Baltimore Ravens Fire John Harbaugh After Season-Ending Loss

The Baltimore Ravens dismissed John Harbaugh on Jan. 7, 2026, ending an 18-year run that included a Super Bowl title and 12 postseason appearances. The decision followed the team's season-ending 26-24 loss at Pittsburgh, which clinched the AFC North for the Steelers and denied the Ravens a playoff berth.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti framed the move in a statement, saying he decided to "make a change at head coach" despite "the tremendous 18 years we have spent together." Bisciotti added, "Our goal has always been and will always be to win Championships. We strive to consistently perform at the highest level on the field and be a team and organization our fans take pride in. We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount."

Harbaugh, 63, leaves as one of the National Football League's longest-tenured coaches, second only to Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. He compiled a 180-113 regular-season record and a 13-11 mark in the playoffs, including an NFL record eight road playoff wins. Under his leadership, Baltimore posted fewer than eight wins in a season only once, reflecting long-term competitiveness even as the franchise has not returned to the Super Bowl since the 2013 game.

This season's 8-9 finish came despite robust rushing production and high-profile roster moves, including the addition of running back Derrick Henry. The Ravens' year ended with a late missed field goal in Pittsburgh, a moment that intensified scrutiny of late-game management and strategic decisions in the final moments of that loss. That scrutiny played into ownership's calculus as it moved to change leadership.

For Baltimore residents, the firing closes a chapter in the city's civic and commercial life. The Ravens are a major cultural and economic institution in the city, drawing fans, generating local business on game days, and shaping community identity. A coaching search will be closely watched by season ticket holders, local businesses that depend on game traffic, and city officials who consider the team's national profile when promoting Baltimore.

Organizationally, the decision signals a renewed emphasis on immediate championship expectations and may prompt evaluations of front office strategy, coaching staff continuity, and in-game decision-making protocols. Harbaugh's availability also puts a veteran, Super Bowl-winning coach on the market, a development that will reverberate across the league and could influence Baltimore's approach to hiring.

As the franchise begins a search for a successor, residents and fans will be attentive to how the Ravens balance short-term results with long-term stability, and to whether the next leader can meet the high standards Bisciotti articulated.