John Harbaugh is not guaranteed to be back as Baltimore Ravens 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
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 enter Week 18 at 8-8, and while they can still win the AFC North, 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 if the Ravens lose 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 180-112 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.
