End of an Era: Ravens Fire John Harbaugh After 18 Seasons
- BALTIMORE — The longest-running partnership in the AFC is over. The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh on Tuesday night, ending a storied 18-year tenure that redefined the franchise. Owner Steve Bisciotti pulled the trigger just 48 hours after a missed 44-yard field goal in the regular-season finale sent the Ravens home early and the coaching staff to the unemployment line.
Hard Knocks In Season with the NFC East starts NOW on @HBOMax đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/wu85e23tHt
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2026
Seven Jobs Open as Coaching Carousel Spins
Harbaugh’s exit is the crown jewel of a chaotic 2026 coaching cycle. The league now has seven vacancies, with Baltimore joining the Browns, Raiders, Falcons, Cardinals, Giants, and Titans in the hunt for fresh leadership. While Harbaugh leaves with a 180-113 regular-season record and 12 playoff appearances, the “What have you done for me lately?” culture finally caught up to him after three straight years of early exits or missed postseasons.
The coaching casualty list currently includes:
- John Harbaugh (Ravens): Out after 18 seasons and one Super Bowl ring.
- Kevin Stefanski (Browns): Dismissed after a 5-12 season despite two prior Coach of the Year awards.
- Pete Carroll (Raiders): The Las Vegas experiment lasted just one year and 3 wins.
- Raheem Morris (Falcons): Fired after failing to clinch a weak NFC South at 8-9.
- Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals): Ousted after a dismal 15-36 three-year run.
The Final Straw in Pittsburgh
The Ravens entered Sunday night needing a win over the Steelers to lock up the AFC North. Instead, the offense sputtered in the red zone, and the defense allowed a late touchdown drive. When the kick sailed wide on the final play, the locker room went silent. The stadium lights dimmed on the 2025 season and, effectively, on the Harbaugh era.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together and the profound respect I have for John,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a team statement. “He is a Hall of Fame coach, but we believe a new voice is required to lead this roster back to the Super Bowl.”
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
While Baltimore searches for a replacement—with names like Robert Saleh and Vance Joseph already circling—the rest of the league prepares for Wild Card Weekend. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks sit out with byes, while the Buffalo Bills host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the marquee AFC matchup. For Harbaugh, the wait won’t be long; sources indicate the Raiders and Giants have already reached out to his representatives to gauge interest in a quick return to the sidelines.
