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John Harbaugh fired

Ravens Fire John Harbaugh After 18 Seasons Following Week 18 Loss

The Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons following an 8–9 finish and a Week 18 loss to the Steelers. Baltimore begins a new coaching search.




harbaugh fired

The Baltimore Ravens, on Tuesday, fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons with the team.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti shared a statement about the decision. He called it "incredibly difficult." Bisciotti praised Harbaugh's long career and his Super Bowl win. He said Harbaugh is a man of integrity and a leader who helped the community. "We should all be forever grateful," Bisciotti added.

The Ravens ended their regular season with an 8-9 record. They lost their final game 26-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a field goal that could have won the game as time ran out. This loss cost them the AFC North title and a spot in the playoffs. It was their first missed playoffs since 2021.

Harbaugh's Journey with the Ravens

Baltimore hired Harbaugh in January 2008. Before that, he spent 10 years as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, mostly coaching special teams. He was the second-longest serving coach in the NFL entering this season.

Harbaugh started strong. In his first year, the Ravens went 11-5 and reached the AFC championship game. They made the playoffs in each of his first five seasons. The highlight was the Super Bowl win after the 2012 season. Harbaugh coached against his brother Jim, who led the San Francisco 49ers.

Ups and Downs Over the Years

Things got tough in the mid-2010s. From 2013 to 2017, the Ravens only made the playoffs once.

Everything changed when they drafted quarterback Lamar Jackson. He was picked last in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. From 2018 to last season, Baltimore made the playoffs six out of seven times. But they only reached the AFC championship once.

Harbaugh's playoff record faded in recent years. He started with a strong 10-5 mark. But in his last nine playoff games, he went just 3-6.

Since 2018, the Ravens have had three one-and-done playoff exits. This included after a great 14-2 regular season in 2019.

Critics pointed out problems finishing games against top teams. Over the last five years, Baltimore lost 12 games where they led by at least seven points in the fourth quarter. That's the most in the NFL, according to CBS Sports.

Recent heartbreaks included:

  • A 27-25 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last season.
  • A 41-40 loss to the Bills to start this season.
  • A 38-30 defeat to the Detroit Lions in Week 3.

In the final game against Pittsburgh, the Ravens led 10-0 early. They also led twice in the fourth quarter but still lost.

Talk grew about Harbaugh's bond with Lamar Jackson. In December, The Baltimore Sun said Harbaugh was tired of Jackson. Harbaugh denied it strongly. "Our relationship is A-plus," he said. "I love him. Always have, always will."

After the Steelers loss on Sunday, reporters asked Jackson if he wanted Harbaugh back. Jackson said no. "I'm so caught up in what just happened tonight," he replied. "I'm stunned right now."

Bisciotti said the team will start looking for a new coach right away. "We now begin the challenging, but exciting, process," he noted. The goal is a strong leader who meets high standards. He thanked fans and promised to keep working hard for success.

Interest from Other NFL Teams

John Harbaugh won't be out of work long. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported quick interest. In the first 45 minutes after the firing, Harbaugh's agent got calls from seven NFL teams.

There are now seven head coach openings, including Baltimore's. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons reached out. Even the Browns, who are early in their own search, contacted him fast.

A Legacy That Lasts

John Harbaugh leaves behind a Hall of Fame career, as Bisciotti said. His Super Bowl ring, playoff runs, and community work will be remembered. But the Ravens want fresh energy to chase more wins with Lamar Jackson and a talented roster.

Fans in Baltimore and across the NFL will watch closely. Who will be the next coach? And where will Harbaugh land next?

Coaching firings don’t just change headlines, they change schemes, tempo, player usage, and next-season markets overnight.

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