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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

Brian Mulholland didn’t watch Tyler Loop miss a 44-yard field goal attempt at the end of the Ravens’ 26-24 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night. He quickly learned what happened, though. As chairman of the board for the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation, Mulholland receives an email notification every time a donation is made. Late Sunday, his inbox began filling up — many of the contributions coming from Steelers fans after Reddit users pointed out that Loop had volunteered at a Thanksgiving food drive with the foundation in partnership with Weis Supermarkets. The donations continued into Monday morning, arriving steadily as criticism mounted on Loop’s social media accounts. By Tuesday night, Mulholland estimated more than $10,000 had been raised through roughly 500 donations — gestures fueled partly by rivalry, but also by empathy for a rookie kicker enduring a difficult moment. “The thing that hits me about this is Steelers and Ravens, you’re supposed to be such bitter rivals,” Mulholland said. “At the end of the day, both the fans did something nice. They looked out for their neighbor in need.” Loop’s kick ended Baltimore’s first losing season since 2021 and crowned Pittsburgh as AFC North champions. The Ravens fired coach John Harbaugh two days later, proving his miss costly. Loop volunteered for the foundation, which serves nine food pantries across the Washington area, by signing autographs for a $25 dollar gift card. Those gift cards were used to buy turkeys for food pantries. After Sunday’s game, many of the donations have come in the final score of $26.24, or $33 for his number or $30 for his successful field goals this season. “It’s been nuts since Sunday night,” Mulholland said. After Loop’s miss, thousands of vile comments filled the comment sections of he and his fiancée’s Instagram. “I deadass hope everyone you love starts getting picked off 1 by 1,” one comment read. “I pray your wife is cheating on you,” another read. “You will never walk the streets of bmore and feel safe again,” one user posted. Steelers fan Emily Householder-Stacey saw the comments, and said that many Pittsburgh fans on the Steelers’ subreddit felt bad about the harassment the rookie received. They wanted to donate to a charity of his in return. Yet, nobody could find a charity affiliated with him. Related Articles 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 NFL pundits react to Ravens firing coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons Ravens coach candidates: Who could potentially replace John Harbaugh? The 33-year-old first went to research if Loop had participated in My Cause My Cleats. He hadn’t. She then found a Facebook referencing Loop’s work with John S. Mulholland Family Foundation and posted onto the subreddit. “It says a lot about NFL fans and Pittsburgh Steelers fans that their reaction was to feel bad for him and want to do something to raise his spirits a little bit,” said Householder-Stacey, a Canton, Ohio, resident. Jaclyn Seguiti, a 34-year Pittsburgh fan, saw Householder-Stacey’s detective work and created another post to increase awareness of the foundation. The post has over 800 upvotes and 100 comments, with many saying that they donated. The effort mirrors one from last season after tight end Mark Andrews dropped a potential game-tying 2-point conversation attempt in the divisional round against Buffalo. Bills fans Nicholas Howard created a GoFundMe for Breakthrough T1D, a Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization that Andrews has been connected to. $146,624 has been raised since the GoFundMe was created. “I’m happy that the Steelers won and we’re moving on, but it’s just devastating to see and to know that he and his fiancée started getting death threats and all of this vile commentary that was thrown their way,” Seguiti said. “It’s just trying to make something good out of a negative situation. It’s just nice to see the fans come together in that way.” The John S. Mulholland Family Foundation, established in 2013 in honor of a WWII Navy hero and former FBI agent, serves 1,000 families annually and 15,000 people last year. The foundation is 100% volunteer-run, ensuring that every dollar donated goes directly to food. More donations can be made at the Mulholland Charities website. “Steeler fans and Ravens fans agreed to meet in the middle,” Mulholland said. “There’s hope for us as a people, isn’t there?” Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

Tyler Loop will live with his missed 44-yard field goal attempt that ended the Ravens’ season in Pittsburgh. That’s part of the job. What he shouldn’t have to live with is the avalanche of harassment that has followed, directed not just at him, but at the people he loves. An NFL kicker’s responsibility is brutally simple and unforgiving. Make it, and you’re the hero. Miss it, and you own the ending. Loop mishit the ball, catching a bit of the ground and sending it spinning wide right. Season over. That critical mistake deserves scrutiny. It should also welcome additional competition at the position when training camp opens. The Ravens should absolutely bring in another kicker and make Loop earn the job again. What often gets lost in these moments, though, is what comes next, and how players respond when the ending is theirs to wear. Last postseason, after Baltimore’s AFC divisional round loss in Buffalo, veteran tight end Mark Andrews did not speak publicly after a critical end zone drop and a fourth-quarter fumble. He wasn’t available postgame and he didn’t address his performance at the ensuing locker room clean-out day. Outside of an Instagram post, the entire offseason passed without a real-life explanation for his drop on a game-tying 2-point conversion attempt inside the final two minutes. Under similar circumstances of failure in a do-or-die spot, Loop chose a different path. Inside the visitors’ locker room Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, Loop bravely stood and answered 11 questions for nearly eight minutes. The rookie sixth-round draft pick explained exactly what went wrong technically. He described the moment he knew the kick was off, the instant his foot connected with the ball. Zero deflection. Full accountability. “The result didn’t match my process,” Loop said. “I’m super blessed to be here, and it’s been one of the most amazing experiences being kicker for the Ravens. It’s time to move forward and get back to work, so I can keep doing good things for Baltimore.” Loop also spoke about his teammates having his back, as long snapper Nick Moore and punter/holder Jordan Stout flanked him while he endured the spotlight. When I asked what he was reading at his locker moments after, Loop explained that he was rereading a prayer that he had written before the game. It was a reminder of faith and perspective, an excerpt from Romans 8, that he’s here to love on the people around him, to be a good teammate and steward the opportunity he’s been given, even when the moment hurts. “Just being placed in Baltimore with this team has been the biggest blessing of my life,” Loop said. “I’m super grateful for it. It’s been incredible, so I’m just reminding myself that, ‘Hey, God has my back even when stuff sucks.’” It was a thoughtful, humane moment. And it was all happening while something far darker brewed online. In the hours after the loss, Loop and his fiancée, Julia Otto, were on the receiving end of nonstop harassment across social media. Fans flooded the comments section of the couple’s joint Instagram post that celebrated their engagement. One message read, “Hope you get divorced.” Other nasty messages escalated further with threats. The volume on the post ballooned over 12,000 comments before the couple smartly shut off public replies altogether. The off-the-field threats directed at Loop’s family and fiancée are absurd. Related Articles Steelers fans donate to charity supported by Ravens’ Tyler Loop: ‘Feel bad’ Josh Tolentino: Ravens must find right coach to pair with Lamar Jackson | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens make the right call firing John Harbaugh | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens firing coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons Ravens coach candidates: Who could potentially replace John Harbaugh? Unfortunately, the fallout from Loop’s missed game-winning field goal attempt is part of the reality of social media. We live in a crazy world, one in which a missed kick can invite cruelty from people who have never met the person on the other end of it, in which anger travels faster than empathy and consequences feel optional behind a screen. My video of Loop’s news conference has generated nearly 4 million views across just Instagram and TikTok. One of the most engaged comments reads: “Can you walk us through the worst moment of your life in detail.” That’s exactly what he did. Back inside the visitors’ locker room, Loop was doing what fans of the NFL’s multi-billion dollar empire often say they want from athletes in moments of failure. He absolutely owned it. Outside, the response quickly veered away from criticism and into something personal and dangerous. It’s unacceptable. Loop addressing his mistake does nothing to absolve him of his missed kick. None of it guarantees his future, either, after Loop led the league in kickoff infractions with eight. But the 24-year-old from Lucas, Texas, deserves some off-field grace. The game and Baltimore’s season ended in Pittsburgh. The cruelty unfairly followed Loop and his family home. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSportsand instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

So … now what? The Ravens on Tuesday expressed urgency for change as they parted ways with John Harbaugh, ending the second-longest coaching tenure in the NFL. Harbaugh’s departure also opened something far more complicated and equally exciting: Who will now be the Ravens’ most significant hire since 2008, the ever-important coach who will help define the remainder of Lamar Jackson’s prime with hopes of securing the franchise’s third Super Bowl title? How’s that for urgency? Harbaugh departs as the winningest coach in franchise history, a one-time Super Bowl champion and a stabilizing force who helped shape the franchise’s identity for nearly two decades. He also leaves at a time when stability slipped throughout the Ravens’ disappointing 2025 season that endured injuries, suffered in home attendance and ended in heartbreak. Owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta now face what Bisciotti described in a statement as an “exciting challenge.” This hire, the franchise’s incoming fourth coach, has to hit. Harbaugh’s greatest strength was always his ability to operate like a CEO coach. He oversaw the entire operation, relying on a handful of different coordinators over the years to direct the scheme. Harbaugh also was valued as a communicator and relationship builder. Different players often believed in his vision. Many still do. An assortment of Ravens, including veteran Marlon Humphrey, shared their parting sentiments across social media. “John Harbaugh. A good man,” Humphrey posted Tuesday night on X. The Ravens, though, reached an unraveling point in which belief no longer translated consistently to execution, particularly when the season and circumstances tightened before it all eventually crumbled. Missing the playoffs completely with Jackson under center, despite the injuries, proved to be a fireable offense. In other words, Harbaugh’s messaging ultimately became stale. Defensive veteran Roquan Smith revealed as much after Baltimore’s season-ending 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh. “The way this team is built, and the actual reality of it and the guys that we have, [we] know that playoffs is not enough,” Smith said. “I hear, ‘Coach this. Coach that.’ But at the end of the day, yes, [Harbaugh] can be here and there, but it’s the players that make the plays on the field, and [it’s] the players who go out there on the field. When I turn on the film … I felt like we were in really good calls, and it was about the players actually executing the call and not getting lackadaisical [or] complacent. “I feel like that’s something that we have to work on. I don’t know what it is, personally, but it’s something. It’s something where it’s … why can’t you do this, play in and play out, including myself? I feel like that’s something we have to do if we want to ever go and get over the hump, and I don’t truly know what it is.” Deflecting the brute of the criticism toward himself and his teammates was commendable. But Smith’s comments about not knowing why the same issues repeatedly occurred time and time again this season — the same sentiment could be said about the multiple late collapses Baltimore has endured in recent seasons — was more of an indictment on the preparation and execution of the entire Harbaugh-led operation. That can’t happen with this next important hire. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens make the right call firing John Harbaugh | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens firing coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons Ravens coach candidates: Who could potentially replace John Harbaugh? Instant analysis: Ravens fire coach John Harbaugh after failed 2025 season Ravens fire coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons in Baltimore Baltimore immediately surfaces as one of the NFL’s most attractive destinations during this coaching cycle. The Ravens are not in a rebuild like many other teams who’ve fired their coaches in recent days. Aside from identifying the team’s next leader, DeCosta has plenty of work in the coming months with retooling the roster. But for the most part, the Ravens should be considered a win-now organization with a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player under center. Maximizing what’s left of Jackson’s prime should be at the forefront of the organization’s thinking. The defense, which finished 24th in the league, also needs some necessary straightening. Regardless of the next hire’s coaching background, that person must bring with him the right peers and assistants to both reach and raise Jackson’s ceiling with offensive creativity. Harbaugh, meanwhile, has earned freedom to explore all of his options. “John’s a lock to find a job somewhere this cycle if he wants one,” one league source close to Harbaugh messaged me shortly after the news broke. If the right opportunity doesn’t present itself, it wouldn’t be surprising if Harbaugh, 63, chooses to step away for a year, whether to recharge with family, explore media opportunities or simply wait for an ideal situation that aligns with everything he’s looking for at his next stop as he attempts to solidify his coaching legacy. He’s earned that. The Ravens, however, must continue to act with urgency. Bisciotti exuded as much when he bid farewell to Harbaugh. Choosing apparent necessary change was only step one. Now Bisciotti and DeCosta are responsible for what comes next. It better be a hit. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSportsand instagram.com/JCTSports. The Ravens were consistently one of the AFC's best teams under John Harbaugh, pictured in May, but the franchise won only one Super Bowl over his 18 seasons. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti made the right decision in firing John Harbaugh as the team’s coach. It was time. His message had become stale among the players, and there really was no other choice. In the previous 18 seasons, Harbaugh, 63, had fired or allowed several defensive coordinators to leave, such as Don Martindale, Dean Pees, Greg Mattison and Chuck Pagano, and he also parted ways with offensive coordinators such as Marty Mornhinweg, Marc Trestman and Greg Roman. But this was about Harbaugh and a disaster of a 2025 season with, on paper, the most balanced lineup in the team’s 30-year history. I’m pretty sure Bisciotti considered the amount of injuries the Ravens suffered early in the season when the team slipped to 1-5, but this wasn’t just about injuries, not after Harbaugh spent 18 seasons as the coach. It was about a new voice, a new direction and a team that failed to get out of its own way even after it seemed to have found itself with a strong running game late in the season to make a playoff push. Harbaugh never lost the respect of his players in the locker room. That was always his strongest selling point, which allowed him to build teams. The problem is that the charisma had faded, and it was time for the team to build and move on. We’ve been through this before in Baltimore. The Ravens gave coach Brian Billick, Harbaugh’s predecessor, a contract extension before he was fired at the end of the 2007 season. Bisciotti signed Harbaugh to a three-year extension nearly a year ago, and he fired Harbaugh in the middle of that deal, too. A contract means nothing in the NFL. Harbaugh had his shortcomings throughout his tenure here in Baltimore. He became too much of a gambler during crucial in-game situations and his clock management decisions were poor. He wasn’t very creative, especially this season. There were no double reverses, no fake punts and no flea flickers. The offense was predictable, and the Ravens forgot about running back Derrick Henry in the postseason. Those were unforgivable sins. On defense, the Ravens were a disaster. With young coordinator and first-time play caller Zach Orr the past two seasons, the Ravens were extremely mediocre in the front seven and horrendous on the backend. It was easy to blame offensive coordinator Todd Monken or Orr, but this was Harbaugh’s team. He was the coach, the leader on the field. Maybe the biggest tipping point was the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots, when Henry never carried the ball in the final 12 minutes of regulation despite Baltimore owning an 11-point lead. Harbaugh declared that it was basically a coaching decision based on the rotation of Henry and backup Keaton Mitchell. Really. Privately, the players complained about the lack of a running game, even though they never said anything publicly. On defense, the Ravens were simply a disaster going into the Pittsburgh game Sunday night with the No. 27-ranked unit overall and tied for No. 29 in pass defense, allowing 245.3 yards per game. Everything was just starting to add up. Would Harbaugh have saved his job if the Ravens had beaten the Steelers on Sunday night? Probably not. It was Super Bowl or bust. It had to be hard for Bisciotti to fire Harbaugh. The tandem got along extremely well, and it was Bisciotti who pointed out that the Ravens wanted longevity in a coach, much like the Pittsburgh Steelers have had with Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and now Mike Tomlin, the longest-tenured active coach in the NFL. The Ravens achieved that with Harbaugh. There were a lot of criticisms about Harbaugh, some of them rightly deserved. But overall, he was a righteous and good man. His love for the Bible and his respect for his players were incredible. The Ravens will find a good coach to replace him. When they hired Ted Marchibroda for the start of the 1996 season, he was the right coach at the right time. The Ravens came to Baltimore with no money, and Marchibroda wasn’t about to complain. Plus, he had ties with the Baltimore community coaching the old Colts in Baltimore in the 1970’s. Billick was the perfect choice to replace Marchibroda, the face of a franchise that needed someone loud, talkative and extremely effective. The Ravens were in dire need of direction. No one had even heard about Harbaugh, a former Philadelphia special teams coordinator, but he had magnetism. He wasn’t afraid to get in the face of players, especially early in his career. Harbaugh never backed down from a challenge, regardless if he was facing Tomlin or Kansas City’s Andy Reid, his former mentor. Related Articles NFL pundits react to Ravens firing coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons Ravens coach candidates: Who could potentially replace John Harbaugh? Instant analysis: Ravens fire coach John Harbaugh after failed 2025 season Ravens fire coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons in Baltimore Browns request to interview Ravens OC Todd Monken for head coach opening But there was speculation circulating for about two months that Harbaugh’s tenure was near its end. Early in the season, when the Ravens were 1-5, they struggled which wasn’t unusual, but that team quit in those contests. That was a sign of possible things to come, even though the Ravens were without prominent starters like quarterback Lamar Jackson, middle linebacker Roquan Smith and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. And let’s address something here: There is this belief that the Ravens could have hired current Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who is 24-10 in two seasons and an NFL Coach of the Year candidate after leading Seattle to the NFC’s No. 1 seed. But few teams have ever replaced their coach after losing in the AFC championship game, which is the situation Baltimore faced with Harbaugh and Macdonald, then the defensive coordinator, after falling to Kansas City at the end of the 2023 season. The Ravens will find a good coach and move on. It might take them a year or two to rebuild, but the Ravens are a good organization with sound management. They still have things to work out with Jackson and his new contract as well as the draft and signing some free agents. But after finishing 8-9, they made the right decision. It was time to move on. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article