The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2025 season with championship expectations, a two-time MVP quarterback, and one of the most respected head coaches in the league in John Harbaugh. But after a startling slide to 6-7, questions about the franchise’s direction have intensified — and one NFL expert believes the team’s issues run deeper than injuries or bad luck. As a disappointing season unfolds, so does a growing conversation about whether Harbaugh’s long tenure may be nearing its natural end.
Ravens’ Struggles Raise Questions About John Harbaugh’s Future
For weeks, the speculation was centered on another AFC North coach: Mike Tomlin. After fans chanted “Fire Tomlin” and national discussions reignited around his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the narrative shifted dramatically when the Steelers beat the Ravens 27-22 on Sunday to take control of the division.
Baltimore’s loss shone an even brighter spotlight on Harbaugh. Once considered a Super Bowl favorite, the Ravens have instead become one of the league’s biggest disappointments. Baltimore is 6-7 overall and 5-5 in games Lamar Jackson started. Even with Jackson still working back to full strength, the issues run much deeper than the quarterback’s recovery.
The defense has struggled all season. The offense has been inconsistent. And the AFC North — a division widely viewed as weak this year — has given the Ravens every chance to take control, only for the team to let opportunity after opportunity slip away.
Harbaugh’s recent playoff record is also becoming part of the conversation. Since 2014, he is 3-6 in the postseason and has not made a Super Bowl appearance in over a decade. “Harbaugh has had an unquestionably great run, but is it getting stale in his 18th season?” Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab wrote.
If the Ravens miss the playoffs despite a favorable schedule, it’s fair to wonder whether the franchise could consider a drastic move.
NFL Experts Explain Why ‘Something Seems Off’ With the Ravens
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler offered one of the more eye-opening assessments of the team’s current reality.
“The Ravens are really interesting,” Fowler said. “That would qualify as a pretty major surprise, and while I think Harbaugh stays, something seems off there. They should not be 6-7 based on their roster talent. The lack of offensive production has been a source of frustration internally. This feels more like a reset in 2026, with multiple staff changes on the way.”
Fowler also contrasted Harbaugh with Tomlin, noting that Tomlin “is fiercely loyal to Pittsburgh,” and once again rallied the Steelers when it mattered most.
CBS Sports writer JP Acosta echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that Baltimore’s flaws are now too significant to ignore.
“This is a very flawed football team,” Acosta wrote. He explained that despite a still-manageable playoff path — including upcoming games against the Bengals, Patriots, Packers, and Steelers — the Ravens look “toothless” in too many critical areas.
Perhaps the most alarming issue is the offense. Since Jackson returned from injury, Baltimore’s points per drive have fallen to 1.96, a mark comparable to struggling teams like the Chargers and Cardinals. Their drive score percentage and EPA metrics also mirror bottom-tier offenses.
“The vibes are in shambles for this Ravens offense,” Acosta added, pointing to coverage busts, poorly timed drops, and a lack of push up front. He wrote that the lack of focus “falls on the coaching,” and Baltimore may need to ask difficult questions if the slide continues.
Acosta concluded, “Now, I’m not calling for John Harbaugh’s job yet, but if this team misses the playoffs given the way they’ve looked all season, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Harbaugh is no longer the leader of the Ravens.”
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