Many Fans Call For Harbaugh’s Head

A year ago, the Ravens found themselves in a similar situation after 3 games. Their record was a disappointing (1-2) and they were scheduled to take on one of the league’s best teams. Last season it was the Bills and this season, it’s the Chiefs. The similarities don’t end there.

Right about this time last season, fans were calling for a change and talking heads suggested that if things continued the same way for the balance of the season, a shift in power could be in order and in the crosshairs of that shift sat head coach, John Harbaugh.

There’s no denying Harbaugh’s success. He’s developed a winning culture, one that inspires players to stay and free agents to strongly consider being part of. But lately, it has begun to feel like Harbaugh has taken Lamar Jackson and the Ravens just about as far as they can go. He can help get them to the show, but once there they can’t close the deal and secure the franchise’s 3rd Super Bowl title.

And then of course there are those embarrassing lost double digit second-half leads authored by Harbaugh teams – 17 of them to be exact, the most in the NFL since 1991. That’s a sizable sample size that suggests the Ravens take their foot off the gas on both offense and defense instead of going for the jugular and putting teams away.

I’m asked often if the Ravens, more specifically Steve Bisciotti, will eventually fire John. And then there’s the silly notion that Bisciotti doesn’t care because he hasn’t fired him yet. The silliness then expands to thoughts such as Bisciotti only cares about money, not the team, nor winning.

Let me try and put that ridiculousness to rest.

Bisciotti’s initial investment of $600M in the Ravens has certainly appreciated in value, a team that is now worth $6.1B. Maintaining a competitive team and good relations with the State of Maryland and the Stadium Authority helps to preserve and even grow that value. But the Ravens on an annual basis don’t put real additional income in Bisciotti’s pocket. That comes from the investments he’s made outside of the Ravens. So, to say that the Ravens owner doesn’t care if the team wins or not as long as he makes his money, is just ignorant. Nor is the argument relevant.

Ask employees of Aerotek how competitive Bisciotti is. Query those who play golf with him or those who sit in the owner’s box at The Bank on Sundays. The man is uber-competitive. Not firing John Harbaugh when the Ravens lynch mob calls for his head doesn’t mean that Bisciotti doesn’t want to win. It just means he’s pragmatic.

But back to the question, will Steve eventually fire John?

Perhaps history provides and answer…

Back in 2007, Brian Billick was one year into a new 5-year deal that he signed following the 2006 season. But 2007 was a disaster. The Ravens finished (5-11) and the locker room was in shambles. After consulting with team leader Ray Lewis who confirmed Bisciotti’s suspicions of a divided team, Billick was dismissed.

If the Ravens fail to make the playoffs in 2025, fail to play to the level of their talent and there’s dissension among the rank and file in the locker room, Bisciotti could make a move on Harbaugh. But more than likely, if the team does fail it will stem from defensive failure. Then the finger of blame will point back to an under-qualified Zach Orr – a convenient fall guy for Harbaugh.

However, if the Ravens’ season is an abject failure like the 2007 season, the former C-student from Salisbury State might reach his breaking point and clean out the Harbaugh staff. But it’s doubtful that anything will happen until the season is said and done.

For all our sakes, let’s hope this Harbaugh narrative changes by Sunday at 7:30 PM in Kansas City.

If not, well, you already know what comes next…

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/09/26/lombardis-way/harbaugh-status/