HOT TAKES: From Harbaugh to Nnamdi to Lamar to Bad Bunny

Harbaugh Head Games

Since John Harbaugh’s departure from Baltimore, we’ve seen many fans suggest to others that it’s time to let it go. John is in New York, and the Ravens have ushered in a new era with the hiring of Jesse Minter. The message is clear – MOVE ON!

After 18 years of “marriage”, it’s quite natural to experience a period of mourning. You remember the good but also remind yourself of the bad and the reasons we all landed upon this doorstep to permanent separation. You wish the departed well, but there’s still a little sting left behind.

Could the Ravens have accomplished more under the guidance of a different head coach? Did the team underachieve on Harbaugh’s watch? Should more hardware decorate the trophy case at One Winning Drive?

At the end of the day, what’s done is done but Harbaugh’s activities as the Giants’ skipper so far, are reminders of his bumbling antics in Baltimore, case in point being his hiring of Matt Nagy to be the Giants new offensive coordinator. For someone who had a head start over everyone else in building a new staff Harbaugh had a big swing-and-miss with Nagy.

And to those who thought that my speculative thoughts about a burgeoning rivalry between Harbaugh and his former bestie Eric DeCosta isn’t real, I’m here to tell you that it is. Sit back and watch this thing unfold and let’s hope that the pull and tug competition doesn’t get in the way of what’s best for the Ravens franchise.

But what’s wrong with welcoming the new while taking a few shots at someone who because of his shortcomings, left a Lombardi or two on the table?

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You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension distorted by nepotism & cronyism. It’s a journey into a land of wasted challenges, mismanaged clocks & blank stares where leadership lacks imagination. There’s the signpost up ahead – your next stop, the Harbaugh Zone!

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Moving North

When a head coach leaves one organization to go to another and assumes the same rank and file, it’s quite natural for them to bring staff and players along with him. Familiarity adds to comfort. We’ve already seen that with Harbaugh in The Big Apple. It wouldn’t surprise me to see free agents like Charlie Kolar, Pat Ricard and possibly Tyler Linderbaum migrate to Big Blue and the NFC East.

I like Kolar – a lot. At this stage in their respective careers, Kolar can do all that Mark Andrews can at a significantly cheaper price. But GM Eric DeCosta made what appears to be an egregious error driven by emotion by extending Andrews who just looks to be in the November of his career.

New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle prefers personnel groupings that don’t frequently utilize a fullback. He has strong roots in systems that frequently utilize 11 and 12 personnel. Ricard might represent an unnecessary luxury for the Ravens moving forward under Doyle and Jesse Minter.

Linderbaum is potentially the Ravens biggest offseason loss. The Ravens have been unable to work out a new deal with Linderbaum. The team declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option for the 2026 season because it would have cost $23.4 million, apparently too high for his position. To tag Linderbaum is even more expensive. All offensive linemen are grouped together when it comes to the franchise tag. In other words, traditionally less expensive O-line positions like guard and center cost the same for purposes of the franchise tag as high-priced tackles. Over the Cap projects the 2026 OL franchise tag at $27,188,000. That is also far too expensive a price to pay to retain Lindy.

Center John Michael Schmitz is the incumbent. Schmitz is a former All American out of Minnesota and a 2023 2^nd-round pick. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal, which carries a $4.37 million cap hit and a base salary of $3.91 million, according to Spotrac.com. Word is that Schmitz is a player on the ascent the Giants landing Linderbaum would be viewed as a luxury, particularly for a team that is lacking in skill position playmakers. But there is that Harbaugh v. DeCosta thing going on…

BEEKS

Nnamdi Madubuike was sorely missed in 2025. Without his interior pass rush ability, Ravens opponents could double down on Travis Jones freeing RBs in pass pro to chip on the Ravens edge defenders. Without Beeks, Baltimore’s pass rush was anemic. According to RavensWire, Zach Orr’s defense finished 24th overall, 30th in passing defense, 30th in total sacks and 29^th in pressure win rate. The 30 sacks were just three more than the franchise record for fewest sacks in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010).

Madubuike missed all but 2 games in 2025 and rumors surfaced that the neck injury he suffered against the Browns in Week 2 was career-ending. But lately, Beeks, someone who hasn’t tweeted since the summer of 2024, has posted three cryptic tweets. Madubuike is either trolling Ravens fans (not really his style) or he’s hinting that there is hope for his return to action in 2026. I’ll let you decide, but make no mistake, if Madubuike is available to the Ravens in 2026 and he’s close to 100%, it will be the equivalent of a free first-round pick, particularly in light of the bleak outlook.

Good news

— Justin Nnamdi Madubuike (@Madabeeks) January 30, 2026

pic.twitter.com/ucbhTFcnaW

— Justin Nnamdi Madubuike (@Madabeeks) February 3, 2026

[Related Article: Do You Believe in Miracles?]

No Show Lamar

During his presser back in January, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti made it clear that he welcomed Lamar Jackson’s participation in the hiring process for a new head coach. Bisciotti also offered to fly Jackson to Baltimore to secure his involvement. There’s no evidence that an in-person meeting ever happened.

When the Ravens hired Jesse Minter, several current and former players were on hand to greet and welcome Minter. Jackson wasn’t one of them.

Defenders of Lamar will say that his involvement in the process wasn’t necessary nor was his attendance at Minter’s welcoming presser. And they would be right. But, the face of the franchise, the team’s meal ticket and leader should have been there. It’s the right look. It’s the look that Lamar’s detractors wanted as proof of the 29-year-old quarterback’s commitment to the team.

Speaking of which, there is still no progress in a contract extension for Lamar. Bisciotti was all in on the team simply re-doing Lamar’s last extension with financial enhancements to make Jackson the game’s highest paid player. If only things were that simple with Lamar.

Greedell

I loathe Roger Goodell. He’s condescending; thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room; insults your intelligence with his shallow answers and empty promises; and he has a unique ability to look someone in the eye and lie through his teeth. Want proof?

By now you are fully aware of the political agendas that regularly pollute the Grammy Awards. This year was no exception. Is it too much to ask an artist to do what they’re paid to do – entertain? Many just can’t control themselves. But ole Roger thinks that Bad Bunny and Green Day will.

Listen to this answer from the world’s most disingenuous man…

Roger Goodell heard Bad Bunny condemn ICE at the Grammy’s, rumors that he may wear a dress to honor LGBTQ icons, knows he incorporates demonic themes in his music, heard him mock NFL fans for not knowing Spanish on SNL, & he STILL believes the Halftime Show will “unite people”…… pic.twitter.com/sggaKzU0nP

— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) February 3, 2026

The post HOT TAKES: From Harbaugh to Nnamdi to Lamar to Bad Bunny appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/02/04/tltakes/harbaugh-and-goodell-both-lie/