In an appearance today on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter pushed back on one of the narratives that gained traction in the wake of John Harbaugh‘s dismissal in Baltimore. As McAfee suggested the insiders had seen this coming, Schefter voiced his dissent to the notion Harbaugh had lost the locker room.
“I don’t think that information right there could be any…less true,” Schefter exclaimed. “The players were coming to his office, crying, hugging him, sending him ‘goodbyes,’ calling him one by one. If they felt that way, why are Mark Andrews and 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.”
[RELATED: Assessing Lamar Jackson’s Role In Ravens’ Coaching Decision]
As the interview continued, McAfee appealed to one of his frequent guests, former NFL center A.Q. Shipley to back up what Schefter was claiming. Shipley, who played for Harbaugh and the Ravens back in 2013, the second season of his eight-year career, called Harbaugh his favorite coach, after which Schefter chimed in to say that “that would be consistent with the type of things” that he had heard from other players. Shipley pointed to instances in which Harbaugh had his players’ backs and spoke to the respect that those moments garnered within Shipley and his teammates.
As McAfee went on to question why the departure would occur, if that were the case, Schefter mused on the concept that, sometimes, it’s just time for a change. He pointed to the Broncos as a two-time example of this fact, first utilizing the example of Dan Reeves. Reeves coached Denver for the first 12 years of his coaching career, amassed a 110-73-1 record, made the playoffs six times, won the division five times, advanced to the AFC Championship four times, and advanced to three Super Bowls but lost all three. Then-owner Pat Bowlen opted to part ways with Reeves and promoted Wade Phillips. Though, two years later Bowlen circled back to Mike Shanahan, who would win back-to-back Super Bowls shortly after, the first championships in franchise history.
Later on, in Denver, John Fox stepped in as head coach, and in a short, four-year stint went 46-18, winning the AFC West every season but losing his only Super Bowl appearance in 2013. Once again, the Broncos decided to move on from success, and Gary Kubiak won them their third Super Bowl the next year. Harbaugh had so much success up front, winning nine playoff games in his first five years, but as the franchise concluded his 18th season seeing only four more playoff wins in the 13 years since their Super Bowl victory, it’s clear there was a similar feeling with owner Steve Bisciotti.
It’s not all gloom for Harbaugh, though, as Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports reports that nine suitors have already emerged for Harbaugh; there are only seven open jobs in the NFL right now, including Baltimore. That means three teams with head coaches in place already have kicked the tires to inquire about his possible interest. The Dolphins are one such team, per Vacchiano, though Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald pushes back on that notion, “citing people on both sides.” And, though the other teams remain unnamed, Vacchiano also mentions “a big push” that could come from a team “playing this weekend in the wild-card playoff round.”
Harbaugh has most notably been made the No. 1 target for the Giants. They’ve made it no small secret that they are interested in hiring him, and according to Vacchiano, “they are high on Harbaugh’s list,” too. A source from the team claimed, “They have no reason to believe that Harbaugh is not seeking excessive power in the organization or that he feels he wouldn’t be able to work with (general manager Joe Schoen).” And, though Harbaugh has yet to set a meeting with the team, NFL insider Gary Myers backs Vacchiano’s report up, saying himself that Harbaugh “has genuine interest” in the job in New York. In fact, Harbaugh hasn’t made meetings yet with any teams, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the 63-year-old free agent is not expected to take part in any interviews until next week.
In Baltimore, though, the Ravens have hit the ground running in search of only the fourth head coach in franchise history. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are both names that have come to the forefront early, but according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is a name to watch out for as the hiring process picks up. Kubiak is the only one of the three not to have already worked in Baltimore or coached on the defensive side of the ball. Weaver was assistant head coach/defensive line coach for the Ravens not long ago, while Minter worked with the team’s defensive backs from 2017-20.
What’s interesting is that all three candidates have zero head coaching experience. That’s obviously not something that scares off the Ravens, though, considering Harbaugh’s 18 years for the team were his first in a head coaching role. What’s more important, it seems, is the potential that Weaver or Minter could be able to reestablish the defensive identity that made Baltimore such a feared opponent in Harbaugh’s early years, or the idea that an offensive-minded candidate like Kubiak may be just what Lamar Jackson needs to deliver the franchise’s third Super Bowl, one that Jackson promised the day they took him as the last pick in the first round.
Course he didn’t lose the locker room that’s hog wash
Ravens were 1-5 in one score games
Lamar only played 13 of 17 games
And whoever authorized that god awful Rashod Bateman extension should be gone as well
Ravens need to hire Robert Saleh asap. That defense needs a fixing
On offense you don’t need much
You have Zay Flowers
Sign Keenan Allen to be a reliable veteran presence for Lamar esp on 3rd downs
Sign a more prominent WR like Alec Pierce / Jaquan Jennings or take a flier on Deebo Samuel who I think would excel in Lamar’s scramble and create openings offense.
Maybe call the raiders about Mayer the TE cause Kolar and Likely are free agents or maybe draft some TEs in the mid rounds
Maybe Eli Stowers out or Vandy and Joe Royer out of Cincy.
My only comment regarding your post is that while I’m not a Jets fan, Salah was lost as a HC….he is a really good DC so if you mean that the Ravens may try and lure him away from SF….I agree…of course I think that stands about as much chance as moving the Empire State Building to Jersey but you can dream…..
Ignore clown show punter.
Loud, arrogant, and dumbed down comedy. It’s what Americans live for.
some americans, speak for yourself
has made Gameday unwatchable
Was laughable how noticeably hungover Pat was on Jan 1 for game day
Why SECPN gives McAfee the platform and that much air time is beyond me!?? Then again, shouldn’t be surprised since they now dedicate time & broadcast “wrestling” as a sport!!
It’s very simple, he had loyalists, and players that were sick of him.
I remember years ago Earl Weaver explained that the dynamics of all rosters are mostly the same. One third love you, one third hate you and the other third are indifferent. He said the key to keeping your job is to not let the haters influence the group that is indifferent.
Buffalo feels like the best bet, assuming they lose to the Jag’s as many expect, which would be a good fit for both parties imho.
Buffalo, or GB … and Miami has the weather.
I stupidly thought Mike “Cocaine is Hell of a Drug” McDaniel was safe so I’m with you on that being a good possibility now that he’s been canned.
Tom Brady is enamored with Lamar.
How this for a trade.
Lamar, 4th round pick and Mark Andrews to the Raiders for 1st round pick, Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers. Who says no.
The Raiders take out a restraining order against whoever made the call.
The Raiders
A Lamar Jackson for Maxx Crosby trade scenario is interesting if Lamar is disgruntled over Harbaugh being fired and if Harbaugh winds up in Vegas
Lamar only has 2 left on his contract while Crosby has 4
And if Raiders are acquiring Lamar they wouldn’t ship out Bowers their only receiving target unless the Ravens sent back Zay Flowers or something
I do think the Raiders could dangle the 1st overall pick and Geno Smiths contract for Lamar if ravens are looking to rebuild but ultimately I think they look for quick fixes on defense and retool the defense for next year hoping the unit improves
Lamar doesn’t give af about Harbaugh.
He lost the locker room. He lost control of his team. Lamar controls that team. Lamar took out video games and such from the clubhouse. Lamar did that, not the HC. Lamar gave the Ravens an ultimatum to sign his new contract. Get me OBJ or DeAndre Hopkins. Look what they did. They signed OBJ to a ridiculous contract. Lamar loses a game by throwing a ridiculous pass that got picked off to end the game. His explanation for why he threw that stupid pass was, “I wanted to feed my boy [OBJ].” He had a chance to WIN the game, but he cared more about feeding his boy. He faced no repercussions for this. He faces no repercussions for not practicing, for falling asleep in team meetings. He is the head of the franchise. So if he can act this way, why can’t everyone else? You can’t punish anyone else for doing the same thing that Lamar gets away with.
Lamar continually shows up players when he thinks they screwed up. He throws hissy fits on the field and sidelines. Nobody dares to call him out for when he single-handedly loses big games by fumbling the ball away or throwing horrible interceptions.
I don’t care how many players call him and give him a hug. The NFL is a hugging league. These guys hug their opponents all the time. It is meaningless. There is a difference between liking a guy, and then listening to their stale message. They love him because he’s a players’ coach who takes it easy on them.
When the inmates run the asylum, and then the manager of that facility gets told what to do to fix it by the owner of it and he says, “Nah,” then you get fired. That simple.
Ed,
Exactly right. I’m all Ravens all the time and have seen it. Lamar has been coddled because he’s immature and can’t take criticism. Reports in the press are he shuts down. He wants to win more than anybody, but has screwed up to with fumbles and picks. Ravens have continued to build his ego, with some fans now calling the team the Baltimore Lamars.
They also continue to build around him. They get him arguably one of the top runningbacks in the game to give him a running game to build on. First and Second Round picks comprise 3/5 of his OL, and they draft an OL seemingly every year. I have a feeling if there is one available, they’ll draft a 1st round LT to replace Stanley. They’ll be looking for new pieces to play at LG/RG. They toss first round pick WRs at him, and then get him his other boy DeAndre Hopkins. They’ve given, given, given, and there is no improvement.
I hope Lamar follows Harbaugh out the door, but the Ravens aren’t going to get the haul they think they will because of his current albatross contract. Whoever trades for him is going to have to immediately renegotiate that contract.
People can’t seperate personal from business. Whatever the reason, the team wasn’t responding to him the same, and imo it all traces to not firing that DC. They look confused on defense 80% of the time. I’m sure they love him. He seems to be a great man, but he wasn’t getting the most out of the team the last couple of years, and I think Bisciotti looked at what he let walk out the door in McDonald and wondered why didn’t he make that move. Bucs probably have a similar feeling right now, but they just re-signed Bowles six months ago. Harbaugh was going to be a lame duck next year, so the only thing to do was to extend him or let him go.