John Harbaugh sacked by Baltimore Ravens after 18 years
Legendary NFL head coach John Harbaugh has been sacked by the Baltimore Ravens after 18 years following the team’s failure to secure the playoffs this season, reports BritPanorama.
The decision, confirmed on Tuesday after several days of deliberation, came in the wake of a devastating 26-24 defeat to divisional rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week of the regular season. A missed last-gasp field goal by Tyler Loop allowed the Steelers to claim victory and snatch the final playoff spot from Baltimore’s grasp.
General Manager Eric DeCosta informed the squad of the departure, bringing to a close one of the most successful coaching tenures in franchise history. Harbaugh, turning 64 this year, compiled an impressive 180-113 record during his time in Baltimore, establishing himself as the second longest-serving head coach in the NFL.
His crowning achievement came in the 2013 Super Bowl, when he guided the Ravens to championship glory. Throughout his tenure, Harbaugh steered Baltimore to the postseason on 12 occasions, amassing a 13-11 record in playoff competition. Despite boasting two-time Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson at quarterback since 2018, the Ravens reached the AFC Championship game on only one occasion since their Super Bowl triumph 13 years ago.
This season’s collapse proved terminal for Harbaugh’s position, with Baltimore unable to overcome their divisional rivals when it mattered most. The AFC North title decider against Pittsburgh represented a winner-takes-all scenario, and the Ravens’ inability to convert in the closing moments sealed their fate.
Harbaugh acknowledged his departure in a statement, saying: “Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day has come today. It comes with disappointment certainly, but more with gratitude and appreciation.” He becomes the fourth head coach to lose his position since the regular season concluded on Sunday, following a wave of dismissals on what has become known as ‘Black Monday’.
The NFL postseason gets underway this Saturday with Wild Card weekend, featuring six matches across three days as 14 teams begin their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. Along with the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs will not be among the contenders for the first time in over a decade. The door now stands open for a fresh champion to emerge in 2026.
As Harbaugh departs, the Ravens’ future will be scrutinized, underscoring the fine line coaches walk between triumph and dismissal in the high-stakes world of the NFL.
