Steelers may seriously benefit from tensions running high in Baltimore: 'I think Lamar is checked out'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extremely up-and-down season, but the team still finds itself leading the AFC North and in complete control of its own destiny. A big reason for that is the struggles that the Baltimore Ravens have gone through in 2025. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson missed some time in the middle of the season, and the group got out to a 1-5 start. Everyone expected the Ravens to fight back into the mix once the team returned to full health, and that is exactly what has happened. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are neck and neck in the AFC North, but the Steelers have a leg up after taking down the Ravens in Week 14.

Calling Baltimore's 2025 season weird would be an understatement. The team has had an influx of injuries that include one of the team's best defensive players never playing a down, and their fan base has gained no clarity whatsoever on what happened. Jackson's injury was also a big deal, and it seemed like he and the coaching staff were a bit off about when he was going to be returning, as he and Head Coach John Harbaugh contradicted one another quite a bit. 

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are already having their fair share of issues, and now Jackson and Baltimore may not be on good terms. Pundit Nick Wright joined Bill Simmons on "The Bill Simmons Podcast," where he shared just how bizarre he believes things are in Baltimore.

"Can somebody please report on whether or not Lamar and John Harbaugh even talk to each other?" Wright asked. "This is the weirdest f---ing story in the league. So, every time Lamar has suffered an injury in his career, Harbaugh has had one timeline about when Lamar is going to return to play. Lamar has had a totally different one. This year he [Harbaugh] was asked about why he had optimism after the bye, he said, 'Well we're going to have our quarterback back.' The game comes after the bye, the quarterback is not back."

Wright had an entire list of examples where it seemed that Jackson and his head coach have just not been on the same page whatsoever. Jackson injured his hamstring during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back in Week 4, and he missed the next two games. The Ravens then had their bye week, and Harbaugh said Jackson would be back the next week. He was not.

Wright also brought up other instances where Jackson has missed significant time due to injuries. This included season-ending injuries back in 2021 and 2022 where he even missed a playoff game at the end of the 2022 season. Wright spoke more about the constant miscommunication between Harbaugh and Jackson, and where Jackson is at currently.

"He [Jackson] then finally does come back," Wright said. "He has different, random injuries that cause him to miss a day of practice. By the way, plays the worst football of his career while missing a day of practice each week. The worst football of his career. To finish it, this week, Lamar doesn't practice Wednesday. It's listed as no injury. Lamar I think is over it all. Lamar I think is checked out."

If Jackson is, in fact, checked out, that would be huge for Pittsburgh fans due to how close the two teams are in the AFC North. Jackson has missed a day of practice each week since he has been back from injury, and his play has declined as well. It seems like the player and the coach might be in a rocky spot with their relationship, which would explain part of this tumultuous season in Baltimore.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin may have a new coaching counterpart in 2026 season

Pittsburgh just beat Baltimore in Week 14, and the two teams are set to clash in Week 18 as well. Pittsburgh could have the division wrapped up by then, or that regular-season finale could be a playoff game for the division. If Baltimore does not find its way into the postseason, Harbaugh should be considered to be on the hot seat. This is especially true if he is not on the same page as his star quarterback. 

The organization is way more likely to part ways with a coach than a franchise quarterback, and that might be what happens during the 2026 offseason for the Ravens.