cam Skattebo and a foundation worth building on — those are important factors in Harbaugh’s decision-making process. The Giants also won all four of their Super Bowls with coaches of the same archetype as Harbaugh. Coughlin and Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, like Harbaugh, were equal parts passionate and dignified. It’s no surprise that New York is on a full-court press for another. Asked who the Giants should consider to be their next coach, wide receiver Darius Slayton told local reporters, “Somebody that’s Tom Coughlin-esque. I feel like he brought a lot of things to this organization. I think it’s no mistake why he won when he was here. “It was his personality and the way he went about his business. I think it takes a certain type of person to be a head coach in New York. It’s a tough job, obviously comes with a lot of scrutiny. But I think you need to have a certain disposition to get the job done effectively, and I feel like [Coughlin] probably embodies a lot of the qualities that we require now.” Harbaugh built a career record of 193-124 in Baltimore over 18 seasons, one of which ended hoisting a Lombardi Trophy. Although his tenure ended with a trifecta of Super Bowl-caliber teams sent home on one devastating play, he was the image of perennial contention in the NFL; an envy of the league. Now another team will have a shot at what Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti described as “a steadfast pillar of humility and leadership.” Harbaugh could certainly sit out a year, take a TV gig and wait for his pick of the litter in the next coaching cycle. But it seems more likely he’s eager to get back in the ring. On Wednesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said on the “Rich Eisen Show” that he believes that Harbaugh “will be very successful” if he chooses to coach elsewhere, but in today’s NFL, there’s “not a lot of patience in the entertainment component of what it is that we do. There’s just not a lot of longevity.” Jim Harbaugh told Chargers reporters that his older brother will be a head coach somewhere next year. “John is the best coach I know, the best coach I’ve ever seen,” he said Wednesday. “Whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable, and I just hope it’s in the NFC.” Geographically, the Browns would make sense. Harbaugh was born and spent part of his childhood in Toledo, Ohio. He grew up a Browns fan. Both his parents are from the Cleveland area. The AFC North rival would open up their wallet to land who would be their most high-profile coach in years. It could also mean a bi-annual reunion with the Ravens. The Titans would likely be willing to grant Harbaugh the most power of any interested franchise. Harbaugh, a CEO coach in Baltimore, would be a welcomed hire for the rocky three-win team in Tennessee. He’d also have his former defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson as his defensive coordinator. Harbaugh showed interest in replacing Mike Macdonald with Wilson before hiring Zach Orr. Like New York, the Titans have a talented young quarterback in former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and Harbaugh’s personality would mess well in Nashville. Related Articles Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. Ravens coach interview tracker: Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver among requests Ravens coach history: Here’s what happened the last time they made a hire Trump supports fired Ravens coach John Harbaugh on social media: ‘TOTAL WINNERS!!!’ Since Tuesday evening, there’s been smoke wafting from Miami. Could the Dolphins move on from Mike McDaniel in favor of Harbaugh? Owner Stephen Ross, who has a close relationship with the former Ravens coach, already chose to retain McDaniel and fire general manger Chris Grier this season. Harbaugh’s firing has a chance to sway Miami decision makers. Ross has owned the Dolphins since 2009. In that span, the team hasn’t won a playoff game or a division title. They’ve tanked and tried to rebuild four times. Even with pieces of a talented roster, they’ve never been true contenders. The Dolphins would love a coach like Harbaugh who could at least coach them into contention. But are they willing to part ways with McDaniel, who seems a better fit in Miami than the guy 20 years his senior? Harbaugh’s Baltimore tenure ran its course. By all accounts, despite how it ended, he had a successful run that put him in fringe gold jacket territory. Now, one-fourth of the league is lining up for Harbaugh. He could be find a new home any day now. The carousel moves quickly. Baltimore Sun reporter Brian Wacker contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

“I think this might be our man,” a reporter uttered. A then-45-year-old John Harbaugh emerged from the Under Armour Performance Center wearing a black suit and light blue tie on Jan. 8, 2008, greeting reporters as he completed his first interview with Baltimore. At the time, Harbaugh was a relatively unknown special teams coach with Philadelphia. He was the sixth and final candidate interviewed by the Ravens for their head coaching position — and the only one who was neither a coordinator nor an assistant head coach from another franchise. Ten days later, Harbaugh returned for a second interview and accepted the job that same day on Jan. 18. “I can’t wait to get started. It’s an opportunity I want to make the most of,” Harbaugh told the Delaware County Times in Pennsylvania. “I’m going to do everything possible to be successful.” After firing Harbaugh 18 years later, the Ravens are now searching for the franchise’s fourth coach — this time with a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player already on the roster. With Lamar Jackson in place, the stakes are higher. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired coach Brian Billick on Dec. 31, 2007, after Billick’s nine seasons with the team. Billick, who won Super Bowl 35 with the franchise in 2001, finished 5-11 a year after signing a four-year contract — his worst record with the club — and was fired one day after the season ended. “In order to be successful you have to take chances, and in order to take chances you have to listen to your heart. You have to go with your gut,” Bisciotti said. “It doesn’t mean that you don’t fear being wrong, because I do fear being wrong. I could be three coaches past Brian Billick nine years from now trying to solve this puzzle.” The Ravens’ search committee met the following day, consisting of Bisciotti, then-team president Dick Cass, then-general manager Ozzie Newsome and then-director of college scouting and current general manager Eric DeCosta. On Jan. 2, the team requested permission to interview four assistants still in the playoffs: Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and assistant head coach Tony Sparano, Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Only McDaniels declined interest in the position. Baltimore later requested permission to speak with Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who instead received a contract extension with the Browns. At the time, four teams were searching for new head coaches: Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington and Miami. While many teams traveled to meet candidates still in the playoffs, Baltimore instead flew them to its $32 million team headquarters, which opened in 2004. Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxCoach John Harbaugh hugs owner Steve Bisciotti after the Ravens won the Super Bowl against the 49ers in February 2013. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Cass personally picked up candidates upon their arrival in Baltimore and drove them to the facility. Newsome then led a tour before candidates met with the search committee for two to three hours. Vice president of medical services and head trainer Bill Tessendorf would drive them back to the airport. Caldwell was the first to meet with the team Jan. 4, then Garrett and Sparano the next day. Recently fired defensive coordinator Rex Ryan interviewed on Jan. 6 — the only in-house candidate considered. New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer met next on Jan. 7. Harbaugh had his first interview the following day. It quickly emerged that Garrett was the Ravens’ top candidate. After the Cowboys were upset by the Giants in the NFC divisional round on Jan. 13, Garrett flew to Baltimore for a second interview the next day. That night, Garrett and his wife, Brill, had dinner with the Bisciotti family and other members of the organization. Related Articles Watch Episode 20 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Who will be Ravens next coach? Expect QB Lamar Jackson to have input. Ravens coach interview tracker: Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver among requests What’s next for former Ravens coach John Harbaugh? Trump supports fired Ravens coach John Harbaugh on social media: ‘TOTAL WINNERS!!!’ The Ravens met with him for seven hours the following day. Garrett was not swayed. He left for a second meeting with the Falcons. Even after meeting with Atlanta, Dallas managed to keep its offensive coordinator following a late-night meeting with owner Jerry Jones, a new contract and promotion to assistant head coach. “We did negotiate with Jason Garrett to become our head coach,” the Ravens said in a statement. “In the end, he decided to stay in Dallas. We’re continuing our second round of interviews. We’re excited with the candidates and confident we will select the best head coach for the Ravens.” On Jan. 18 and one day after Garrett decided to stay in Dallas, Harbaugh met with Ravens brass again. This time, after about eight and a half hours, he accepted the job. Harbaugh said that he didn’t view himself as a second choice at all. He stressed the label was “irrelevant” to him — he saw the job simply as an opportunity, respected the other candidates and felt fortunate to be the one chosen. Bisciotti again framed the hire as a necessary risk and said his confidence in Harbaugh only grew through the interview process. “I said three weeks ago you have to take chances to be successful. You have to be willing to do things that the masses wouldn’t do, or I don’t think you will be able to separate yourself from the masses,” Bisciotti said. “Is it a little bit more of a perceived chance? Yeah, but the time we spent with John Harbaugh gave me a comfort level that we hired the right guy,” he added. “You go with your instincts, and I have pretty good instincts.” Of the candidates interviewed, Harbaugh went on to have the most successful career. Garrett spent 10 seasons in Dallas without reaching a conference championship game. Sparano lasted four seasons as Miami’s head coach. Schottenheimer went 7-9-1 in his first season as a head coach in Dallas in 2025. Ryan reached two conference championship games with the Jets but was fired after six seasons and a 50-52 record. Caldwell lost Super Bowl 44 in his first season with the Colts in 2009 and did not win another playoff game over six seasons with the Colts and Detroit Lions. And Bisciotti is betting on himself again 18 years later. In a statement Tuesday announcing Harbaugh’s dismissal, he framed the decision as one rooted in championship expectations and the belief that the organization must continue striving at the highest level. The coach had won just four playoff games since winning Super Bowl 47 in 2013, and his team went from preseason favorites to missing the postseason. “Our goal has always been and will always be to win Championships. We strive to consistently perform at the highest level on the field and be a team and organization our fans take pride in,” Bisciotti said. “We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount.” This time, the gamble comes with a championship window already open — and far less room for error. Archived reporting from NFL.com, Ravens.com, Russell Street Report, ESPN and The Baltimore Sun was used for this story. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump weighed in on the firing of longtime Ravens coach John Harbaugh. “HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST,” the president wrote via his social media platform, Truth Social. “HE AND HIS BROTHER ARE TOTAL WINNERS!!!” Trump signed off the post “President DJT,” which insinuates he wrote the post rather than a staff member who helps run his social media accounts. The post came unsurprisingly, considering Trump’s propensity to support those who return the favor (last summer, he told an Atlanta crowd, “I only like people who like me”). Still, Trump is right about the expectation that the recently fired Harbaugh could be hired quickly. ESPN reported there were teams lining up to call his agent within an hour of Tuesday night’s news. Trump does have a relationship with the Harbaugh family to some degree. John and his brother Jim, who coaches the Los Angeles Chargers, visited Trump’s White House in mid-July. When John was asked about it, he called the experience “awesome” and promised to “root for our President.” He said, “I want our President to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful, and I want my team to be successful.” Jim told local reporters, “I mean, who gets invited to the White House with eight other family members and doesn’t go? Nobody.” John hasn’t shied away from addressing the divisive president in recent years. After one August practice in 2015, Harbaugh backed one of the Trump campaign’s main talking points: the idea to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. “I’m going Trump here,” Harbaugh said, pledging his support. Two years later, Harbaugh stood by his players who chose to kneel during the national anthem before a game in London. Trump said earlier that year he believed any player who participated in the silent protest should be fired while Harbaugh called it “a really good thing.” Neither John nor Jim publicly endorsed a presidential candidate in 2024. Both also made separate visits to the White House during President Barack Obama’s second term. Add the sitting president to the list of people voicing their support for Harbaugh in the aftermath of a significant organizational decision in Baltimore. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles John Harbaugh through the years | PHOTOS Steelers fans donate to charity supported by Ravens’ Tyler Loop: ‘Feel bad’ Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ Tyler Loop missed. He deserves grace. | COMMENTARY Josh Tolentino: Ravens must find right coach to pair with Lamar Jackson | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens make the right call firing John Harbaugh | COMMENTARY View the full article

Baltimore Ravens hold press conference for their pre-draft media luncheon. L-R Head coach John Harbaugh, general manger Ozzie Newsome, and executive vice president and Eric DeCosta, director of college scouting. April 15, 2008. Baltimore Sun staff photo by Lloyd Fox Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during the teams first mini-camp practice. May 9, 2008. Baltimore Sun staff photo by Lloyd Fox Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during the teams first mini-camp practice. May 9, 2008. Baltimore Sun staff photo by Lloyd Fox The first preseason game of the 2008-2009 season pits the Baltimore Ravens against the New England Patriots. Ravens first year coach John Harbaugh (R) chats with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the start of the first preseason game. August 7, 2008. Sun staffBaltimore Ravens introduced their number one pick in the first round of the 2008 draft, the 6'6" tall quarterback Joe Flacco, of University of Delaware, during a press conference. Flacco with team jersey and team officials, head coach John Harbaugh, general manager Ozzie Newsome, and director of scouting Eric DeCosta, at the team's Owings Mills facilities. April 27, 2008. Staff photo by Kenneth K. Lam Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is introduced with his assistants during a celebration at M&T bank Stadium after the team's Super Bowl win. February 5, 2013. Sun staff photo Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh, Ravens' Owner Steve Bisciotti and former Raven Ray Lewis share a laugh during the teams practice. Baltimore Ravens hold their first public practice of the season at M&T Bank Stadium. July 28, 2014. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun. Opposing coaches Jim and John Harbaugh stand together before the start of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens vs. the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. February 3, 2013. Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun Ravens Joe Flacco and head coach John Harbaugh celebrate their victory with the crowd. Baltimore Ravens vs. the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. January 20, 2013. Gene Sweeney Jr./ Baltimore Sun Michael Oher's introductory news conferenceBaltimore Sun photo by Amy DavisThe Ravens introduce first-round pick Michael Oher Sunday in Owings Mills. From left, coach John Harbaugh, Oher, general manager Ozzie Newsome, and director of player personnel Eric DeCosta. Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore SunRavens head coach John Harbaugh, left, rides in a golf cart with team owner Stephen Bisciotti after practice on last day of mandatory minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center in 2015. Lloyd Fox / Baltimore SunRavens head coach John Harbaugh talks with Ray Lewis on the sidelines following the Broncos first series in the game that became known as the Mile High Miracle in 2013. The Ravens won 38-35. Baltimore Sun staff photo by Lloyd Fox Kenneth K. Lam / MCTBaltimore head coach John Harbaugh, left, high fives fans after the Ravens game against San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2012, in San Diego. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Diego Chargers, 16-13 in overtime. Kenneth K. Lam/ Baltimore Sun staff Karl Merton Ferron / McClatchy-TribuneBaltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh puts his hands on his head in disbelief as quarterback Joe Flacco (5) heads for the bench following a pass attempt that failed to find the end zone in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013. The Bengals defeated the Ravens, 34-17. Christopher T. Assaf / Baltimore SunWalking down a cleared path on the sideline, Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with coaches before deciding not to throw the challenge flag after a play in the first quarter of a 29-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 8, 2013. Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxJohn Harbaugh hugs owner Steve Bisciotti after the Ravens won the Super Bowl after defeating the 49ers. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun staff Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore SunPresident Barack Obama is given a jersey from head coach John Harbaugh during a visit of the Super Bowl XLVII Champion Baltimore Ravens at the White House Wednesday, Jun. 5, 2013. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun staff Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore SunRavens' head coach John Harbaugh (shown) and brother Jim held their joint press conference on Friday in New Orleans before the Super Bowl. Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunRavens' head coach John Harbaugh and former Raven Steve Smith Sr. share a laugh before the game. Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears preseason exhibition game at Tom Benson Stadium. Kim Hairston / Baltimore SunRavens head coach John Harbaugh leads fans in a cheer before leaving M&T Bank Stadium for City Hall for the beginning of the Super Bowl parade. Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunRavens head coach John Harbaugh celebrates after victory over the Browns by score of 26 to 24 to win the AFC North Championship at M & T Bank Stadium. Kevin Richardson / Baltimore SunFormer longtime NFL players RB Willis McGahee will officially retire as a Baltimore Ravens. McGahee, right, talks with Ravens coach John Harbaugh and shared a few laughs about his time with the Ravens. Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNSRavens coach John Harbaugh, left, talks with former Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs after a game Sept. 15, 2019. Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun staff Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore SunBaltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh conducts practice at M & T Bank Stadium during 2020 training camp. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore SunRavens head coach John Harbaugh hugs Lamar Jackson after the win. Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs NFL football at M&T Bank Stadium. Sept. 19, 2021. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun staff Kevin Richardson / Baltimore SunFrom left, Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, coach John Harbaugh, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum and general manager Eric DeCosta pose for a photo Friday at an introductory news conference for first-round picks Hamilton and Linderbaum. Baltimore Sun photo by Kim HairstonBaltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with University of Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen and USNA head coach Ken Niumatalolo after the Ravens morning training camp at McDaniel College. Kevin Richardson / Baltimore SunBaltimore Ravens introduced their first-round draft pick Zay Flowers, second from left, standing with director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, left, head coach John Harbaugh, third from left, and executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta, right, during a news conference in Owings Mills, Md. Ravens at JetsJerry Jackson/Baltimore SunJets quarterback Joe Flacco meets Ravens coach John Harbaugh after the 2022 season opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh after beating the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) April 3, 2024: Ravens coach John Harbaugh speaks on developing leadership skills at the team’s 9th annual LIFT (Leading and Inspiring Females to Thrive) conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills. The group is made up of high school girls who are student-athletes. Sun staff photo Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore SunReady with his challenge flag, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches replays of Kevon Seymour (25) stopping a punt by Jordan Stout just short of the goal line against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter. Safety Malaki Starks, second from right, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with defensive coordinator Zack Orr, left, head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh, left rides with Stephen J. Bisciotti, majority owner of the club during practice at Baltimore’s training facility, for the upcoming NFL preseason game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry reacts in front of head coach John Harbaugh after fumbling the ball in the fourth quarter of game against the Lions. Sept. 22, 2025 (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head NFL coach John Harbaugh speaks following practice as the team prepare to host the 3-2 Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article