The Ravens’ head coach and quarterback were not on the same page.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after a win.

The Baltimore Ravens sent shockwaves through the NFL on Tuesday when they parted ways with John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. His 193 wins are the 12th-most by a head coach in NFL history, and the list includes a Super Bowl XLVII title in February 2013.

Harbaugh’s final game in charge was a 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 that eliminated the Ravens from the playoffs. Harbaugh’s lack of recent postseason success, despite having two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson at quarterback, was one factor in the decision from Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti to let go of the 64-year-old head coach.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, seven different NFL teams reached out to Harbaugh’s representatives within 45 minutes expressing immediate interest in hiring the newly-available head coach.

Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport got down to figuring out what exactly led to Harbaugh’s firing. On NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” he reported that fading trust between Harbaugh and Ravens players was a significant factor. According to Rapoport’s sources, it “started with,” but was not limited to, Harbaugh not being on the same page as Jackson.

“At the end, players just simply had doubts about whether or not they wanted to play for him as their head coach,” Rapoport said. “The opinions of players was valued here. It was listened to. It went to all levels. And it’s not just Lamar Jackson.”

“Now, it started, it sounded like to me, with Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson not being on the same page,” the NFL insider continued. “It continued throughout the locker room. Maybe not 100 percent, but more than enough for the Baltimore Ravens to say that among the reasons to move on, this was a big one.”

Harbaugh dismissed reports of any issues between himself and Jackson in December, describing their relationship as “A-plus.”

Jackson finished the 2025 season with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He only played in 13 games, and the Ravens had a 6-7 record in those contests.

After the loss to the Steelers, Jackson refused to answer a question from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley about whether or not he wanted Harbaugh to be the coach in 2026.

“Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day has come today,” Harbaugh said in an official statement on Tuesday. “It comes with disappointment certainly, but more with GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION… Meaningful & Impactful Relationships with Players through the years that I will cherish always. Grateful for their Strength and Courage.”