Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

John Harbaugh may not return as Ravens head coach

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 8:09 AM ET

John Harbaugh is not guaranteed to be back as Baltimore Ravens head coach in 2026.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Harbaugh will sit down with the Ravens to sort out his future once the season ends. While Schefter believes it is more likely than not that Harbaugh will return, he did add that there is a real chance the two sides might decide to part ways.

“That seems to be a situation, right now, that’s up in the air, where both sides will meet and discuss after the season what they want to do and what direction they want to go,” Schefter said.

“I think there should be more conversation about Harbaugh and less about (Mike) Tomlin, but we’re still leaning safe right now on John Harbaugh until those conversations occur.”

Latest intel on the coaches who stay and the coaches who go: pic.twitter.com/uG2evNVsBW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2026

Would Ravens and John Harbaugh consider parting ways?

Schefter emphasized that any departure would be mutual and that there are no indications that Harbaugh will actually get fired.

The report reflects how stagnant things have become in Baltimore, particularly this season. The Ravens lost their Week 18 game to the Steelers and were eliminated from the playoffs in the process. They had much higher expectations than competing for a mediocre division on the last weekend of the season. One has to wonder if there might be more eagerness to make a change because the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Harbaugh has faced questions recently about his relationship with quarterback Lamar Jackson, which only adds to the perception that things are unsettled in Baltimore right now.

Among NFL head coaches, only Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin has been with his current team longer than Harbaugh. He is 181-112 overall and a Super Bowl champion, but the team has failed to break through in the playoffs in recent seasons despite a run of excellent regular seasons. On the other hand, the Ravens just handed Harbaugh a contract extension before the season, so staff changes may be the most likely outcome while Harbaugh remains in place.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: