OTL: Next Ravens Head Coach has Clear Mandates

Killing the “Underachiever” Narrative

Tuesday afternoon’s press conference with Owner Steve Biscotti and General Manager Eric DeCosta was exactly what you’d want from an end-of-season presser with your two biggest decision makers. Biscotti and DeCosta were both transparent and honest when asked about the decision to fire former head coach John Harbaugh. Biscotti’s answers felt like they lifted a weight off the shoulders of fans, as he emphasized the late blown leads, the underachieving with such a talented roster, the lack of “next steps” taken by key players, and continued postseason failures. Baltimore ranks 5th in wins since 2020 (62), sitting behind the Eagles (63), Packers (63), Chiefs (72), and Bills (73). Besides the Packers, the remaining three teams have reached multiple conference title games or Super Bowls since the 2020 season, with the Ravens reaching just one AFCCG in 2023. With a two-time MVP in Lamar Jackson under center, there’s no other way of putting it, other than straight failures.

Since 2022, Baltimore has turned the ball over eight times in four postseason games. During those three playoff runs, the Ravens finished T-4th, T-2nd, and T-3rd for most turnovers in the playoffs in those years. There’s no doubt, Baltimore truly becomes a whole different team when January arrives, and not for the better. Taking advantage of a Super Bowl window that could close in the snap of a finger will be a tough task to ask of a newly hired head coach.

Baltimore is without a doubt the hottest team on the coaching market, and is expected to cut their list down to about four or five candidates by the weekend. Whether it’s a young offensive or defensive mind, or a veteran coach who’s been around the block, there are high expectations with this talented roster.

Ranking the Baltimore Ravens Head Coach Options

Getting the Most from Jackson

Lamar Jackson is set to enter the 2026 season with a significant (and frankly, unworkable) $74.5 million cap hit. Biscotti stated Tuesday that he informed Lamar that he wants a new deal finished by the start of free agency in March, and that if it can’t get done, they will add void years to his current deal to lower his cap hit. Lowering Jackson’s cap hit not only helps out the front office, but also allows Harbaugh’s successor the ability to enter the organization with more flexibility to add pieces that fit his scheme.

Priority number one for the next Ravens head coach is getting on the same page with the three-time All-Pro. Harbaugh and his staff had their strengths, but being on the same page with Jackson never seemed to be one of them. The Ravens coaching staff showed, in multiple instances this season – primarily when Jackson was injured – that communication may not have always been consistent and transparent between staff and player. Anyone who’s followed the team since 2018 or Jackson’s career back at Louisville understands he walks to the beat of his own drum, but it seems time for Jackson to be that vocal leader the team needs and get the culture back where it belongs. An off-year due to lingering injuries has people forgetting what we all witnessed from Jackson a season ago. It’s what makes names like Klint Kubiak, current Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator, intriguing, to tap into even more of Lamar’s bag of tricks.

All we can do at this point is hope the team makes the correct hire, and Baltimore gets back to their winning ways.

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