ExtremeRavens Posted Wednesday at 08:35 PM Posted Wednesday at 08:35 PM Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey wrote on X, “John Harbaugh. A good man.” Defensive end Brent Urban offered similar praise, pecking out, “Much love to Harbs. Best coach I ever had. It was an honor and a privilege.” Most of Baltimore’s players, many of whom were in the process of returning home or headed on vacation or getting back to life in a non-playoff world, did not have a reaction on social media to Harbaugh’s firing as the news broke early Tuesday evening. That included quarterback Lamar Jackson. On Wednesday, in his first Instagram post since owner Steve Bisciotti’s announcement that he had relieved the 18-year head coach of his duties, Jackson did post a series of photos of himself from the course of the season. He also posted an Instagram story that showed a photo of him from his arrival at Acrisure Stadium with the song “Comin out Strong” by Future. Trying to assign meaning to Jackson’s post is a fool’s errand, but when Jackson was asked after Sunday night’s loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh if he would like to see the only coach he’s ever had return, the frustrated two-time NFL Most Valuable Player did not reply in the affirmative. Instead, he said he was “caught up” in the defeat and “can’t focus on that right now,” adding that he was stunned and still trying to process what just happened. What role Jackson played in the decision not to bring Harbaugh back isn’t clear — and might never fully be — but all of this played out swiftly and with only a statement from Bisciotti and a couple of posts on the team’s X account. Neither Bisciotti nor general manager Eric DeCosta have spoken with reporters and it was clear that this wasn’t a mutual parting of ways, which is often the case for a coach with Harbaugh’s experience and resume. It’s also unlikely Baltimore made this move without at least some input from its highest-paid star who plays the most important position in the sport, particularly as contact extension talks linger. It is, after all, a quarterbacks league — something Harbaugh is acutely aware of and one of the reasons the New York Giants and Jaxson Dart make a lot of sense. What is obvious is that Bisciotti and to an extent general manager Eric DeCosta felt the need to make a change, and they likely made that decision with a potential replacement already in mind, particularly with a talent-rich roster and the 65-year-old owner’s desire to win now. So, who might replace Harbaugh? We put together a list of candidates on Tuesday. A day later, some of those names are percolating more than others, none more so than Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Minter to Baltimore feels like such an obvious choice that perhaps it will end up being as simple as the 42-year-old becoming just the fourth coach in the 30-year history of the franchise. There are plenty of plausible reasons why he could be a good fit, too. For one, there is familiarity. Minter, who is also the son of longtime college and NFL coach Rick Minter, was a defensive assistant in Baltimore from 2017 to 2018 before being promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2019 before moving up the ranks to defensive backs coach in 2020. He then left to become defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2021 and was Michigan’s defensive coordinator under Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim from 2022 through 2023. In February of last year, he was hired to run the Chargers defense. In his two years in Los Angeles — which might as well be referred to as Ravens West with all the former Baltimore players and employees, including their current general manager Joe Hortiz, who have gone there — he has quickly turned around a defense that was one of the worst before his arrival to a top-10 unit the past two seasons. That he has done so with less talent than what Baltimore has makes it that much more impressive. For a team flush with talent that was the favorite to win the Super Bowl going into this season, it would also make sense to not completely blow things up and instead have at least some continuity, particularly with Minter’s proclivity for turning defenses around. Just three seasons ago, Baltimore had the best defense in the NFL in terms of sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Minter could help restore that while also offering a fresh voice that could perhaps resonate with the team’s young players, and particularly the quarterback. But Baltimore, which figures to be the most attractive destination among the seven current openings, could choose to perhaps go a different direction, too. Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are among other notable assistants who have drawn interest around the league as well. Kubiak, as well as former Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver, are among those the team has requested to interview. Shula, 39, is of course the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, who coached the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969, including a championship in 1968. A product of the Sean McVay coaching tree, Chris Shula is viewed as a fast riser and has quickly turned the Rams’ defense into one of the most formidable in the NFL. Kliff Kingsbury, shown in early 2025, is a possible candidate to become the Ravens' new coach. He spent the past season leading the Washington Commanders' offense. (Gareth Patterson/AP) Kingsbury, 46, and Washington surprisingly parted ways after just two seasons, which included Jayden Daniels’ breakout rookie campaign and an appearance in the NFC championship game in 2024. He also has a lot of quarterback credentials, having worked with Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes in college along with Kyler Murray when he was the coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Flores, 44, of course was the coach of the Dolphins when Miami upset the Ravens in 2021 by blitzing Jackson into oblivion. His record in three seasons was one game below .500 and included zero postseason appearances, but Miami has had its share of organizational struggles, too. The Vikings’ defense has flourished since Flores was hired as their coordinator in 2023 and he is another coach with a strong voice. Kubiak, 38, meanwhile, represents more familiarity. He is the son of former Ravens offense coordinator Gary Kubiak, who helped pilot Baltimore to one of its and quarterback Joe Flacco’s best seasons in 2014. In his first year in Seattle under former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, quarterback Sam Darnold was selected to the Pro Bowl and the Seahawks finished 14-3 and as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Whatever direction the Ravens go, the new coach will have to be on the same page as Jackson. And as talented as Baltimore is, Harbaugh’s shoes won’t be easy to fill. The Ravens made the playoffs each of his first five seasons when Bisciotti hired him in 2008 and went on to win a Super Bowl along with reaching the AFC championship game four times. That’s in the past, though, and it likely won’t be too long until the Ravens find their next coach, whoever it might be. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.