There was nothing inevitable about the Baltimore Ravens firing John Harbaugh as head coach, but things changed once his “refusal” to make a key change to his staff became clear during conversations with owner Steve Bisciotti.
A report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic on Tuesday, January 6 revealed how “A key pressure point in the John Harbaugh dismissal, according to those familiar with today’s discussions, was his refusal to entertain any conversations about potentially moving on from offensive coordinator Todd Monken.”
Harbaugh’s fidelity to Monken proving his downfall after 18 years in charge is ironic. Not least because OC Monken is in line to interview with an AFC North rival about their head-coaching vacancy.
Yet, it’s not a stretch to believe Ravens ownership didn’t share Harbaugh’s faith in Monken. Not after the play-caller made some mysterious strategic decisions about the use of bell-cow running back Derrick Henry late in the season.
There were also times when two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson looked less than his usually dynamic self on Monken’s watch. If Harbaugh wouldn’t relent to the demand for a key change to his staff it would make sense of the sudden, surprising and seemingly “not mutual” decision to dispense with the Super Bowl winner’s services.
John Harbaugh Decision Unexpected
The Ravens parting ways with Harbaugh was something of a blindside move, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. He pointed out how “As of midday today, several people around Ravens felt that John Harbaugh was returning. His conversations today with team owner Steve Bisciotti yielded a different result.”
Zrebiec also noted other reasons to believe this decision was unexpected. Specifically, “That John Harbaugh didn’t have chance to inform his staff of his firing is proof of how quickly this all went down. Neither side was prepared for this outcome today. Ravens team president Sashi Brown and general manager Eric DeCosta informed Harbaugh’s staff of his departure.”
This point of view was lent instant credibility when the Ravens posted a statement from Bisciotti led by the words “I decided to make a change at head coach. Today I informed John that he has been relieved of his duties.”
Those words prompted Zrebiec to conclude “There’s no ambiguity with the statements here. This wasn’t a mutual decision.”
It’s no surprise Harbaugh wouldn’t want to green-light his own dismissal. Especially after he only signed a contract extension last offseason.
There was still pressure for the veteran coach to help a roster with apparent championship-level talent finally realize its potential. The Ravens didn’t do that after finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs.
Although there were multiple issues, Monken’s injury-hit and erratic offense faltered in key moments.
Todd Monken Still a Problem for Ravens
Shunning the kind of run-heavy offense that defined the Ravens for most of Harbaugh’s tenure for a pass-crazed approach became a worrying trend for Monken. Particularly in big games, like when Monken shelved 2023’s league-leading rushing attack during defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.
Harbaugh continued to defend Monken, even amid speculation the latter was no longer calling the offense in the season’s penultimate game. The way he fronted for Monken was in stark contrast to Harbaugh’s willingness to call out another under-fire coordinator.
What’s odd here is how Monken needn’t have been an issue in deciding Harbaugh’s future. Not when Monken’s “received a request to be interviewed for the #Browns HC job. He received multiple requests last year and should again,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Monken staying in the division while Harbaugh looks for work elsewhere, possibly in the NFC East, would be cruel irony. Although perhaps not as cruel as Harbaugh and Monken reuniting in Cleveland and aiming to punish the Ravens twice a season.
John Harbaugh’s ‘Refusal to ‘Entertain’ Key Change Led to Ravens Exit: Report