John Harbaugh with brother Jim Harbaugh. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh sends brother John encouraging message after Ravens firing

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 5:58 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believes his older brother won't remain away from an NFL sideline for long.

The Baltimore Ravens fired former HC John Harbaugh, 63, on Tuesday after going 8-9 and missing the playoffs in 2025. That was one of the few disappointing seasons for the coach in 18 seasons with Baltimore. During his tenure, he posted a 180-113 record and hoisted the franchise's second Lombardi Trophy. Note: He beat his brother, then the HC of the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.

John Harbaugh's stellar résumé makes him the ultimate coaching free agent in this offseason's hiring cycle. Jim Harbaugh, 62, reminded him of that before L.A.'s road wild-card game against the New England Patriots on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).

Jim Harbaugh sends positive message to John Harbaugh

"John Harbaugh is the best coach I know, the best coach I've ever seen," Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday, via The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "...Whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable, and I just hope it's in the NFC."

Jim Harbaugh on John Harbaugh being let go by the Ravens: "John Harbaugh is the best coach I know, the best coach I’ve ever seen. ...Whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable, and I just hope it’s in the NFC."

Harbaugh added: "He’ll be a head coach next year."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 7, 2026

That may be the case. The New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons are expected to pursue him. However, he may stay in the AFC. The Miami Dolphins have reportedly contacted him, signaling they haven't ruled out firing HC Mike McDaniel.

That doesn't guarantee a team will hire John Harbaugh, but Jim Harbaugh remains certain someone will.

"He'll be an HC next year," he said when asked if he would consider adding his brother to his staff, per NFL Media's Omar Ruiz.

Jim Harbaugh: “he’ll be a head coach next year.” When asked if he’s interested in bringing his brother John to join his staff.
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) January 7, 2026

John Harbaugh won just three playoff games and made no Super Bowls in eight seasons with two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson as his quarterback. But teams clearly aren't holding the lack of recent playoff success against him, further validating his brother's confidence that he won't be unemployed much longer. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, seven teams contacted his agent, Bryan Harlan, 45 minutes after his firing.

John and Jim Harbaugh have coached against each other three times in their NFL head-coaching careers. A fourth Harbaugh Bowl could be coming soon, with multiple teams already courting the former Ravens HC.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: