For 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh had known the team to be the only important thing. However, little did he know that after a rough 8-9 season, he would lose trust from the same team. As a result, he got fired for the first time in his head coaching career. While rumors suggested star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s involvement, his latest Instagram appreciation might hint at his true feelings.

The Ravens shared an emotional reel on their official Instagram page, thanking their third head coach in history with the caption “Thank you Harbs.” The video montage highlighted his run in Baltimore and the impact he had on the organization. However, what attracted the attention of many was Jackson’s comment, “🙏🏿💯”

The Ravens QB has spent his entire NFL career under John Harbaugh, starting 107 of 116 regular-season games for the Ravens from 2018 through 2025 and posting a 76–31 record. Over that span, Jackson threw for 22,608 yards, 187 touchdowns, and just 56 interceptions. He also added 6,522 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.

Lamar also won two NFL MVP awards under Harbaugh, in 2019 and 2023, among multiple Pro Bowl and OPoY nods. This season, however, the injury-plagued quarterback had one of his lowest performances. Yet, the respect is present where it should be.

In all, Harbaugh went 180-113 with 12 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title during his 18 seasons and became the winningest coach of the franchise. But reports suggest that team owner Steve Bisciotti was frustrated with the lack of playoff success in recent years.

“Throughout what I firmly believe is a Hall of Fame coaching career, John has delivered a Super Bowl championship to Baltimore and served as a steadfast pillar of humility and leadership,” Bisciotti said in his statement. “He and his family have deeply embedded themselves in this community. For these profound contributions, on and off the field, we should all be forever grateful.”

There’s no denying that the connection between the two helped rejuvenate Harbaugh’s coaching career and turned Jackson into a superstar in Baltimore. In fact, Bisciotti almost fired Harbaugh after the 2017 season, but with them putting their trust in Jackson, one of the most lethal coach-QB duos was created. But everything runs its course.

Strain with Lamar Jackson might have cut Harbaugh out

After a season-ending loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson was asked if he would like to see Harbaugh return as the head coach. However, he passed the question like it was a hot potato. All he commented then was about being stunned by how the final field goal miss by Tyler Loop lost them yet another playoff appearance.

There is a conjecture that the Lamar-Harbaugh relationship got strained. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network shared his views on this situation, which paved the way for speculation.

“It started, it sounded like to me, with Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson not being on the same page,” Rapoport said on NFL Network this Tuesday. “It continued throughout the locker room—maybe not 100%, but more than enough for the Baltimore Ravens.”

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But on the other side of the same coin, some names are outrightly rejecting this theory. On the Pat McAfee show, insider Adam Schefter disagreed with Rapoport and shared:

“I don’t think that information right there could be any less true. The players were coming to his office, crying, hugging him, sending him goodbyes, calling him one by one,” Schefter said. “If they felt that way why are Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely and all these players coming in, crying, hugging him, giving him these long, warm goodbyes. I’m not buying it.”

Publicly, both Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh have repeatedly framed their relationship as strong. In December 2025, Harbaugh even called his relationship with QB “A plus,” and rejected anonymous claims that he had grown tired of the QB.

John Harbaugh’s firing may have been a difficult decision for the team, given their 18-year partnership. But as things go, the front office is already moving on as they prepare for the 2026 season with the search for a new HC in full progress.

Ravens search for a new HC to be centered around Lamar

The Ravens moved on from John Harbaugh after one of their most disappointing seasons in years. Baltimore finished 8–9 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and suffering its first losing record in that span after a Week 18 loss to the Steelers ended their division and postseason hopes.

Owner Steve Bisciotti called Harbaugh’s firing a difficult decision, which took place after a comprehensive evaluation of the season and the overall direction of the organization. He decided to make a change at head coach to maintain the Ravens’ championship standards.

For now, reports outline five top head-coaching candidates Baltimore should consider to maximize Lamar Jackson’s championship window, emphasizing the need for a seasoned leader who can fully leverage his prime years.

Some names include Brian Flores for his innovative Minnesota Vikings defenses, Kevin Stefanski for his offensive acumen and AFC North familiarity, Klint Kubiak for engineering an explosive Seattle Seahawks attack, Jesse Minter for his Ravens ties, and Robert Saleh for leading a resilient 49ers defense and bringing strong leadership traits.

How the next head coach rebuilds around Jackson will decide whether this disappointment becomes a turning point or the start of a longer slide.