The Baltimore Ravens did not have the 2025 campaign that they were hoping for, and that has led to some big changes early in the offseason. Shortly after their crushing Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, longtime head coach John Harbaugh was fired by the team. Shortly after, former Los Angeles Chargers‘ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was hired to replace him.
It didn’t take long for Harbaugh to land on his feet, as he was quickly hired by the New York Giants to be their new head coach. It’s clear that the Ravens decision to move on from Harbaugh was a controversial one, and in the wake of being hired by the Giants, he sent a message to the city he called home for almost 20 years.
John Harbaugh Says Goodbye to the Ravens
Harbaugh initially made a name for himself in the college ranks before landing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998 as their special teams coordinator. After a decade with the organization, the Ravens surprisingly decided to hire the unheralded Harbaugh to come in and be their new head coach.
Baltimore immediately became a consistent title contender under Harbaugh’s lead, as it frequently was among the top teams in the league during his time in town. In 2019, Harbaugh earned the NFL’s Coach of the Year Award, but his defining moment came when he led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
In 2025, Baltimore was expected to be a top Super Bowl contender, but it ended up missing the playoffs entirely. That certainly wasn’t entirely Harbaugh’s fault, which made the team’s decision to fire him all the more surprising. It’s clear that Harbaugh wasn’t exactly ready to leave, but after taking some time to process the move, he took a full-page ad out in the Baltimore Sun to say goodbye to the Ravens.
“Football can be about wins and losses, but what lasts are the relationships, the shared moments, and the bond between a team and its city,” Harbaugh said as part of his message. “Those memories will echo forever. With deep respect, gratitude, appreciation and love, thank you, Baltimore. Thank you, Ravens Flock.”
Ravens Looking to Kickstart New Era of Success in 2026
GettyNew Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter during a 2025 game.
Harbaugh certainly wasn’t the only reason for the Ravens’ lackluster 2025 campaign, but the team believed that he had run his course with the team and that a new voice was needed. It wasn’t a surprise to see Harbaugh quickly get scooped up by New York, and Baltimore fans will surely keep close tabs on his new squad to see how it fares in 2026 and beyond.
For the Ravens, Minter has been tabbed as Harbaugh’s successor after working with his brother, Jim, on the Chargers’ coaching staff for the past two seasons. Minter is widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see what he’s capable of doing with Lamar Jackson at quarterback on the offensive side of the ball. With Minter in town now, he has begun filling out his coaching staff in preparation for his first season in charge of his team.
John Harbaugh Issues Message to Ravens After Getting Fired