ExtremeRavens

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

The Ravens fired coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, ending his 18-year tenure with the team. It’s a surprising move, given how successful he was in Baltimore and his strong relationship with ownership and the front office. Here’s how pundits reacted to the news that Baltimore will make a coaching change in 2026: Tony Kornheiser, ESPN “I’m stunned by this,” he said on “Pardon the Interruption.” “Steve Bisciotti is not a quick-trigger guy. … I’ll say this, if John Harbaugh wants to work again, he can have an open job in 30 seconds. Thirty seconds. He has everything to recommend him.” Nick Wright, FOX Sports “I have tried all year long to point to publicly available things to demonstrate what I knew was a real rift between Lamar and John Harbaugh … if it’s one or the other, you’ve got to go with the star quarterback,” Wright said on “First Things First.” “That’s my read.” Chris Broussard, FOX Sports “It was time … he’s a good coach, but 18 years. After they won that Super Bowl, he missed the playoffs four out of the next five years,” he said on the same show as Wright. “And then Lamar popped. It wasn’t going well Lamar’s rookie year, and then he put him in for Flacco, and the rest is history. They became a contender, but … I thought they were an undisciplined team. … I look at a lot of that as coaching.” Robert Mays, The Athletic “Here’s why I think you can talk yourself into staying the course,” Mays said on “The Athletic Football Show.” “It’s because, in my opinion, it hadn’t been stale for that long. As I think about the overall trajectory of the Ravens over the last few years, I think they were on an upward trajectory for most of last season. … As stagnant as they felt this year, I wasn’t sure 17 games of stagnation and not having it be a multiyear thing was worth pulling the cord on this.” Jordan Schultz “An interesting ‘what if’ in all of this is that Baltimore had Mike Macdonald on staff — and he’s now doing wonders in Seattle,” the NFL insider posted on X. “The Ravens went 13-4 and made the AFC Championship Game the year Macdonald left, so there was never a realistic scenario of moving on from John Harbaugh. But you do wonder if there are second thoughts today: Macdonald is 38, Harbaugh is 63.” Torrey Smith, former Ravens WR “Harbaugh is a hell of a man and coach,” he posted on X. “He had a great run in Baltimore. He will EASILY be the top coach in the market. Great corporations make tough decisions to move on from qualified leaders when the ultimate goal isn’t met. It’s just business.” Kevin Clark, ESPN “When was the last time a job as desirable as *this* Ravens job was open? Packers after McCarthy?” he posted on X. Mina Kimes, ESPN “The Ravens instantly become the most appealing HC job in football,” Kimes posted on X. “I would *strongly* consider Brian Flores if I were them.” Bill Barnwell, ESPN “Harbaugh’s pretty obviously the best coach on the market and the Ravens job is pretty obviously the best job available,” Barnwell posted on X. Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus “Funniest thing that could happen: Houston annihilates Pittsburgh, Tomlin gets fired in 6 days. PIT hires Harbaugh and BAL hires Tomlin,” he posted on X. Related Articles 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 Watch Episode 19 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens grapple with expected offseason roster shakeup: ‘Gotta go get a job’ Aaron Schatz, FTN Fantasy “Given his ability to manufacture pressure with blitzes, the Baltimore roster would be amazing for Brian Flores,” he said on X. “I don’t know them personally but Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa do not seem like similar dudes.” Dan Orlovsky, ESPN “The Arizona Cardinals should hire Harbaugh tonight,” the analyst posted on X. Barstool’s Dan “Big Cat” Katz “Need Harbaugh on the Browns just to keep the Tomlin rivalry,” the Barstool personality joked on X. Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports “The Chicago Bears are the No. 2 seed and the Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh in the same season the Bears lost to a Ravens team with Snoop Huntley at QB. What a league,” he posted on X. Glenn Clark, WBAL Radio “The only celebration I’m interested [in] is celebrating the outstanding tenure of John Harbaugh. It was time, yes. But he has more than earned incredible appreciation,” he posted on X. Steve Wyche, NFL Network “John Harbaugh is one of the few coaching candidates that has the gravitas to pull a Liam Coen, and get the GM-in-place bounced, if he feels that is needed,” he said on X. Peter Schrager, ESPN “Having not spoken to him yet or being given any confirmation that he does, indeed, want the job … I’d think John Harbaugh would be a perfect fit in New York with the Giants. A QB, several pass rushers, a number 1 wide receiver, 2 young RBs, cap space, and a top 5 pick,” he said on X. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Ravens are looking for a new head coach. John Harbaugh was fired Tuesday evening, ending his 18-year run in Baltimore just two days after the Ravens lost a de facto AFC North championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a slew of injuries and underperformance, the Ravens fell stunningly short of preseason expectations as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The 8-9 finish in 2025 marked just the third losing season of Harbaugh’s tenure, in which the 63-year-old former Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator went 180-113 in the regular season and 13-11 in the playoffs, including winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2012 season. Now, the Ravens will be hiring just their fourth coach in franchise history. Here’s an early look at the potential candidates (names are listed in alphabetic order by last name): Joe Brady, Bills offensive coordinator: The 36-year-old’s name has been floated as a potential candidate for a head coaching job for a few years. He gained recognition in 2019 after serving as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for national champion LSU, which was led by future NFL stars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Brady spent two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers under coach Matt Rhule before getting fired but has since led a top-10 scoring offense as the coordinator for reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen and Buffalo over the past three seasons. Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator: Flores, 44, has already turned a second chance into a redemption tour. Since resurfacing as a coordinator, the former New England Patriots assistant and Miami Dolphins coach engineered one of the league’s most aggressive, suffocating defenses. If Flores earns another head coaching opportunity, though, he’ll need to demonstrate growth in his relationship management skills after his public fallout with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Flores’ DNA is full of intangibles and winning attitude; his reported interaction with Miami owner Stephen Ross and his unwillingness to tank was commendable. Flores would have to surround Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson with a proven offensive mind capable of maximizing a superstar talent in the middle of his prime. Kliff Kingsbury, recently fired Commanders offensive coordinator: Kingsbury, 46, is only one season removed from overseeing Jayden Daniels’ historic offensive breakout, and that success came despite an aging Washington roster that showed clear signs of decline at key skill positions. Kingsbury’s system thrives on spacing, tempo and quarterback confidence, elements that could translate to a new environment built around Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP. Kingsbury’s tenure as coach of the Cardinals (28-37-1) should provide caution, but in the right setting, with a stronger infrastructure and fewer personnel responsibilities, Kingsbury has shown at several spots that he can unlock elite quarterback play. He also served as coach of Texas Tech, helping mold quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes. Klint Kubiak, Seahawks offensive coordinator: The son of former Ravens offensive coordinator and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak is a popular name this cycle because of his work in his first season calling plays in Seattle under former Ravens defensive coordinator and Coach of the Year candidate Mike Macdonald. With new quarterback Sam Darnold, the Seahawks earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed with the third-highest scoring offense in the league. Kubiak, 38, also spent a year as offensive coordinator for Minnesota in 2021 and New Orleans in 2024. Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator: The 38-year-old LaFleur has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator since 2023, although coach Sean McVay calls the plays. LaFleur has been a linchpin in coaching Los Angeles and Matthew Stafford to the top offense in the NFL, both by total yards per game (394.6) and passing yards per game (268.1). The Rams were also among the best in the league at avoiding sacks and interceptions while boasting a top-10 running game. This would be owner Steve Bisciotti swinging at potentially the next big, unproven commodity. Jesse Minter, Chargers defensive coordinator: Minter, 42, would represent continuity with an edge. A former Ravens assistant (2017 to 2020) who helped modernize Baltimore’s defense before leaving for Michigan, Minter has built a reputation as a fierce teacher whose willingness to mix his calls and disguises has resulted in sustained success at Michigan and Los Angeles under John’s younger brother, Jim. Robert Saleh, 49ers defensive coordinator: Saleh, 46, is expected to be a coaching candidate this offseason after one season back as defensive coordinator in San Francisco, which finished 12-5 despite losing star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to season-ending injuries early on. His four-year tenure with the Jets left more to be desired, with a 20-36 record and the failed Aaron Rodgers experiment. His defense was consistently strong, however, a trademark both in San Francisco and New York alongside his sideline energy. Chris Shula, Rams defensive coordinator: Shula, 39, has coaching in his blood. His father Dave formerly coached the Bengals and his grandfather, Don, is the Hall of Famer who has more wins than any other NFL coach, having led the Dolphins for 25 years. Shula comes from McVay’s coaching tree having worked his way up from linebackers coach in 2017 to coordinator. If Baltimore chose Shula, he’d be a pivot from Harbaugh’s longstanding regime to a more youthful energy. Kevin Stefanski, former Browns coach: Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year — no small feat in Cleveland. He led the franchise to two playoff appearances, including a postseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fired Monday, Stefanski would represent a quick turnaround option, bringing postseason experience despite the Browns’ instability. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles 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 Watch Episode 19 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens grapple with expected offseason roster shakeup: ‘Gotta go get a job’ View the full article

The Ravens will have a new coach for the first time in nearly two decades to start the 2026 season. Baltimore fired coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, deciding to move away from him after 18 seasons with the franchise. Here’s what The Baltimore Sun’s sports staff has to say about the franchise’s decision to fire Harbaugh: Brian Wacker, reporter Where there is smoke there is usually fire. Speculation over John Harbaugh’s future had been widespread and started to gain traction in recent weeks. Sunday night’s loss in Pittsburgh all but cemented the decision by owner Steve Bisciotti, who along with Harbaugh, has taken postseason defeats each of the past two seasons particularly hard. After 18 years, Bisciotti felt it was time to move on, with a need for an organizational reset, even with three years remaining on his contract, which Harbaugh signed less than a year ago. Harbaugh was just the third coach in the Ravens’ 30-year history when he was hired from relative anonymity in 2008. It turned out to be a fruitful decision, with Baltimore winning the Super Bowl in 2013 and Harbaugh eventually becoming the winningest coach in team history. But after reaching the AFC title game in the 2023 season, there has been a steady and familiar decline. Baltimore lost in the division round last season and didn’t even make the playoffs this year, going from the Super Bowl favorite to an 8-9 disaster and out of the playoffs altogether. That the season ended the same way it had so many times was likely what ended what had been the second-longest tenure in the NFL. Sam Cohn, reporter This was of course thought to be a possibility after such a disappointing season in Baltimore. But there’s still plenty of shock factor when the Ravens cut ties with their leader of 18 years, the second-longest active coach in the NFL. Harbaugh is sure to be a top coaching candidate in this cycle. But it’s clear his messaging and direction became stale. The Ravens were ousted from the playoffs three (arguably four) by one memorable play. But the point is, they’ve been Super Bowl contenders a perennial playoff teams who simply have not gotten over the hump. Baltimore can’t afford to not capitalize on the Lamar Jackson era. This signals owner Steve Bisciotti’s willingness for change and urgency to win now. So begins the search. Michael Howes, reporter Well, it happened. There had to be a scapegoat. You can’t fire the starting quarterback who missed four games and was absent from practice half the season, but is a two-time Most Valuable Player. General manager Eric DeCosta isn’t going to fire himself, either. Still, changes needed to be made after missing the playoffs with a talented roster. But maybe it will be for the better. Harbaugh won just four playoff games since winning Super Bowl XLVII. That’s not going to cut it with an MVP quarterback on the roster. Where the Ravens go next is crucial. Hire an offensive-minded coach to work with Lamar Jackson? Surely there’s no in-house options — one that existed two seasons ago with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who has since led the Seattle Seahawks to the No. 1 seed. Something was going to happen. And the Ravens now have to center their approach on getting the most out of Jackson while they can. Josh Tolentino, columnist Two straight seasons of postseason regression, punctuated by Baltimore’s brutal playoff absence this campaign was finally enough for owner Steve Bisciotti. John Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure comes to a screeching halt after the Ravens woefully disappointed in a season that saw quarterback Lamar Jackson miss four games with various injuries. Some might insist Jackson refusing to acknowledge a question Sunday night about Harbaugh’s future as emotional, but the two-time NFL MVP’s non-response to not back the coach was just as telling. Missing the dance in Jackson’s age 28 season amid a weaker conference field proved to be a fireable offense. As Bisciotti navigates uncharted territory, he and general manager Eric DeCosta, who appears to be safe for now, must prioritize identifying a coach who’ll help maximize the remainder of Jackson’s prime. Bennett Conlin, editor You’ll hear the phrase “the grass isn’t always greener” uttered plenty of times this week in reference to this move. Tell that to the Seattle Seahawks, who moved on from Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll and now are perhaps the best team in the NFL under Mike Macdonald. The Ravens just went 8-9 with the best quarterback on the planet in Lamar Jackson and a future Hall of Fame running back in Derrick Henry. The roster is far from perfect — general manager Eric DeCosta deserves plenty of blame for this season — and Jackson was not 100% this season, but there was enough on the team to win the middling AFC North. The Ravens constantly got in their own way in 2025, suggesting maybe Harbaugh’s message had grown stale. Baltimore wants a Super Bowl with Jackson. Harbaugh wasn’t getting it done. This is a worthwhile risk for the Ravens, and I’m betting the grass will be greener than some analysts believe. Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. Related Articles Ravens fire coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons in Baltimore Browns request to interview Ravens OC Todd Monken for head coach opening Watch Episode 19 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens grapple with expected offseason roster shakeup: ‘Gotta go get a job’ Ravens players reflect on shocking playoff-less season: ‘Hard to process’ View the full article

The John Harbaugh era in Baltimore has come to a stunning end. After 18 seasons, the Ravens fired Harbaugh on Tuesday. The move comes less than a year after Harbaugh signed a three-year extension that would have kept him with the organization through the 2028 season. “Following a comprehensive evaluation of the season and the overall direction of our organization, I decided to make a change at head coach. Today I informed John that he has been relieved of his duties,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together and the profound respect I have for John as a coach and, most importantly, as a great man of integrity.” Instead, his reign as the second-longest-tenured coach in the NFL behind only the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin came to an abrupt denouement following an astonishing 8-9 season that began with Baltimore entering the year as Super Bowl favorites only to flame out by missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. With the decision, it also means that offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Zach Orr are unlikely to be back. The Ravens also likely have a replacement for Harbaugh already in mind, and that candidate would bring in his own staff, though it’s possible he could retain some of Baltimore’s other coaches. Whatever Baltimore does, moving on from Harbaugh, 63, was a surprising development. Harbaugh became just the third coach in franchise history when Bisciotti hired him from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a longtime special teams coordinator and then defensive backs coach, after firing Brian Billick in 2008. Five seasons later, he led Baltimore to its second championship with a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and coach and younger brother, Jim, in Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans. But more than a dozen years later, that stands as the Ravens’ last title, with just one appearance in the AFC championship game since. That came during the 2023 season, when quarterback Lamar Jackson led Baltimore to the NFL’s best record at 13-4 to earn the AFC’s top seed and home-field advantage and took home his second league Most Valuable Player Award after also winning it in 2019. But hosting the conference championship for the first time, the Ravens lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, and did so in familiar fashion, with a series of blunders and self-inflicted mistakes that included questionable coaching decisions over conservative play calling and missed red zone opportunities. The Ravens made it to the playoffs again last season, but didn’t get as far, falling to the Buffalo Bills, 27-25, in the divisional round at Highmark Stadium, where Baltimore significantly outgained Buffalo, didn’t punt but turned the ball over three times in another dispiriting defeat with more questions swirling over Harbaugh’s decision-making. Yet, two months later, Bisciotti gave Harbaugh, who was entering the final year of his contract, a three-year extension, again making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league. Things quickly soured this season, however, after the Ravens stumbled to a 1-5 start that included blowing a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to the Bills in the season opener, along with an embarrassing 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans at home, tying for the largest defeat in the organization’s 30-year history. Several injuries along the way, including to Jackson, who missed three games because of a hamstring injury, didn’t help. Baltimore eventually rallied, winning five in a row over lesser opponents to climb into a first-place tie in the AFC North, but faded down the stretch. The Ravens lost consecutive division games at home to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving night and the Steelers 10 days later. Then, after rebounding with a shutout in Cincinnati, they blew another double-digit fourth-quarter lead, this time at home to the New England Patriots. It marked the 12th time the Ravens lost a game when leading by seven-plus points in the fourth quarter since 2021, the most in the NFL during that span. More questions swirled about Harbaugh’s decisions — including not having running back Derrick Henry on the field down the stretch of the game — as well as the coach’s future. Related Articles Browns request to interview Ravens OC Todd Monken for head coach opening Watch Episode 19 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens grapple with expected offseason roster shakeup: ‘Gotta go get a job’ Ravens players reflect on shocking playoff-less season: ‘Hard to process’ Ravens mock draft roundup: Early expert predictions for No. 14 pick It also wasn’t the first time. After the Ravens missed the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2015 through 2017, Bisciotti considered firing Harbaugh. This time, though, there was no change of heart. Harbaugh’s career in Baltimore ends with him as the winningest coach in franchise history with an overall record of 193-124. Coming into this season, his 12 playoff appearances were also tied for the second-most behind only Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s 20. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Cleveland Browns have requested to interview Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their head coach opening, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday. The news comes less than 48 hours after Baltimore’s season ended in a crushing 26-24 Week 18 defeat to the Steelers in Pittsburgh that eliminated the Ravens from playoff contention. It’s also the second straight offseason that Monken, 59, has drawn interest from other teams. Last season, after Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for 3,000 in the same season, he interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. Monken was the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019. 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 19 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens grapple with expected offseason roster shakeup: ‘Gotta go get a job’ Ravens players reflect on shocking playoff-less season: ‘Hard to process’ Ravens mock draft roundup: Early expert predictions for No. 14 pick READER POLL: Should the Ravens bring back coach John Harbaugh? View the full article

Episode 19 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 season-ending loss to Pittsburgh. What’s next for the Ravens? 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

Locker room clean-out day can feel like a haze. Players – some, not all – bustle through a luxurious room filled with trash bags. They exchange jerseys and autographs alongside heartfelt goodbyes because when a season ends, there’s no telling how different that room might look in six months. Particularly for this Ravens team, which cobbled together what was once believed to be a Super Bowl contending roster and instead missed the playoffs altogether. Nearly every player who spoke was asked some form of the same question: Do you plan to be back in Baltimore next year? All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, the team’s top pending free agent, said he “absolutely” wants to return. He’ll take a bit of time off first, then worry about his contract situation “at a later time.” Over four years in Baltimore, Linderbaum blossomed into one of the NFL’s top centers. The Ravens did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, putting Linderbaum in a contract year. Monday was the first locker room clean-out where he was a centerpiece of impending offseason discourse. “To see a guy like that walk would really hurt,” right tackle Roger Rosengarten said. “This offensive line runs through him and he’s the tip of the spear.” Rosengarten said he has every intention of hounding Linderbaum in the coming months the same way he did (successfully) with All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley this time last year. Truth is, this team is destined for turnover. Although, no player who showed up Monday and spoke with reporters specifically voiced any interest in leaving. Fullback Patrick Ricard, an undrafted rookie in 2017, said he’d love to come back and eventually retire as a Raven. Pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones loved his short time as a Raven. He was acquired before the trade deadline and said “it would be great if that continued” if the money’s right and the situation is beneficial to both parties. Kyle Van Noy was a bit more direct. Asked what he hopes to accomplish this offseason, the veteran pass rusher was quick to respond, “come back to the Ravens.” Van Noy is 34 years old having just finished his third season in Baltimore. He’s not ready to contemplate retirement, despite sinking from 12 1/2 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025. Monday afternoon’s clean-out session included plenty of reflection about a season gone wrong. Having finished 8-9, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, there will be plenty done this spring to address the disappointment that lingered like a foul stench in Owings Mills. “It just hurts,” Ricard said. “I feel for the fans of the city, just the heartaches after years after years, and it always seems like to start the year, we always have a great group that I feel like we underperform just with the talent that we have. I feel like the fans deserve better, and it’s just hard.” General manager Eric DeCosta’s job will be to again assemble a roster that keeps the Ravens’ Super Bowl window cracked open. That task starts with addressing Lamar Jackson’s contract situation in some fashion. His cap number rises to $74.5 million each of the next two seasons. Dedicating that kind of cheddar to one player makes it nearly impossible to build out a playoff contender. So there’s Jackson, who spoke Sunday night but was not available the following afternoon (which is common), then everybody else. Those who requested signed footballs or an extra minute to tug on a veteran’s ear know change is afoot. Tight end Charlie Kolar did some quick calculations. He estimated about 40% of a roster looks different year over year. In Baltimore, that number was closer to 30% between 2024 and 2025. It was roughly the same the year prior, according to OverTheCap.com. Kolar’s rookie contract concluded Sunday night in Pittsburgh but if Baltimore will have him, after already extending Mark Andrews, Kolar said he’d “love to be back as a Raven.” That process could come closer to March, shortly before his April wedding. “Personally, I’ll take some time off, get healthy and get back to training,” Kolar said. “I’m unemployed now. Gotta go get a job.” The other pending free agent tight end who did not sign a mid-season extension, Isaiah Likely, said he’ll leave the negotiating to his agent. “I feel like everybody says a vanilla answer like that,” Likely said, “but it’s honestly my first time ever not knowing [where I’ll be].” Related Articles Ravens players reflect on shocking playoff-less season: ‘Hard to process’ Ravens mock draft roundup: Early expert predictions for No. 14 pick READER POLL: Should the Ravens bring back coach John Harbaugh? Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ nightmare season is over. Change must follow. | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Tyler Loop misses the moment | COMMENTARY Over the summer, Likely was the odds-on favorite to be Baltimore’s tight end of the future. He toiled through a brutal season, low-lighted by a goal-line fumble in a loss to the Bengals and a disallowed game-winning touchdown versus Pittsburgh a week later. The Ravens extended Andrews in early December, part of a slew of extensions that included defensive linemen Travis Jones and John Jenkins as well as long snapper Nick Moore. There were plenty of prognosticating questions left about Likely and Kolar. “You just never know,” Ricard said. “Especially Isaiah and Charlie, I feel like they played really well. I feel like they’ve had great careers here. Hopefully they sign back, but I think they’re all going to have a good market when they hit free agency, and I’m excited for them.” These conversations kickstarted far sooner than any Raven might have imagined six months ago. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

The sound of losing: It is silence, save for the rough edges of cardboard boxes sliding against each other as they are packed up, the crinkle of plastic garbage bags, the faint thud of a small locker door closing. There are monotone voices and sighs. This is the cacophony of the Ravens this time of year. Again. After another stunning and dispiriting defeat, this time to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, where rookie kicker Tyler Loop sliced a 44-yard game-winning field goal attempt wide right as time expired in a de facto playoff game during the final week of the regular season, the agony feels familiar. Last year, it was a dropped 2-point conversion and trio of costly turnovers in the divisional round. In 2023, a fumble at the goal line in the AFC championship game. This was worse, of course. “I don’t think it gets any easier,” fullback Pat Ricard said Monday in Owings Mills, where players cleaned out their lockers and headed home with no more football to play for months. “It kind of just shocks you. The whole season comes down to one play, and just especially this year how we started out 1-5 and so many guys dealt with injuries early on in the year, and we were able to put ourselves in the position to make the playoffs to the last game, the last play of the game. “It just hurts. I feel for the fans of the city. Just the heartaches after just years after years, and it always seems like the start of the year, we always have a great group that I feel like we underperform just with the talent that we have, and I feel like the fans deserve better. It’s just hard, it’s just hard to … Just seemed like it’s just one play that ends up just defining our season. But I mean it’s not, it’s never just one play. There’s 17 games that we felt like we should have won the majority of.” Instead, Baltimore finished 8-9 for its worst record since 2021, which is also the last time the Ravens failed to reach the postseason. It was a stunning end for a team that opened the year as the favorite to win the Super Bowl, never mind just get to it for the first time since 2013. For some, there was no reason to revisit the seared in missteps of another wasted opportunity. There was no Lamar Jackson. No Ronnie Stanley. No Zay Flowers. No Marlon Humphrey. No Loop. All spoke late Sunday evening. No need to relive it again perhaps. Fourth-year tight end and free-agent-in-waiting Charlie Kolar did, though, letting the moment wash over his sleepless eyes and sagging cheekbones. “It’s hard to process the day after,” he said. “Just didn’t do enough things consistently to win games this year. “I feel like the last game is kind of like the encapsulation of the whole season. You know the saying, good teams find a way to win? We just didn’t do that enough this year. All three phases gotta find a way to play complementary football, help each other out.” He added that it “hurts” and that it was “a tough year.” He carried the pain for Loop, too. “Obviously we’re all hurting for Tyler right now,” he said. “You never want a season to end like that, especially for a guy who works so hard.” The sting was real for Kolar as well. Related Articles Ravens mock draft roundup: Early expert predictions for No. 14 pick READER POLL: Should the Ravens bring back coach John Harbaugh? Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ nightmare season is over. Change must follow. | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Tyler Loop misses the moment | COMMENTARY Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions “There’s no real word to put into it,” he continued. “It’s really hard to process. We all thought we were gonna win that game. Twelve hours later, team meeting, season’s over. “We believed that we could contend and we didn’t do that. … Of course we underperformed. We were preseason Super Bowl favorites and we don’t make the playoffs. It’s hard to swallow.” That was the feeling across the spacious but mostly desolate locker room. Tight end Isaiah Likely — also scheduled to be a free agent this offseason — signed some jerseys for teammates. Center Tyler Linderbaum — another potential free agent — gathered up a few bottles of wine. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, 34, searched for answers, about what went wrong and the possibility of a football-less future, at least on the field. “For me, it’s not exactly a fun journey going through,” Van Noy said. “Just because we’ve been battling from just the standpoint all season, just behind-the-scenes stuff that no one sees and different things like that. If you don’t win the last game, it’s a failure, especially with expectations that we have for ourselves.” He also said he’d like to continue to play and do so for Baltimore if the situation allows, something that seems unlikely. “I don’t want to make any decisions right now, it’s too early to say, especially after an emotional game like that was last night, to say, ‘I’m retiring, or I’m going to keep playing,’” he said. “I think I’m just going to keep my options open and keep an open mind. Just have conversations, but I definitely would like to be back with the Ravens if that was a possibility. Hopefully, it will be. Conversations will be had.” The mood, though, was the same as it has always been these past few years, soured even more by a regression from one to the next. “We’ve been through a lot,” Linderbaum said. “Obviously, it’s not the season that we wanted.” Added second-year right tackle and locker mate Roger Rosengarten: “It was definitely surreal going to sleep last night, but definitely waking up in the morning — this morning — it definitely hurt. It stung a little bit more, not getting another opportunity on a Sunday to get after it with the boys. That’s the worst part.” So is the scar tissue. Will the Ravens ever get over that proverbial hump? “I guess it depends on the person,” Ricard said. “If anything, you just have to look at it as a lesson, something to fuel you [and] to drive you to improve so that when you get in those moments again, it doesn’t happen. But I think it depends on the person. Some people take it way harder. Some people need time. Some people might need therapy. Some people might need God. “We all want a Super Bowl, and when we fall short, you have to look in the mirror and [at] yourself and try to think of what you could have done better.” Perhaps one day that answer will come. For now, though, the Ravens’ locker room is silent again. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush cleans out his locker Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, left, and quarterback Cooper Rush clean out their lockers Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman signs a jersey after cleaning out his locker Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens rookie linebackers Teddy Buchanan, left, and Mike Green clean out their lockers Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely signs a jersey for a teammate after cleaning out his locker Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Show Caption1 of 5Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush cleans out his locker Monday, a day after the team’s 26–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night ended its playoff hopes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Expand View the full article

It’s officially draft season in Baltimore. The Ravens’ roller-coaster campaign came to a stunning end Sunday night in a wild 26-24 loss to the Steelers that gave Pittsburgh its first AFC North title since 2020, ending Baltimore’s quest for a record three-peat in the division. The Steelers will host the Houston Texans on Monday night in the wild-card round, while the Ravens are left to pick up the pieces from another heartbreaking finish. This offseason will be another crucial one for Baltimore to retool its roster around two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, who himself faces his own contract questions heading into his ninth NFL season. There’s also the uncertain status of coach John Harbaugh after 18 years in charge, as well as the murky future of his top assistants. With a few key players hitting free agency and lingering questions about the status of other starters, the Ravens and general manager Eric DeCosta must decide how best to address those areas to return the franchise to Super Bowl contention. The lifeblood of the organization has long been the draft, and it figures to be just as important again this year. Baltimore is expected to have 11 draft picks in April, including a projected four compensatory selections. That includes the No. 14 overall pick, the team’s highest since also finishing 8-9 in 2021. Here’s an early look at what draft experts think the Ravens will do in the first round: Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa CBS Sports’ Mike Renner: “Francis Mauigoa would likely start at guard early in his career, with the option to kick out to tackle when Ronnie Stanley retires. The Ravens simply have to get better at guard, and Mauigoa is exactly the kind of butt-kicker who could make the switch.” Penn State guard/center Olaivavega Ioane The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner: “Ioane is the exact type of behemoth Baltimore’s offense has been missing in the middle. Re-sign Tyler Linderbaum, put Ioane next to him, and Baltimore’s offensive line would be rocking again.” Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema: “From a traits perspective, the former four-star recruit moves exceptionally well for a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman and flashes top-10 talent. While his week-to-week impact dipped this season, he still posted run-defense and pass-rush grades above 70.0 and previously earned overall grades north of 83.0 as both a freshman and sophomore. With the Ravens’ defensive line lacking the same punch since Nnamdi Madubuike went down and his long-term future uncertain, Woods could be a good fit alongside Travis Jones.” Related Articles READER POLL: Should the Ravens bring back coach John Harbaugh? Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ nightmare season is over. Change must follow. | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Tyler Loop misses the moment | COMMENTARY Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder: “Woods entered this season as a potential top-five talent. Though he wasn’t the dominant presence many expected during his final season on campus. Instead, he can land with the Ravens, where the coaching staff has a long history of getting the most out of high-upside prospects. “‘Woods didn’t live up to the preseason hype this past season,” Holder said. “He definitely left something to be desired as a pass-rusher. But no one can deny how impactful he can be as run defender and the natural traits to be a quality interior pass-rusher in the right situation.'” “The first-team All-ACC performer’s addition may be critical depending on Nnamdi Madubuike’s long-term prognosis with his current neck injury.” Miami edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. FOX Sports’ Rob Rang: “While Lamar Jackson’s health certainly generated most of the criticism of the Ravens’ 2025 season, a disappointing defense was also to blame. Routinely one of the NFL’s fiercest defenses throughout the John Harbaugh era, Baltimore was one of the league’s worst when it came to sacking opposing quarterbacks in 2025, finishing 30th in the NFL. The Ravens have long capitalized on drafting falling stars that other clubs overthought. Bain’s stubby arms (reportedly 31 inches) threaten his draft stock, but he plays with the violence and tenacity that the Ravens have always prioritized.” Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey The Score’s Dan Wilkins: “The Ravens will hope that Mike Green’s development takes off in Year 2, but finding him a bookend should be a priority in order to solve their edge-rush issues once and for all. Bailey was a sensational transfer-portal addition for Texas Tech, leading the FBS with 12.5 sacks in the regular season.” LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane The Ringer’s Todd McShay: “Delane took his game to another level and was one of the few bright spots for an otherwise disappointing Tigers program in 2025. Edge is a bigger need for Baltimore, as Dre’Mont Jones, Kyle Van Noy, and David Ojabo are all free agents this offseason, but the Ravens are looking for scheme-versatile defensive backs and Delane more than impressed me with his ability to excel in both man and zone coverage at LSU. “He totaled 138 man-coverage snaps and 176 zone-coverage snaps in 2025. You won’t see many college CBs have that kind of man-zone split, let alone someone who was as effective as he was in both areas.” Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens’ season came to a disappointing end Sunday night in Pittsburgh. Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired in a 26-24 defeat that gave the Steelers the AFC North crown. Baltimore entered the 2025 season as the favorite to win the Super Bowl. Now, its season has ended before the postseason could even begin. Will John Harbaugh return next season for his 19th year as the Ravens’ coach? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

PITTSBURGH — It’s OK to open your eyes now. The Ravens’ nightmare season is finally over. The brutal ending Sunday night felt all too familiar. So familiar that rookie kicker Tyler Loop’s missed 44-yard field goal attempt on the game’s final play felt predictable. Baltimore’s season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers wasn’t shocking or cruel. It was actually the picturesque conclusion to a forgettable season that repeatedly warned that it could end this way. Wide right. Season over. Time to pack your bags and head home before the dance even begins. It wasn’t supposed to end like this. Baltimore entered the season widely viewed as a Super Bowl favorite. The Ravens returned two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, armed with a roster designed to compete for the franchise’s third Lombardi trophy. But when a season that begins with championship expectations quickly falls off the rails before abruptly ending without a playoff berth, the result is an indictment of preparation, execution and decisions made across the entire organization. And as the first-place Steelers bounced the Ravens in front of a national audience, change, in some form or fashion, feels inevitable. “It’s disappointing. I think our guys fought,” 18th-year coach John Harbaugh said. “We were that close to winning the [AFC] North, and we didn’t get a chance to get it done. So, all that other stuff is history. We had a chance to do it; we didn’t do it. We’re disappointed, and we’ll move on. “ Loop’s miss might be the most remembered moment, but it was merely the final snapshot in a season-long album of disappointment, penalties, blown assignments, missed opportunities, injuries and lost composure. Sure enough, all of those issues resurfaced in the Week 18 defeat. Baltimore committed a season-high nine penalties for 78 yards Sunday night, avoidable self-inflicted wounds that stalled drives and extended others. Still, Jackson refused to let the season slip away. He was brilliant in the fourth quarter, bailing out his much-maligned defense again and again. Jackson chucked a pair of high-arcing go-ahead touchdown passes to Zay Flowers that should have been more than enough. He finished with a nearly perfect 156.3 passer rating in the final frame. So much for that two-man rescue mission. Much like it has all season, Baltimore’s 30th-ranked defense showed its true colors, allowing 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers to dice through its secondary, which lost star safety Kyle Hamilton to a concussion earlier in the game. The pass rush was notably toothless, registering just one true sack of Rodgers, who finished with more than 50 dropbacks. The lack of beef in the trenches was a glaring issue all season, and it flared up under the spotlight at Acrisure Stadium. Once again, the Ravens couldn’t close. It was their third and final collapse in the fourth quarter this season. The ending was chaotic, but it wasn’t unfamiliar. It mirrored the entire campaign, with flashes of jaw-dropping moments that ultimately were swallowed by lapses in execution at the worst possible time. “Oh my [bleeping] God,” Flowers repeatedly yelled as he exited the field in disbelief. He was the second player to depart behind veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ Tyler Loop misses the moment | COMMENTARY Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers Tyler Loop’s miss puts spotlight on Ravens’ checkered kicking history NFL pundits react to Ravens’ stunning 26-24 loss to Steelers: ‘MVP Lamar’ Loop followed shortly after, accompanied and consoled by Harbaugh as he walked off the field. When the locker room doors opened, the rookie kicker stood frozen at his locker, staring at his notebook, which included his pregame prayer. “I took my steps, took over. I visualized what the ball looks like when it’s held down,” Loop reflected on his missed kick. “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. “I caught a little bit [of the ground]. The operation was great. It was a great situation, exactly what we wanted, and unfortunately, I just mishit the ball. We call it hitting it thin. It spins fast and goes off to the right.” Off to the right and off to the abyss went Baltimore’s season. The 2025 Ravens will be remembered as a team that never consistently matched its talent with execution. Additionally, it was a team whose depth turned out to be flawed and unreliable. General manager Eric DeCosta had several personnel misfires from the offseason and he ultimately failed to supply the team with necessary in-season reinforcements. “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,” linebacker Roquan Smith said. “I don’t know what it is, personally, but it’s something. I’m searching for those answers, as well, where it’s just like the mental intensity and carrying that over, play-in and play-out, until the echo of the whistle. “Because we have to do that if we want to ever get somewhere, and it sucks.” Sunday night’s exit now marks three consecutive seasons of regression. From losing to the Chiefs at home in the AFC championship game in the 2023 season, to falling in the divisional round at Buffalo last year, to not even reaching the playoffs this season. Owner Steve Bisciotti, who hasn’t spoken to local media since 2022, will face evaluations of staff and personnel over the coming days and weeks, and maybe he’ll realize that he employs folks in charge of this downward trend. Will that be enough for him to make changes at key spots? Does defensive coordinator Zach Orr deserve to be back for Year 3? What about Todd Monken, who reportedly interviewed for the then-vacant Michigan opening last month? Change feels inevitable across the coaching staff, considering how the vast majority of position groups either regressed or failed to meet expectation. The big variable, of course, remains Harbaugh, who just last offseason signed a contract extension. Changes are coming. At what degree remains to be seen. It was a miserable year for a team that was believed to be destined for so much more. The season ended with a ball spinning wide right into the Pittsburgh night. “It think it only gets harder [to absorb these types of losses],” veteran offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “Coming up short with the type of team that we have, it doesn’t feel good.” Two years ago, the Ravens stood one win away from the Super Bowl. Now they’ll be watching playoff football from home. The nightmare is finally over. The embarrassment and questions hovering a franchise with much higher standards will linger far into the offseason. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop reacts after missing a potential game-winning field goal against the Steelers. Baltimore's 2025-26 season ends with a disappointing 8-9 record. (Matt Durisko/AP) View the full article

PITTSBURGH — It’s hard to replace a legend, and it’s even harder when you are a rookie kicker and a miss costs the team a chance to make the playoffs. Tyler Loop, the Ravens’ sixth-round draft pick last April out of Arizona, missed a 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the Ravens’ 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night before a crowd of 65,400 at Acrisure Stadium. The winner of the game would go on to secure the No. 4 seed in the seven-team AFC playoffs, and the Ravens seemed on course to play the Houston Texans on Jan. 12 in Baltimore. But Loop’s kick went wide right, and it touched off wild celebration by the Pittsburgh partisan crowd. The Ravens weren’t so happy. “You know the emotion, like that’s we did all that, man, to come up short bro, you know? Devastated,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “Furious. All types of. I don’t know. I’m everywhere with it right now.” Loop was having a strong season, having converted on 29 of 33 field goal attempts and 41 of 43 extra point tries. But regardless of his success, the final verdict of a kicker is determined in the postseason in windy, wintry conditions in places such as Denver, Buffalo or even Pittsburgh. Loop finally faced those conditions and postseason pressure against the Steelers and failed. “Just for it to end like that sucks, and I do want to do better,” Loop said. “Unfortunately, the nature of the kicker’s job is you have makes, and those are awesome, and unfortunately you have misses, and for that to happen tonight sucks. “Those guys have my back and I want to try my best to have theirs. It’s disappointing, and it sucks, but also the nature of the job is I have to move on, and I have to get ready for the next kicks. I’ll spend the offseason and the rest of the time getting ready for that. I love this team and I love these guys, and I wish it had ended differently.” Of the kick, Loop said he caught a little bit of the ground but the operation was great. “I just mishit the ball. We call it hitting it thin,” Loop added. Loop followed a legend in Baltimore. The Ravens had Justin Tucker for 13 seasons, but waived him in May after he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct by Baltimore-area massage therapists. Tucker was Mr. Automatic on the field. He was a five-time All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He converted on 417 of 468 field goal attempts which put him around 90% for his career, among the best marks in league history. When the game was on the line, you wanted Tucker on your team. But Loop struggled Sunday night. He not only failed on the game-winning field goal attempt, but also had a kickoff miss the landing zone, his eighth kickoff penalty, which is three more than any other kicker in the NFL. His poor kickoff led to Pittsburgh getting the ball on its own 40-yard line and scoring on a 2-yard run by Kenneth Gainwell to complete an eight-play, 60-yard drive with 3:49 remaining. The score gave Pittsburgh a 20-17 lead. It just wasn’t Loop’s day. “I talked to him during the game because I kind of was livid at him when he kicked the ball out of bounds,” Jackson said. “But I told him, you know, I’m just hype because of the emotions of the game right now. I felt like it was going to come down to him to win the game for us because of how the game was going. He’s a rookie. It’s all good, Just leave it in the past, man.” Ravens coach John Harbaugh used to be the special teams coach in Philadelphia for years. He talked to Loop after the game. “I don’t remember what I said,” Harbaugh said. “I had him. I talked to him and walked with him and just had a conversation with him, between him and me.” Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ nightmare season is over. Change must follow. | COMMENTARY Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers Tyler Loop’s miss puts spotlight on Ravens’ checkered kicking history NFL pundits react to Ravens’ stunning 26-24 loss to Steelers: ‘MVP Lamar’ You feel sympathy for Loop. When he converted a 40-yard field goal with 13:33 left in the second quarter to push the Ravens ahead, 10-0, there were the usual chants of “Loop” coming from Ravens fanatics. But the Ravens need to get those directional kickoffs under control this offseason, and Loop won’t become “The Guy” until he converts field goals in crunch time in the postseason. That’s the way it goes in the NFL, especially for kickers. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Just like that, the season is over. The Ravens were eliminated from playoff contention after a wild 26-24 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night that clinched the AFC North title for Pittsburgh. After rallying from a 1-5 start to the season and getting an upset win from the Cleveland Browns over the Steelers in Week 17 to keep their hopes alive, Baltimore failed to take advantage of the golden opportunity in a must-win game against its biggest rival. Now, a long offseason awaits. Here’s a look at what to expect: Draft picks After finishing 8-9, the Ravens will have the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. It’s the first time since 2022 that the Ravens will pick 14th, when they selected All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame. The Ravens are expected to have 11 total selections, including four compensatory picks — the maximum number — for the players they lost in free agency last offseason. Their top needs are along the offensive and defensive lines, as well as cornerback and wide receiver. Here are some of the top prospects to watch, according to Pro Football Focus’ big board: Edge defender Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (No. 6 overall) David Bailey, Texas Tech (No. 7) Keldric Faulk, Auburn (No. 14) Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (No. 16) Romello Height, Texas Tech (No. 23) T.J. Parker, Clemson (No. 25) Defensive line Peter Woods, Clemson (No. 10) Caleb Banks, Florida (No. 17) Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (No. 22) Offensive line Spencer Fano, Utah (No. 18) Francis Mauigoa, Miami (No. 20) Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (No. 24) Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (No. 27) Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (No. 8) Carnell Tate, Ohio State (No. 9) Makai Lemon, USC (No. 12) Denzel Boston, Washington (No. 21) Cornerback Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (No. 13) Mansoor Delane, LSU (No. 15) Avieon Terrell, Clemson (No. 19) Free agents The Ravens are currently projected to have $31.4 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. They have a big class of pending free agents, including some notable names. Unrestricted free agents (17) C Tyler Linderbaum CB Chidobe Awuzie EDGE Dre’Mont Jones QB Tyler Huntley FB Patrick Ricard S Alohi Gilman S Ar’Darius Washington OL Daniel Faalele EDGE Kyle Van Noy TE Isaiah Likely P Jordan Stout TE Charlie Kolar LT Joseph Noteboom EDGE David Ojabo DL Taven Bryan DT Brent Urban LB Jake Hummel Contract void (2) WR DeAndre Hopkins WR Tylan Wallace Restricted free agent (1) RB Keaton Mitchell Exclusive rights free agents (4) C Corey Bullock EDGE Carl Jones Jr. DL CJ Okoye WR Dayton Wade Re-signed (3) DT Travis Jones DT John Jenkins LS Nick Moore Biggest questions What happens with QB Lamar Jackson’s contract situation? Under the terms of the five-year, $260 million extension with $185 million guaranteed that Jackson signed ahead of the 2023 season, he carries salary cap hits of $74.5 million in each of the next two seasons. That’s untenable from a roster-building standpoint, so the Ravens either need to give Jackson a new deal or renegotiate the terms of the existing one. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers Tyler Loop’s miss puts spotlight on Ravens’ checkered kicking history NFL pundits react to Ravens’ stunning 26-24 loss to Steelers: ‘MVP Lamar’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 26-24 loss to Steelers Ravens 2026 schedule: Home vs. Chargers, road vs. Cowboys highlight slate As a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, even coming off a disappointing season by his own standards, Jackson would almost certainly command top-of-the-market money. The four-year, $240 million extension that Dak Prescott signed with the Dallas Cowboys before the 2024 season is the current benchmark, averaging $60 million per season. The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and the Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love all average $55 million per season on their recent extensions. On his current deal, Jackson averages $51.2 million in base salary in each of the next two seasons. The last round of negotiations with Jackson included a trade request and a business partner named Ken Francis, whom the league said might have been contacting teams on Jackson’s behalf despite not being an NFL Players Association-certified agent. Jackson still doesn’t have an agent as general manager Eric DeCosta and owner Steve Bisciotti navigate what’s expected to be a new round of contract talks. Is John Harbaugh coming back? Harbaugh said after Sunday night’s loss that he wants to return next season. Whether the franchise feels the same way is yet to be determined. In March, the longtime coach signed a three-year extension through the 2028 season. That doesn’t mean he can’t be fired, as Brian Billick was dismissed in 2007, soon after signing his own new deal. There’s also the possibility of a rare coach trade if another team is interested in parting with draft picks and paying Harbaugh top-of-the-market money. Harbaugh is the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL behind Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, and his .686 winning percentage ranks eighth all-time. But the Ravens haven’t reached the Super Bowl since winning it in 2012 and have advanced past the divisional round just once in that span. The growing discontent about second-half collapses and late-season failures could push the franchise in a new direction. John Harbaugh is under contract to coach the Ravens through 2028. (Justin Berl/AP) Will the coaching staff have drastic changes? The Ravens are already set to lose tight ends coach George Godsey to Georgia Tech, kicking off an inevitable round of coaching turnover. But how deep will the changes be? Defensive coordinator Zach Orr and offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be under the microscope after disappointing seasons on their respective sides of the ball, particularly in big moments. Orr faced scrutiny about his job security early in the season before helping the defense turn into a slightly-above-average unit near the end of the year, according to Defense-adjusted Value Over Average. Monken dealt with Jackson missing four games and relied more heavily on Derrick Henry down the stretch to get the offense near the top 10 in DVOA, but it fell woefully short of preseason expectations. Dismissing one or both coordinators would be an acknowledgement that something needs to change for the Ravens to recapture their form as Super Bowl contenders. The question is whether there are any internal or external candidates who could be an immediate upgrade for a win-now team that values continuity. What happens with Nnamdi Madubuike? Since the star defensive lineman was ruled out for the season with a neck injury in late September, there have been few updates about his status. How long will the two-time Pro Bowl selection be out, and does the injury threaten his career? The 2020 third-round draft pick signed a four-year, $98 million contract extension before the 2024 season. It’s unclear what kind of salary cap relief, if any, the Ravens would receive if Madubuike, 28, is forced to retire. But as long as he’s out, the Ravens will be missing a key piece in the middle of their defense that they have struggled to fill since his departure. Will the Ravens invest in a pass rusher? Dre’Mont Jones led the Ravens with seven sacks this season. Just 2 1/2 of those came in Baltimore after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore’s long search for a star pass rusher will continue this offseason. But just how aggressive will they be in getting one? The 14th overall pick is a nice consolation prize to land an impact player in a class that’s already being heralded for its depth among the edge rushers. There are also some big names to consider in the trade pool, such as the Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, the Miami Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb and the New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux. Trey Hendrickson and Jaelan Phillips will be at the top of the free agent market. Veterans Von Miller (9 sacks) and Jadeveon Clowney (8 1/2 sacks) might not be ready to retire yet, either. Will Tyler Linderbaum and Marlon Humphrey return? Linderbaum has turned into a three-time Pro Bowl selection, which means that the 2022 first-round draft pick will be a highly sought after free agent. Spotrac projects his average annual value at $17.7 million, which would rank among the highest on the Ravens’ roster. After giving new deals to Madubuike, linebacker Roquan Smith, Henry, tight end Mark Andrews, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Travis Jones and left tackle Ronnie Stanley in recent years, and with Jackson’s contract clogging up the salary cap at the moment, there might not be enough money left to secure one of the league’s best centers. That creates more uncertainty on an offensive line that also needs to decide what to do with starting guards Daniel Faalele, a pending free agent, and Andrew Vorhees. Both rated below average by Pro Football Focus’ grading and often drew the ire of fans for their lowlights. Emery Jones Jr., a 2025 third-round draft pick, is the heir apparent after getting some playing time near the end of the season, including when both Faalele and Vorhees were banged up Sunday night. Then there’s Humphrey, who has one year and $19.25 million left on his contract and is due a $4 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2026 league year. That’s among the top salaries at the position for a player who turns 30 years old in July and is not as fast and athletic as he once was. The Ravens could let him play out the final year of his deal (perhaps on a lower salary) or move on. Either way, his situation is worth watching. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

PITTSBURGH —The win probability in the final three minutes Sunday night flickered by more than 40 percentage points before the Ravens let slip what would have been a third straight AFC North crown. They lost to the Steelers, 26-24, in heart-breaking fashion at Acrisure Stadium. Here are five things we learned from the game: Sunday night’s fourth quarter epitomizes Ravens shortcomings Was there a more fittingly cruel way for this season to end than that fourth quarter? It was an incredible show of theater. Just when you were ready to count the Ravens out, they gave you a reason to believe. Then, as they have repeatedly this time of year, fell short in a critical moment. The final stanza ping-ponged in the way Baltimore’s season did, with incompatible phases of the football, one giving another a chance but the three never neatly tethering together. “This sucks. This moment sucks,” linebacker Roquan Smith said. “We had the game right there, right there in our grasps, and it slipped away.” Sunday night proved one of the craziest games in a lengthy rivalry. The Ravens and Steelers duked it out for three hours. They traded body blows in the fourth quarter, scoring a combined 27 points. Ultimately, Pittsburgh clinched its first division title since 2020 and sent home the Ravens, who hadn’t missed the playoffs since 2021. The Ravens’ postgame locker room was a cocktail of frustration and confoundment. They were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. They weren’t supposed to be 1-5. They were supposed to be the kind of team who could rally and make the playoffs. They weren’t supposed to slip in December and rally before the new year only to face plant in January. Lamar Jackson was equal parts “devastated” and “furious” for how it ended. “It’s disappointing,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I think our guys fought. We were that close to winning the [AFC] North, and we didn’t get a chance to get it done. So, all that other stuff is history. We had a chance to do it; we didn’t do it. We’re disappointed, and we’ll move on.” Tyler Loop misfires season’s final bullet There he sat, still in full uniform while most others had already showered. Loop cupped his head between his hands. At one point, he pulled a Bible out from his bag and peered at a passage. A few teammates walked over to show support. As holder Jordan Stout said, most of those messages fell on deaf ears in the immediate aftermath. What can you say to a 24-year-old rookie kicker who just missed the biggest kick of his life? “I honestly don’t know,” veteran long snapper Nick Moore said. “It’s a very difficult situation to be in. Obviously, we practice for that all season. We spend every single day, every single week working for that moment. At the end of the day, all you can do is do your best. It just didn’t work out for us there. The truth of the matter is that it was a nearly impossible situation to thrust an untested rookie into. Before Sunday night, Loop had only attempted three second-half field goals to tie or take the lead. He made a go-ahead chip shot in the third quarter against Minnesota, nailed a game-tying 44-yard attempt in the fourth quarter against Cleveland and missed a 56-yard try that would have broken a tie with the Patriots. That’s not very many opportunities to prepare for the pressure of shouldering a season-on-the-line kick while many of the 65,400 fans swirled yellow towels in his peripheral. Whether Loop could be ready for a moment like this was a question going back to August. Baltimore hadn’t had that problem in years, relying on Justin Tucker, perhaps the greatest kicker ever, whose Ravens tenure ended during an NFL investigation into allegations by more than a dozen local massage therapists of sexual misconduct. Three months later, the Ravens drafted his successor. Loop showed a powerful swinging leg and confident stroke, but could the kid be trusted in a moment like that for a team that believed it had Super Bowl potential? “I feel for Tyler,” running back Derrick Henry said. “I talked to him. I just told him just to keep his spirits up, deal with it tonight, and then tomorrow, the sun rises again.” Related Articles Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions Tyler Loop’s miss puts spotlight on Ravens’ checkered kicking history NFL pundits react to Ravens’ stunning 26-24 loss to Steelers: ‘MVP Lamar’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 26-24 loss to Steelers Ravens 2026 schedule: Home vs. Chargers, road vs. Cowboys highlight slate Loop said he knew right as his foot struck the ball that it was a misfire. “We call it hitting it thin. It spins fast and goes off to the right,” he said, with Stout and Moore standing over each shoulder. Loop admirably answered 11 questions about the most disappointing moment of his football life. He explained further that when he kicks a football, he aims for the fourth lace of the shoe but that strike felt a little low. His toe scraped a few blades of grass on the downswing, too. Harbaugh ushered Loop off the field and into the locker room. The longtime coach had a private conversation with his first-year kicker, held an arm behind Loop’s back and consoled him on the way inside. In the visiting locker room, a few seats to Loop’s left, sat one of the few Ravens who knew what Loop was going through Sunday night. Mark Andrews dropped the ball at the goal line in the final play of last year’s season. “It’s tough to be in that position. I know that,” Andrews said. “Football’s like life. It’s about how you bounce back. How hard is he gonna work to be in moments like that? I love Tyler and everything he stands for. I know that he’s gonna carry through and be great.” Added Stout: “They’re going to make a movie about him one day. Ten years down the line when he’s the best in the league, I think he’ll look back on it as the moment that made him.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson played one of his best games of the season Sunday night in Pittsburgh. It still wasn't enough. (Matt Durisko/AP) It took 18 weeks, but Lamar Jackson finally played at the MVP level we’re used to Doubting Jackson is a futile exercise. Eventually, at some point, no matter how long it takes, he will make you eat your words. This season has been a trying one for Jackson. He toiled through injuries to half his body. For two months, he failed to log a full week of practice. There were questions about his relationship with his coach and accusations levied against his work ethic. “You’ve got to be calm in the storm,” Jackson responded last week. That he was. Although it will almost certainly be lost in the annals of a storied rivalry and rocky season. Baltimore’s first drive was as smooth as we’ve seen all year, capped by a 38-yard pass to a wide-open Devontez Walker. The offense sputtered from there. Stout punted on four of the next six Ravens drives. Loop hit one field goal then Jackson had a pass tipped into the arms of defensive lineman T.J. Watt for the game’s only interception. Jackson took three sacks, and the offense could barely cross midfield. Then came the fourth quarter. The two-time Most Valuable Player flashed the sort of illogical mastery we’ve come to expect. He escaped two free rushers, held onto the ball for more than five seconds and lofted a deep ball to Zay Flowers for a go-ahead touchdown. Then, when Pittsburgh responded with a go-ahead drive, leaving less than four minutes on the clock, Jackson did it again. He silenced Acrisure Stadium flinging a third-down touchdown pass to Flowers, who on this night, shed the criticism of being a Pro Bowler who couldn’t deliver in the clutch. Trailing again on the final drive, Jackson did it again with a fourth-down rocket to Isaiah Likely that got them into field goal range. “I thought that the plays that were made were incredible,” Harbaugh said. “The sad thing is some of that will get overshadowed now a little bit, but Lamar made some phenomenal plays.” Jackson had a perfect passer rating in the fourth quarter. In the final frame alone, he completed 6 of 8 passes for 171 yards. That was Jackson taking the reins from Derrick Henry, who shouldered much of the offensive burden in the game’s middle half. He ran for 126 yards on 20 carries. Even Pittsburgh’s league-best run defense over the past month had a hard time corralling the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer. It was Jackson who gave his team a chance late Sunday night. He stormed up and down the sideline telling his team, “Let’s be legendary. Let’s put the drive together [in] 55 seconds. We practiced this — 55 seconds and three timeouts.” He came back from injury and, although inconsistent throughout the night, executed at a high level in crunch time. At the twilight of this bristly year, that served as a reminder of who Jackson is. Kyle Hamilton was the Jenga piece that kept the Ravens defense standing this year It was bleak. And it happened rather quickly. Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman collided on an innocuous, incomplete second-down throw. Both Baltimore safeties were shaken up. Gilman stepped into the blue medical tent first to be evaluated for a concussion. He was back on the field three plays later. Hamilton stepped in next. At that moment, it felt more pressing to lock eyes on the visiting sideline rather than track the driving Steelers. Hamilton eventually emerged between blue cloth doors. He didn’t put a helmet on. Baltimore’s highly paid defensive centerpiece joined medical staffers on a cart aimed toward the locker room. The last thing Hamilton saw was Steelers fullback Connor Heyward punch in a tush-push touchdown that tied the game at 10 apiece. With Hamilton on the field, the Steelers offense averaged 3.9 yards per play on 38 plays. They had a 37% success rate, according to analyst Warren Sharp. Without Hamilton, Aaron Rodgers’ offense picked Baltimore apart for 6.9 yards per play on 35 plays at a 60% success clip. Even Harbaugh had a tough time quantifying Hamilton’s impact. “It was definitely not a good thing,” he said. Baltimore’s quintessential Swiss Army knife has fit into every corner of Zach Orr’’s defensive scheme and masked issues at every level. “He is not a guy that you could just plug and play somebody and play the same way,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “It made us adjust how we were calling our defense, and we, obviously, tried to fill the gaps, but we just weren’t able to get it done down the stretch.” The same defense that bowed up before halftime, keeping Pittsburgh from scoring six feet from the end zone, floundered late. In the fourth quarter, Rodgers connected with tight end Pat Freiermuth on a critical third-and-8 that set Pittsburgh up inside the 5-yard line. Kenneth Gainwell scored two plays later. On the next Steelers drive, Rodgers, who didn’t have his top receiver, DK Metcalf, had no issues operating a two-minute drill that ended in a long toss up the left sideline to Calvin Austin. Austin stutter-stepped Chidobe Awuzie and found green grass. Rodgers finished the night with 294 yards passing. He completed 31 of 47 passes and a touchdown. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game, as he has in recent weeks, this was Pittsburgh’s vision when they recruited Rodgers in the spring. “They made some really good plays, and we didn’t do as well as we needed to do,” Harbaugh said. “We really didn’t get enough sacks. I think we had one sack, maybe, two sacks. You want to get there, and you want to get to [Rodgers] a little more. “It’s the chunk plays that have gotten us, and they came up again in this game, and yes, it’s really disappointing. It’s not something that should happen as much as it did. They gave up some chunk plays, too, in the back end, so it’s football, and it happens, but we don’t want that to happen.” John Harbaugh and the Ravens will watch this year's NFL postseason from home. (Matt Durisko/AP) Decisions will need to be made It’s natural when a season ends this way — far short of expectations in such gut-wrenching fashion — that questions arise about personnel and leadership roles. This was the third season in Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure the Ravens finished with a losing record. As there have been all year, there will be calls for a coaching change. Only owner Steve Bisciotti can make that decision. But players in the locker room backed their coach as Sunday night turned into Monday. “I love Coach Harbaugh. I would love to see him at this organization,” Henry said. “As far as those decisions, that’s out of my pay grade. I don’t make those decisions, but yes, I love everybody in this organization. I tried my best this year, but just didn’t do enough to get it done.” Added Andrews: “I love Coach Harbaugh and Lamar. The type of men that they are and the type of leaders that they are. I couldn’t ask for a better organization and better people to be able to come to work every day and just try to compete and win with.” And Smith: “I hear, ‘Coach this. Coach that.’ But at the end of the day, yes, Coach 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, even play in and play out, 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.” However, the Ravens stumbled in the AFC championship game two years ago, lost to the Bills in the AFC divisional round a season ago and failed to make the playoffs this year. So something is bound to change — whatever that is. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. 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It all came down to a kick. On a night that served as the de facto AFC North championship game, the Ravens faced the moment without the certainty that they had relied on for more than a decade. After an offseason in which the Ravens released franchise legend Justin Tucker — who spent 13 seasons with the team and established himself as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history before more than a dozen sexual misconduct allegations ended his tenure — there was a new kicker in Baltimore. The team drafted Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft to lock down the position for the next decade. So, of course, a division title and a playoff berth came down to a kick. One directly over the end zone that a Pittsburgh priest had blessed with “holy water” before the game. It ended with Loop’s head down, both hands gripping his facemask as the Steelers’ sideline rushed onto the field to celebrate. Lamar Jackson hopped in anticipation, then stopped. A blank stare overcame him as he congratulated players from the opposing team. A missed 44-yard field goal attempt, wide right. Season over. “Devastating. Furious,” Jackson said after the 26-24 defeat. “I’m everywhere with it right now.” The 26-24 loss echoed the end of the 2011 season, when Billy Cundiff missed a potential game-tying kick in the AFC championship game with 11 seconds left. Tucker was brought in as an undrafted free agent the ensuing offseason. He was transformative. Thirteen years of near-automatic kicks erased any potential fear that Cundiff created. He turned the franchise’s most painful memory into its greatest certainty. And for more than a decade, even when everything else faltered, the kick rarely did. Until Sunday night. Loop said that he knew the moment the ball left his foot that he missed it. The Ravens coach him to strike the ball on the fourth lace, he said, but he missed too low. Related Articles Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers NFL pundits react to Ravens’ stunning 26-24 loss to Steelers: ‘MVP Lamar’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 26-24 loss to Steelers Ravens 2026 schedule: Home vs. Chargers, road vs. Cowboys highlight slate “Unfortunately, I just mishit the ball,” Loop said. “We call it hitting it thin. It spins fast and goes off to the right.” The miss was set up by Jackson’s 26-yard completion to tight end Isaiah Likely on fourth-and-7, which moved the Ravens into field goal range with 21 seconds left. Pittsburgh had made the go-ahead opportunity even possible a drive earlier when kicker Chris Boswell missed an extra point attempt after Calvin Austin III’s go-ahead touchdown catch, keeping it a two-point game with 55 seconds to go. Boswell had made 89 extra points in a row before his crucial miss. Asked what he would have done if Loop’s kick had gone in, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin offered a blunt response. “If my aunt had male parts, she’d be my uncle,” Tomlin said. Loop said after he was drafted that he welcomed the chance to follow in Tucker’s footsteps. He said he wanted “to be chasing perfection.” NBC analyst Rodney Harrison said that it looked like Loop was doing exactly that in his warmup kicks — and that it worked against him. Harrison said Loop appeared uncomfortable, like someone who had never been in that moment before. He hadn’t. It was Loop’s first kick all season in that situation. His latest attempt to tie or take the lead before Sunday came from 44 yards with 4:59 remaining at Cleveland on Nov. 16. Coach John Harbaugh walked with Loop after the game, an arm around his waist. Loop later sat at his locker and read a prayer he had written before kickoff. Jackson later reposted a video on X suggesting a leveraging penalty should have been called on Steelers receiver Ben Skowronek, though no flag was thrown and the TV broadcast never suggested a missed call. Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) reacts after missing a field goal during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) attempts a field goal as time expires during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) misses a field goal attempt during the second half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) misses a field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) walks off the field with offensive tackle Carson Vinson (71) after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) reacts after missing a field goal in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) misses a field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) watches his missed field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) attempts to kick a field goal that was missed during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Show Caption1 of 10Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) reacts after missing a field goal during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)Expand Loop said that his phone was filled with encouraging messages from family and friends. Loop spoke with reporters for more than seven minutes, repeatedly emphasizing how much the season meant to him. “I’m super grateful to Baltimore — the organization, the city — just how they’ve embraced me this year is incredible,” he said. “Just for it to end like that sucks.” The team stood by him. Long snapper Nick Moore and holder Jordan Stout remained at his side as he spoke with reporters. Jackson said Loop should just “leave it in the past.” The quarterback said that he had spoken to Loop earlier in the fourth quarter and was “livid” after the kicker sent a kickoff out of bounds — a penalty that gave the Steelers possession at the 40-yard line — with 8:42 remaining, just after Jackson connected with Zay Flowers on the first of two deep fourth-quarter touchdown passes. Pittsburgh scored a go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing drive as part of a wild back-and-forth ending. On the final play before the missed kick, Jackson took a knee — losing 2 yards — to center the ball for Loop, a decision Harbaugh later defended. “It was a close kick. You want to center the ball,” Harbaugh said. “We wanted to make sure we got the kick. We didn’t want something bad to happen on the run.” Loop finished his rookie season converting 30 of 34 field goal attempts, the 12th-highest percentage in the NFL. This was his first missed field goal attempt inside 50 yards all season. Stout said that he told Loop that the moment did not define him. He added that even if Loop couldn’t absorb the message immediately, he planned to keep supporting him and being there in the days ahead. “No one should have to start out their rookie year like this, especially at the end of the year. He doesn’t get another chance to show people what he’s capable of,” Stout said. “Ten years down the line when he’s the best in the league, I think he’ll look back on it as the moment that made him.” Meanwhile, Tucker — who owns the third-best field goal percentage in league history and once held the record for the longest field goal — remains a free agent eligible to sign with a team after serving a 10-game suspension imposed by the NFL. And despite a promising rookie campaign that suggested Loop could fill those shoes, it will be remembered for one kick. The final one. It’ll lead to only more questions about the futures of Harbaugh and Jackson with the Ravens. And it resurrects a familiar ending to a season in Baltimore. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson did just about everything he could Sunday to lead his team to the postseason. It didn’t work out that way. Despite the quarterback’s fourth-quarter heroics, Baltimore’s defensive struggles and a missed kick by Tyler Loop doomed its season. The Steelers beat the Ravens, 26-24, to win the AFC North and make the postseason. Here’s what national pundits had to say about Baltimore’s heartbreaking defeat in Week 18 of the NFL season: Bill Simmons, The Ringer Simmons focused some of his postgame analysis on Baltimore’s 10-0 lead. Early in the game, it looked as if the Ravens were going to run away with a victory, only for the Steelers to slowly crawl back into the game and then keep pace offensively in the final 15 minutes. “I do think this is one of those games that if they played it 20 times, I think the Ravens probably win 16 of the 20,” he said. “There’s a version of this game where they’re just up 20-3 in the second quarter … it just felt like a bunch of those moments where they couldn’t get over the hump. And then Pittsburgh, as soon as Hamilton — who’s the best guy on the defense — goes out, Pittsburgh starts moving. You got to give them credit, though, they’ve won a few of these.” Tim Hasselbeck, ESPN Hasselbeck says that Jackson delivered on the big stage, but his struggles throughout the season as he battled injuries was part of why Sunday’s game even mattered at all. “Lamar was MVP Lamar tonight,” the former NFL quarterback said. When you needed it the most, a negative play turned into a go-ahead, winning touchdown pass to Zay Flowers. He was MVP Lamar, but you find yourself in this situation because he wasn’t for the season.” Mina Kimes, ESPN “I don’t even know what you say about the Ravens at this point, man. If it isn’t one thing it’s another,” the analyst posted on X. It’s been a series of heartbreaks for Baltimore during Jackson’s tenure. The 2023 and 2024 seasons included narrow playoff losses to AFC rivals, and the 2025 season ended with a two-point defeat to a bitter rival because of a missed 44-yard field goal attempt. It’s been a challenging few seasons for Ravens fans hoping for a Super Bowl title. Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports Jones shared a few thoughts about John Harbaugh’s future in Baltimore. Some fans want the Ravens to move on from Harbaugh. “We’ll see what happens over these next couple of months,” Jones said. “It’s a heart-wrenching loss. Do I think that Harbaugh will not be the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2026? Not right now. If they had gotten run out of the building, then we could have a different conversation … I do think Harbaugh is back in 2026.” Bryant McFadden, CBS Sports The former Steelers defensive back thinks that the Ravens’ defense doesn’t meet the franchise standard. “When I look at the Baltimore Ravens when I played with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one thing we knew they were going to have? Pass rushers or a pass rusher that would initiate all the success,” McFadden said. “They don’t have that guy right now. Kyle Van Noy is that guy, but he’s a bit older. What happened to the Terrell Suggs, the Peter Boulware’s of the world?” Baltimore sacked Rodgers twice in the game, but Pittsburgh’s quarterback largely played from a clean pocket. He passed for 294 yards Sunday, marking only the second time all season he eclipsed 275 passing yards. The other time? Dec. 7 against the Ravens. Related Articles Ravens offseason guide: Draft picks, free agents, biggest questions 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Steelers Tyler Loop’s miss puts spotlight on Ravens’ checkered kicking history The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 26-24 loss to Steelers Ravens 2026 schedule: Home vs. Chargers, road vs. Cowboys highlight slate Patrick Peterson, CBS Sports Peterson, a former NFL cornerback, took a forward-looking approach to analyzing the defeat. He’s not sold on Baltimore’s roster construction. “They need a prolific pass catcher,” Peterson said. “The Baltimore Ravens haven’t had a prolific pass catcher since Steve Smith? Anquan Boldin? Derrick Mason? They need to go out and find some prolific pass catchers, and 100%, they need pass rushers. They have the interior linebacker, but they don’t have that pass rusher that can get to the passer on a consistent basis.” Mike Tomlin, Steelers coach Not a pundit, of course, Tomlin delivered a notable one-liner in Sunday’s aftermath. Asked about a hypothetical scenario where the Ravens instead made the last-second field goal to beat his team, Tomlin had a quick reply. “If my aunt had male parts, she’d be my uncle,” he said. Pittsburgh, not Baltimore, advances to the playoffs. The Steelers host the Texans next week in the AFC wild-card round, as Ravens fans will be left wondering, “What if?” until September. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

PITTSBURGH — Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position in their 26-24 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 18: Quarterback Lamar Jackson played well, especially in the second half when the Ravens fell behind. Jackson completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns and had touchdown passes of 50 and 64 yards in the fourth quarter. He also completed a 26-yard pass over the middle to tight end Isaiah Likely, which set up rookie Tyler Loop’s missed 44-yard field goal as time expired. Jackson had a rough start, but came through in crunch time. Grade: A Running backs Derrick Henry rushed 20 times for 126 yards and the Ravens stayed with his power most of the game, and that in itself should have been enough. Henry had a long run of 41 yards, but the Ravens need help in finding a pass-blocking running back because Rasheen Ali isn’t quite good enough. Also, backup running back Keaton Mitchell looked tired during the game and had little acceleration, even though he had a big kickoff return late in the game. Grade: B Offensive line Baltimore finished with 137 yards rushing and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. As a unit, they did fairly well in the first half, but the Steelers started cramming the line of scrimmage in the second half to slow down Henry, which worked. The Ravens have struggled pass blocking all season and their best play has always been Jackson running around and improvising. Pittsburgh finished with three sacks and five hits on the quarterback. The Ravens finished with 359 yards of total offense, but Jackson made this group look better than it played. Grade: C+ Receivers Zay Flowers had a big game and had four catches for 138 yards with touchdown receptions of 50 and 64 yards in the fourth period. It still remains to be seen why linebacker Patrick Queen was covering Flowers on the 50-yard touchdown pass. The rest of the group was complementary as usual and the Ravens got ample production from tight ends Mark Andrews and Likely, who each had two catches. Grade: C Defensive line The Steelers got enough from their running game to offset some of the pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In fact, Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren rushed 14 times for 66 yards, and the Steelers appeared to wear down the Ravens’ defense in the second half. Pittsburgh had 390 yards of total offense, and the Ravens didn’t get much pressure in the final two quarters. Brent Urban played well in goal-to-go situations, and John Jenkins add three tackles as well to tie Urban. But the Ravens can’t get pressure from the interior line. That’s become the standard for this group. Grade: C Linebackers It was very strange but fitting that middle linebacker Roquan Smith finished with only three tackles. He was victimized over the middle by the Pittsburgh tight ends and receivers, where Rodgers kept hitting them with slant patterns. The Ravens played well in the first half, but the group seemed to tire in the second. Weakside linebacker Simpson finished with eight tackles and has played well since replacing injured fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan. Tavius Robinson finished with six tackles including one sack and one hit on the quarterback, but the Ravens need a dominating force up front. Grade: C Secondary The Ravens tried to mix and match coverages but they still have one major weakness during the past two seasons. They can’t tackle. Safety Kyle Hamilton had nine tackles and fellow safety Alohi Gilman had eight, but the Ravens missed several opportunities and it was the usual suspects like cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and safety Malaki Starks. Plus, Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown, and he finished with a passer rating of 90.2. Worse part, he is 42 years old and beat up on the Ravens with a lot of short passes in the flat. Grade: D Special teams Rookie placekicker Tyler Loop had a good season, but it was only a matter of time before the final verdict was determined by attempting a game-winning field goal in the cold with postseason aspirations on the line. He failed, and let’s just hope the rookie can recover. Overall, he’s still a good kid who replaced Justin Tucker, the best kicker in NFL history. Punter Jordan Stout averaged 47.8 yards per punt and bailed Baltimore out with good field position in the first half as Jackson struggled. Keaton Mitchell had a 41-yard kickoff return to set up Loop’s failed attempt at the end. Grade: B Coaching The Ravens stayed with Henry, and that’s been a problem area the past two years. Jackson gave the offense a new dimension by doing what he does best, running around and making plays, but the Ravens need to find offensive linemen who can pass block. Defensively, the Ravens were lost again in the secondary, and the final 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III was unacceptable. There needs to be some changes on both sides of the ball. Grade: C Related Articles Ravens 2026 schedule: Home vs. Chargers, road vs. Cowboys highlight slate Ravens’ season ends in heartbreak as Tyler Loop misses FG on last play of 26-24 loss to Steelers Instant analysis from Ravens’ 26-24 season-ending loss to Steelers Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton ruled out vs. Steelers; Nate Wiggins exits in 4th quarter Ravens vs. Steelers, January 4, 2026 | PHOTOS View the full article

The 2025 NFL regular season is over, which means the 2026 matchups are set. For the Ravens, who lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night to finish as the runner-up in the AFC North, that means playing a second-place schedule for the first time since 2022. In addition to their six games against the AFC North — three at home and three away against the Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals — the Ravens will face the AFC South, NFC South and the runners-up of the AFC East, AFC West and NFC East. Under the NFL’s scheduling rotation, the Ravens will host the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. They’ll play road games against the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. NFC teams will have the extra home game in 2026. In finishing 8-9 this season after last-second heartbreak in Pittsburgh, Baltimore fell just short of becoming the fourth team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and the first since the 2020 Washington Football Team to overcome a 1-5 start and make the playoffs. In a roller-coaster season, just two of the Ravens’ wins came against teams that made the postseason: the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley started both of those games for injured star Lamar Jackson. The Ravens also uncharacteristically struggled at home, going 3-6 at M&T Bank Stadium for their first losing record in Baltimore since 2015. Since coach John Harbaugh’s first season in 2008, the Ravens have won 102 home games, which ranks third-most in the NFL over that span behind only Green Bay and New England. Next season figures to be much easier in Charm City, with the Saints (6-11), Titans (3-14) and Buccaneers (8-9) all finishing below .500 in 2025. At the same time, the Jaguars (13-4) and Chargers (11-6) were among the top teams in the AFC and are the most likely bets for a prime-time home game in 2026, especially with the Harbaugh brothers connection between Baltimore and Los Angeles. The road slate also includes three teams that finished below .500 in the Falcons (7-10), Panthers (8-9) and Colts (8-9). But the Texans (12-5) and Bills (12-5) put together strong seasons and are likely to be Super Bowl contenders again. The Cowboys went a disappointing 7-9-1 but always draw attention. Those three matchups are likely to be appealing for the NFL’s schedule-makers when it comes to setting prime-time dates, too. Thanks to a pair of flexible scheduling games in Weeks 16, 17 and 18, the Ravens finished the 2025 season with seven prime-time games, going 2-5 in them. Even coming off a disappointing regular season, the Ravens are likely to command the spotlight once again next year when the full schedule is announced in May. Ravens 2026 opponents Home: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Saints, Buccaneers, Chargers Away: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Falcons, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Cowboys Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles Ravens’ season ends in heartbreak as Tyler Loop misses FG on last play of 26-24 loss to Steelers Instant analysis from Ravens’ 26-24 season-ending loss to Steelers Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton ruled out vs. Steelers; Nate Wiggins exits in 4th quarter Ravens vs. Steelers, January 4, 2026 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Steelers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 26-24 loss View the full article

PITTSBURGH — A week ago, a watch party at Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s home for the Steelers’ loss to the Browns in Cleveland turned “uncorked,” the 18th-year coach said. By Sunday night, however, the mood had turned rightfully sour. In a win-or-go-home contest against its biggest rival, Baltimore’s season fizzled out like week-old champagne, at least when it mattered most. Trailing the Steelers 26-24 with 2 seconds remaining in a wild back-and-forth second half of back-and-forth lead changes down the stretch, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right as time expired. Super Bowl favorites at the start of the season, the Ravens’ championship hopes were officially extinguished at the convergence of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, where so many of their dreams had died before and did so once again in familiarly excruciating fashion. Even when the Ravens looked like they’d find a way to win, they couldn’t. Leading 24-20 with just over two minutes remaining after Lamar Jackson (11 of 18 passing 238 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) connected on a 64-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers for the go-ahead score, 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers (31 of 47 passing, 294 yards, one touchdown) drove the Steelers 65 yards in six plays, connecting with a wide-open Calvin Austin III on a busted coverage for the game-clinching score. Still, Baltimore had a chance. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed the extra point, and Keaton Mitchell’s kick return gave the Ravens the ball just short of midfield. Faced with a fourth-and-7 from the 50, Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely, who made a spectacular leaping catch to get the Ravens within field goal range. But like so many other opportunities, this was another missed one. The loss to Pittsburgh in the regular season’s final week officially eliminated Baltimore from playoff contention. The Steelers are AFC North champs for the first time since 2020 and will host a wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans next Monday night. Ravens players will disperse on Monday after Baltimore failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2021. The defeat was also the fifth in Baltimore’s past six trips to the Steel City. More notably, it brings an end to a year that began with so much promise and ended with a thud, with only frustration and questions that will echo across the weeks and months ahead. Questions about Harbaugh’s future, those of his offensive and defensive coordinators Todd Monken and Zach Orr, respectively, and even the franchise quarterback who eight years ago on draft night promised to bring a Vince Lombardi trophy to Charm City. Instead, it’s wait till next year — again. Related Articles Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton ruled out vs. Steelers with concussion Ravens vs. Steelers, January 4, 2026 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Steelers live updates: Baltimore takes 17-13 lead in 4th quarter Texans clinch AFC’s No. 5 seed, will face Ravens or Steelers on road Ravens WR Rashod Bateman ruled out vs. Steelers; 2 players called up Whatever the fallout, these Ravens will almost certainly not look the same next season. As for this 30th anniversary campaign, it will go down as an abject disaster. It was just two years ago that the Ravens were on the precipice of the sport’s final and biggest game. Harbaugh and Jackson led the Ravens to the NFL’s best record at 13-4 and the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. But Baltimore did what it has done too often of late when the stakes are the biggest and came up small in a 17-10 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, with questionable coaching decisions over play calling, missed scoring opportunities and three costly turnovers providing plenty of offseason fodder and fury. Last season, the Ravens stumbled early — the sting of the previous year perhaps still lingering — but bounced back. Facing a two-game deficit in the division with four to play, they won out, including against the nemesis Steelers, to capture a second straight AFC North crown. Yet, their postseason woes continued, losing 27-25 to the Buffalo Bills in a performance stained by three crucial turnovers, including two by Jackson, and a dropped would-be game-tying 2-point conversion pass by Mark Andrews with 93 seconds remaining. This time, and despite expectations, the Ravens didn’t come close to even making it that far. Five losses in their first six games — including squandering a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to the Bills in upstate New York — nearly torpedoed their chances from the start. Along the way, Jackson injured his hamstring and missed three games, two of them losses. Like previous years, though, the Ravens climbed their way out of the hole they’d dug themselves, rattling off five straight wins to climb to the top of the division. Turn the corner? It was all a tease. Baltimore dropped two straight division games at home, matching a franchise high with five turnovers in a Thanksgiving night debacle against the Cincinnati Bengals at home then getting bullied by the Steelers the next week. The first shutout of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s NFL career followed, then the Ravens blew another double-digit fourth-quarter lead, this time to the New England Patriots in Baltimore. With Jackson injured after suffering a back contusion in that defeat, the Ravens rode the long and strong legs of Derrick Henry to a victory over the Green Bay Packers last week to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The Steelers breathed further life into them with a loss to the Browns a day later, setting up the first matchup for the division title in the season’s final week between the longtime foes. But like the rest of the year for the Ravens, it was one step forward, two steps back. Now the party is over. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ season-ending 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the 2025 NFL regular season on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh: Brian Wacker, reporter Like so many games before the Ravens had victory within their grasp until they didn’t. Not even some late-game would-be heroics by Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely or Derrick Henry’s running could save them. Tyler Loop’s missed field goal to win the game epitomized Baltimore’s failings as a team and an organization this season. Now there will be a long offseason of questions that will linger deep into the night from the head coach on down. Mike Preston, columnist The Steelers and the Ravens created one of the craziest games in their history, and Pittsburgh was fortunate to come out on the victorious end and win the AFC North championship. With the win, the Steelers earned a No. 4 seed in the postseason and will play the Houston Texans on Monday night in Pittsburgh. It was a wild finish with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throwing two long touchdown passes in the final four minutes and helping set up rookie Tyler Loop for the potential game-winning 44-yard field goal that was off the mark as time expired. Sam Cohn, reporter That’s about as gut-wrenching an ending to this Ravens season as we could’ve imagined. Season on the line, the Ravens had a chance. That fourth quarter pingponged in a show of unbelievable theater. Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers had a legacy fourth quarter. These Ravens haven’t played complementary football all season. On the biggest stage, under twinkly January lights, a blown defensive coverage cost them. But the offense did its part. And Loop’s missed kick sent the Steelers sideline into a frenzy. A long offseason awaits. C.J. Doon, editor Every year, the same nightmare. Only this time it didn’t even come in the postseason. Not officially, anyway. The Ravens had this game won, it seemed, when they led 10-3 and bowed up to stop the Steelers at the goal line to end the first half. Then, Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman collided. Hamilton left the game on a cart, bound for the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion. As NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said, “I can’t tell you how much of the Ravens’ defense just went into the tent and off the field with Kyle Hamilton.” If that wasn’t bad enough, Lamar Jackson’s pass got tipped and picked off by — who else? — T.J. Watt. Another year, another backbreaking turnover at a critical moment. Need everyone be reminded of the Mark Andrews fumble last year? Jackson’s exasperated reaction, hands raised, said it all. “How is this happening again?” That wasn’t the worst of it. Far from it. To see Chris Boswell miss an extra point attempt — just his second missed PAT in four years –to give the Ravens life, only for it be snatched away by rookie Tyler Loop’s miss was a haunting sequence. I think it would be risky to fire John Harbaugh and bet on another coach coming in and leading the Ravens to greater heights. The injuries are enough of a reason to give him some grace for a disappointing season. But maybe there’s an argument that something drastic needs to change for Baltimore to rid itself of this curse when it comes to important games. It’s been a long time since the magic of 2012. Owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta have a lot to ponder this offseason, including a potential Jackson extension and how much that should cost. Trading him seems like the nuclear option that would only come with the belief that Jackson’s best days are behind him. That would be another huge bet. But what perhaps hurts the most is that it felt like this team, despite all the drama and frustration this season, had the potential to go on an amazing run in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open AFC. It’s a shame that we’ll never know for sure. Tim Schwartz, editor The Ravens went right down the field on their opening drive and scored a touchdown with ease. How did it go so wrong from there? Inexplicable, really. Derrick Henry had nearly three times as many rushing yards as the Steelers had yards in the first quarter. Baltimore was sticking to its script. It spiraled from there, as it has so many times over the past few years. Even with Lamar Jackson’s magical moment — a go-ahead 50-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers early in the fourth quarter — you could almost sense that Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers would answer. And they did. And even after Jackson and Flowers were given a gift with 2:20 left — a completely blown coverage for a wide-open 64-yard score — Pittsburgh had the answer. Again. This season was a flat-out disaster for the Ravens, so it’s fitting it ended this way, falling short with one final shot at redemption. A huge offseason awaits. Who survives it? Don the Ravens run it back with coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson? Does either coordinator come back? Does Eric DeCosta’s seat start to get hot? Will owner Steve Bisciotti address any of this with the media for the first time in four years? We’re going to find out much sooner than any Ravens fan wanted to. Bennett Conlin, editor How did Baltimore lose that game?? The Ravens jumped out to a 10-0 lead and looked poised to demolish a short-handed Steelers squad. Even after an awful stretch in the middle of the game, Baltimore rallied to take a 17-13 lead in the fourth quarter. Then the Ravens led, 24-20, later in the quarter. All they needed at the end was a 44-yard field goal to win it. The Ravens couldn’t hold on, finding a way to lose a game it seemingly had in the bag at multiple points. It’s a fitting end to the 2025 season. Losing to an aging Aaron Rodgers and a middling Steelers team twice in one season? It’s inexcusable. Finishing 8-9 despite having one of the most talented rosters in the NFL? That’s also inexcusable, even considering injuries to Lamar Jackson. Baltimore needs an offseason shake-up. Whether that’s major changes to the roster or a coaching staff overhaul remains to be seen, but the Ravens can’t just run it back next season. This season was baffling. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton exited Baltimore’s Sunday night game against Pittsburgh in the third quarter after an awkward collision. He was later ruled out with a concussion. Hamilton and safety Alohi Gilman hit helmets shortly after halftime while contesting a pass to Calvin Austin III. Both were evaluated for a concussion, but Gilman returned on the next play following a timeout. The secondary then took another hit when cornerback Nate Wiggins exited the game in the middle of the fourth. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered Hamilton a fist bump as Hamilton walked to the sideline after the play. Hamilton was carted off as Steelers fullback Connor Heyward scored a touchdown to tie the game at 10 in the third quarter. Pittsburgh took a 13-10 lead one possession later on a 25-yard Chris Boswell field goal. The 2021 first-round pick is the centerpiece of Baltimore’s defense, totaling 53 tackles and two forced fumbles entering the game. He recorded nine tackles before exiting. The Ravens traded for Gilman on Oct. 7. The move allowed Hamilton to split time at linebacker, safety, slot corner and along the edge. He earned his third Pro Bowl selection and is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded safety. Gilman, rookie Malaki Starks and Ar’Darius Washington will try to fill his void the rest of the game. Wiggins exited after his leg was rolled up on by Steelers running back Jaylen Warren with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. He remained on the ground briefly before being helped off the field by trainers. Cornerback T.J. Tampa replaced him. The Steelers retook a 20-17 lead with 3:49 remaining. Wiggins recorded two pass deflections and four tackles before exiting. He had three interceptions entering the game. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, or x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens vs. Steelers, January 4, 2026 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Steelers live updates: Baltimore takes 17-13 lead in 4th quarter Texans clinch AFC’s No. 5 seed, will face Ravens or Steelers on road Ravens WR Rashod Bateman ruled out vs. Steelers; 2 players called up Ravens assistant to become Georgia Tech offensive coordinator: reports View the full article

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jabrill Peppers (40) reacts after Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop's missed field goal attempt in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) watches his missed field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) attempts to kick a field goal that was missed during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker, top, celebrates with wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) after a touchdown by Flowers during the second half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) pulls in a catch during the second half an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward (83) pushes for a touchdown during the second half an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) is stopped short of the endzone during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs for yards during the second half an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs after a catch during the second half an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) is looked at after a play during the second half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) reacts after being stopped short of the endzone during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman, left, reacts after the Pittsburgh Steelers were stopped on fourth down during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, hands the ball off to running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, center, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson, left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith (0) and safety Alohi Gilman (12) react after stopping Pittsburgh Steelers on fourth down during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) dives for yardage as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens guard Daniel Faalele reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith, left, moves in to sack Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (81) runs in a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (81) runs in a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl) Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) is unable to pull in a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up prior to Sunday's game against the Steelers. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) View the full article

The Ravens visit the Steelers for a prime-time matchup Sunday. The winner secures the AFC North crown and makes the postseason, while the loser’s season will end. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. View the full article

HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud accounted for two touchdowns and Ka’imi Fairbairn made a go-ahead field goal with 12 seconds left to lift the Houston Texans to a 38-30 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday that extended their winning streak to nine games. The victory gives the Texans (12-5) the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai scooped up a fumble on the final play and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to pad the lead. The Texans clinched a third straight postseason berth last week and they had a chance to win the AFC South with a victory and a Jacksonville loss. But with the Jaguars up big over the Titans at halftime, coach DeMeco Ryans opted to rest quarterback Stroud, defensive stars Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley and several other starters after the break. The Colts led 30-29 after a field goal with about 2 1/2 minutes to go before Fairbairn’s 43-yard kick put the Texans on top 32-30 and gave him a career-high six field goals in the game. Rookie Riley Leonard had 270 yards passing with two TDs and he ran for another score. But he also lost a fumble and threw an interception in his first NFL start after the 44-year-old Philip Rivers started the past three games for the Colts after coming out of retirement. It’s the seventh straight loss for the Colts (8-9), who were eliminated from postseason contention with Houston’s win last week. Stroud had an 11-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and added a 2-yard run in the period to put the Texans up 20-10. The Texans trailed 27-26 early in the fourth when Alijah Huzzie picked off Leonard to give them great field position. They failed to move the ball and settled for a 44-yard field goal to take a 29-27 lead. Jonathan Taylor had 14 carries for just 26 yards to end the season with 1,585 yards and finish second in the NFL in yards rushing behind Buffalo’s James Cook. Alec Pierce had four receptions for a season-high 132 yards with two touchdowns before being ejected late in the third quarter for making contact with an official. He was ejected when he brushed an official with his arm as he was complaining about a flag not being thrown on a pass intended for him in the end zone. He was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and disqualified. The Colts took a 24-23 lead on a 1-yard TD scamper by Leonard on Indy’s first drive of the second half. That score was set up by a 53-yard reception by Pierce. Houston went back on top with a 43-yard field goal later in the third. After the penalty on Pierce, the Colts settled for a 39-yard field goal that put them up 27-26. Houston took a 13-10 lead when Stroud threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins with about 9 ½ minutes left in the first half. About a minute later, Danielle Hunter sacked Leonard and caused a fumble which Henry To’oTo’o recovered on the 2-yard line. Stroud ran for the score on the next play to make it 20-10. Pierce’s second touchdown came on an 8-yard grab that capped a 92-yard drive and cut the lead to 20-17 with about 90 seconds until halftime. Fairbairn’s 29-yard field goal extended the lead to 23-17 at halftime. Leonard connected with Pierce on a 66-yard touchdown pass to put the Colts up 7-3 early in the first. Fairbairn’s second field goal of the game cut the lead to 7-6 later in the first. A 50-yard field goal by Blake Grupe pushed Indy’s lead to 10-6 near the end of the quarter. Injuries Houston RB Jawhar Jordan injured his ankle in the second quarter and didn’t return. Up next The Texans will hit the road for the playoffs next week with an opponent to be determined. View the full article