Their 40th meeting in 18 seasons ended up being the last. For now.
Regardless of where former Ravens coach John Harbaugh goes next, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin appreciates the significance of their relationship as adversaries.
“I just have so much respect for Harbs,” Tomlin told Rich Eisen on Wednesday. “Our stories will forever be interwoven. This rivalry that we’ve been fortunate and honored enough to be a part of, I’ve just got so much respect for him and how he’s gone about his business. And we’ve certainly had some legendary battles over the years.
“In terms of him being let go, unfortunately, I just think it’s a component of today’s sport culture. And so, you know, there’ve been many examples of that, and so it’s unfortunate. But I’m sure that he is going to move on and if he chooses to coach again, I’m sure he will, and I’m sure he’ll be very successful at doing so. But more than anything, I just think it’s a larger example of today’s sport culture in terms of not a lot of patience and the entertainment component of what it is that we do. There’s just not a lot of longevity. You know, I’m sure we all would like to be Don Shula and Tom Landry, but I think those days are gone.”
Although turnover has always been part of the coaching industry, the modern NFL sees roughly 25 percent of the head-coaching jobs become vacant every year. This time around, it’s seven — with possibly more to come.
One of those could be Tomlin. Not because he’ll be fired, but if he chooses to leave. There are indications he has a TV offer tucked in his back pocket, and that he’ll have to decide after the Steelers’ postseason run ends what he’ll do next.
If that happens, Harbaugh will surely hope to see Tomlin return. With Tomlin leading 23-17, Harbaugh will want to have more chances to close the gap.
Brothers Jim and John Harbaugh are famously close, with their relationship put on display when their teams have competed against one another — most notably in Super Bowl XLVII.
So it’s no surprise that in his Wednesday press conference, as the Chargers get ready to play the Patriots, Jim Harbaugh was asked about his brother getting fired from the Ravens this week.
“John Harbaugh is the best coach I know, the best coach I’ve ever seen,” Jim Harbaugh said, via Daniel Popper of TheAthletic.com. “Whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable, and I just hope it’s in the NFC.”
Jim Harbaugh also isn’t holding out hope he’ll be able to add his brother to the Chargers’ staff in 2026.
“He’ll be a head coach next year,” Jim Harbaugh said, via Omar Ruiz of NFL Media.
It stands to reason, however, that Jim Harbaugh could get a little advice from his brother on Los Angeles’ wild card weekend opponent. While the Chargers didn’t take on the Patriots during the regular season this year, the Ravens lost to the Patriots in Week 16.
We now know two candidates to replace John Harbaugh as head coach of the Ravens.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Baltimore has put in requests to interview Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Weaver, 45, has plenty of experience in Baltimore’s organization. He was a Ravens second-round pick in 2022 and played four seasons for the franchise before finishing his career with the Texans.
While Weaver has coached at various stops around the league since 2012, he was the Ravens defensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2021 before being promoted to assistant head coach in 2022, serving in that role for two seasons.
He’s been with the Dolphins since 2024.
Kubiak has now been requested by five teams in this coaching cycle as he gears up to finish his first season as Seahawks offensive coordinator. Seattle finished the year No. 3 in points scored and No. 8 in total yards.
On Tuesday evening, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that seven teams had reached out to John Harbaugh’s agent to gauge his interest in becoming their head coach after he’d been fired by the Ravens.
With only seven vacancies — including the Ravens — at least one team that currently has a head coach was among that group.
While some assumed that team was Miami, one veteran reporter says that is not the case.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, as of late Wednesday morning, the Dolphins had not reached out to or engaged with Harbaugh in any way.
Jackson notes that could change, as Harbaugh going through the interview process with other teams will take some time.
For now, Mike McDaniel remains Miami’s head coach. Last year at this time, however, team owner Stephen Ross released a statement noting that McDaniel and now-former General Manager Chris Grier would continue in their roles. No such statement has been released in regards to McDaniel this offseason.
Miami finished 2025 7-10. McDaniel has now accumulated a 35-33 record as Dolphins head coach in four seasons with two postseason appearances.
As the Ravens embark on their first coaching search in 18 years, the primary challenge will be to find someone who can get more out of a generational talent who has a finite number of prime years remaining.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who turns 29 today, will loom over the process. To the extent there was friction between Jackson and former coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens need a coach who will blend harmony with accountability.
It’s easy to see how Harbaugh could have become frustrated with Jackson. From reported concerns about diet and conditioning to a habit of skipping the offseason program (Jackson gave up $1.5 million between 2024 and 2025 by staying away from most of the “voluntary” work) to a possible perception that he has been reluctant to play when injured (frankly, no player with unsettled contract situations should put themselves at risk), there were various reasons for a disconnect.
Regardless of whether it got to the point where owner Steve Bisciotti felt compelled to choose between Jackson and Harbaugh, Harbaugh is gone and Jackson remains.
Jackson is under contract for two more years. There have been indications that he believes it’s time for an adjustment to the five-year, $52.5 million deal he signed in 2023. (The market has increased since then, as it always does, and he has won one MVP award and finished second in the voting for another.)
Unless they find a trade partner (which seems unlikely), they need to make it work with Jackson. Which means they need a coach who’ll make it work with Jackson.
Will that mean involving Jackson directly in the search? If nothing else, there’s value in observing how Jackson and the candidates interact.
Obviously, Jackson would first have to want to be involved. And if he does want to be involved and the team declines, that would create another set of issues.
The quarterback can’t have too much power. He also can’t be treated like any other player. Jackson’s contract and his skillset give him a level of influence that can’t be ignored. If Jackson is all in with the new coach, other players will follow his lead. If he isn’t, other players will sense it.
Regardless of how it plays out, the next coach of the team will need to connect with Jackson. The next coach will need to be able to win Jackson’s respect, and to inspire him to fully commit to the process of preparing himself for the next season. Starting with full participation in the offseason program, and collection of his $750,000 workout bonus for 2026.
