As I alluded to in an article just before kickoff of the noon games Sunday, the final result from that evening’s Steelers-Ravens contest would have an immediate impact on the future of the losing coach, and it did. John Harbaugh is out after 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. He left as the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL, and he’s now on the unemployment line, though it’s unlikely to be for very long. So, what exactly happened to Harbaugh and what’s next?

While the reports claim the Ravens fired Harbaugh, I’m told that is not entirely true. Sources reveal that a plan was presented to the head coach to keep him on board in Baltimore, but it required Harbaugh to fire several of his assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Todd Monken, which he refused to do. As a result, the sides decided to part ways. Had Harbaugh agreed to the changes in his staff, he would still be coaching the Ravens.

Harbaugh now becomes the hottest coaching candidate in a year where the pool is shallow for head-coaching prospects. Reports say Harbaugh’s agent, Bryan Harlan, received more than a half-dozen calls from NFL teams inquiring about hiring him once news broke that he had been let go by Baltimore.

Within 45 minutes after the news broke, the agent received calls from as many as seven teams, showing interest in Harbaugh.

So, where could he end up?

On Sunday, I mentioned a potential trade to the Tennessee Titans, which looks unlikely now. Not only does Harbaugh control his destiny, which negates a trade possibility, but since Sunday, people have told me that it’s unlikely he would voluntarily work for Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, who is known in league circles to be difficult at times.

Two teams continue to pop up: The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Multiple people have pointed to the Atlanta Falcons as a landing spot for Harbaugh, as it’s a young team with an owner who would mix well with the new coach. The defense would appeal to Harbaugh, and the Falcons also have a young quarterback in Michael Penix Jr., who is also a building block.

Plus, there is significant talent outside of the quarterback, like running back Bijan Robinson. That could entice the coach to make a stop in Atlanta.

But it will be a tough job. While the roster is surely talented, there might not be much freedom for an overhaul due to the salary cap constraints. If that’s a challenge that Harbaugh is open to, the Falcons could be a good landing spot for him.

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The Buccaneers would be a surprise landing spot, as the team presently has a head coach in Todd Bowles. Several people tell me they expected Bowles to be part of the Black Monday carnage and didn’t think he’d last this long. Recent reports claim Bowles has agreed to release several assistants to keep his job and will be returning to Tampa for the upcoming season.

Despite this, several people I spoke with still believe the team’s owners, the Glazer brothers, could opt for Harbaugh, who would bring a whole new culture to Tampa, and dump Bowles.

Reports also suggest that his offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, will go wherever Harbaugh goes. Harbaugh reportedly fought hard in Monken’s favor before the Ravens fired him.

Who will be the replacement for Harbaugh in Baltimore?

The Ravens went 8-9 this season and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. And now, Baltimore will be looking for a new coach. There are two natural choices, starting with Jesse Minter, presently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, who worked as a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach under Harbaugh from 2017 to 2020.

Under Minter’s leadership, the Chargers’ defense allowed 18.5 points per game in 2024 and 20 points per game in 2025. His ability to develop players has also been impressive.

He previously also served as a defensive assistant with the Ravens, working with defensive backs from 2017 to 2019. For the 2020 season, he got promoted to defensive backs coach but later left the franchise to take the defensive coordinator job at Vanderbilt.

The other choice is Seattle Seahawks first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. People tell me that the appeal of Kubiak is the belief he could bring several of the defensive coaches with him from Seattle if hired, coaches who previously worked on the Ravens coaching staff before following Mike Macdonald out west after the Seahawks hired him in 2024.

Additionally, there are also some familial ties between the Ravens and the Kubiak family. Klint Kubiak’s father, Gary, was the Ravens’ offensive coordinator in 2014 before heading to Denver.

As per reports, Brian Flores (Vikings defensive coordinator), Jeff Hafley (Packers defensive coordinator), Mike McCarthy (ex-Packers and Cowboys head coach), Chris Shula (Rams defensive coordinator), Kevin Stefanski (ex-Browns head coach), and Anthony Weaver (Dolphins defensive coordinator) are also potential candidates for the head coach position in Baltimore.