John Harbaugh’s abrupt firing from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons has sent shockwaves through the NFL, but according to Yahoo Sports NFL writer Frank Schwab, it’s a move that could pave the way for the veteran coach to land in a prime spot elsewhere.
In an interview on the latest Sportsnaut Interview podcast, Schwab broke down the Ravens’ decision to part ways with Harbaugh, one of six coaches canned on Black Monday following a disappointing season that saw Baltimore miss the playoffs.
“Everybody was surprised, but you could kind of see this coming,” Schwab said. “That whole Ravens season just seemed off. They didn’t play well, obviously, and I don’t think it was just a matter of, well, they missed the playoffs, Tyler Luke missed a field goal, you’re going to fire Harbaugh. I just think that they realized there’s something there, there’s a split here.”
Harbaugh, 63, leaves Baltimore with a 172-103 regular-season record, including a Super Bowl victory in 2013. His departure creates one of eight head coaching vacancies league-wide, a list that also includes Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski, Miami’s Mike McDaniel and New York’s Brian Daboll. Schwab noted that both Harbaugh and Stefanski are already being linked to multiple openings, a sign of their respected status.
“The fact that we’re hearing both Harbaugh and Stefanski’s name linked to almost all of these jobs, I think it speaks volumes to how the rest of the league feels about those two guys as head coaches,” Groat said during the podcast.
Schwab: Not All Open NFL Jobs are the Same
Schwab ranked the open jobs, placing the Ravens at the top for their stability and recent contention. He slotted Atlanta second, citing a solid roster and the appeal of a clean slate with a new general manager, and the New York Giants third, despite their struggles since their last Super Bowl win in the 2011 season.
“The Ravens are top of the list. And I think that’s easy,” Schwab said. “Like that, I don’t even really need to explain it. Rock solid organization. They were a Super Bowl contender four months ago before the season fell apart.”
For Harbaugh, a potential landing spot could be among those top-tier gigs. Schwab highlighted the Falcons’ desirability in the weak NFC South, where an 8-9 record won the division this year. The Giants, with a young core, might also appeal, though they’d require faith in quarterback Jackson Dart for at least another season.
“If you’re John Harbaugh and you’re picking between the Dolphins and the Giants, if you’re just doing it by football alone, it’s a no-brainer. It’s the Giants,” Schwab said, knocking Miami’s cap woes and rebuild needs.
Schwab also praised under-the-radar candidates like former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, whom he sees as a strong fit for teams seeking a defensive-minded leader. But for Harbaugh, the focus remains on his proven track record.
“Wherever Stefanski lands, I think it’s getting a good coach,” Schwab said, drawing a parallel to Harbaugh’s situation. “And honestly, I just don’t see the Browns hiring anybody better than Kevin Stefanski, given especially their quarterback situation.”
As Wild Card Weekend approaches, the coaching carousel spins amid a wide-open playoff field. Schwab called it the deepest in years, with 12 of 14 teams capable of a Super Bowl run. For Harbaugh, the next chapter could come quickly in a league hungry for winners.
He predicted a Seahawks-Texans Super Bowl matchup, but the real intrigue lies in where coaches like Harbaugh end up reshaping franchises.
