Ravens Owner Considers Mike Tomlin as Harbaugh Replacement

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti sparked speculation about a potential coaching change during a recent press conference. As he discussed the decision to fire head coach John Harbaugh, news broke that Mike Tomlin would step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. This prompted questions about whether Tomlin could be a candidate to replace Harbaugh.

Responding to an inquiry about Tomlin, Bisciotti called the idea “interesting.” He humorously remarked, “Holy s—, wouldn’t that be awesome? Only if John takes the Pittsburgh job.” His comments come in light of a recent game where the Ravens suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers, with Tyler Loop missing a potential game-winning field goal. That missed kick allowed Pittsburgh to secure a 26-24 victory, propelling them into the playoffs and ending Baltimore’s season.

The rivalry between the Ravens and Steelers has been significant, with Bisciotti noting that Tomlin and Harbaugh faced each other 44 times during their tenures with these AFC North clubs. Despite the playful speculation, there is currently no indication that Harbaugh is interested in coaching the Steelers, and Tomlin’s future remains uncertain.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Tomlin’s coaching rights will remain with the Steelers since he voluntarily stepped down. In June 2024, he signed a three-year contract extension that includes a team option for 2027. This means any team, including the Ravens, would need to negotiate a trade to acquire Tomlin’s services, similar to how the Denver Broncos secured Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints in 2023.

Bisciotti expressed long-standing admiration for Tomlin, stating, “I love Mike. I mean, I’ve admired Mike for 18 years, and that’s really shocking that he did it that way.” He added that any decision regarding Tomlin would ultimately rest with Eric DeCosta, the Ravens’ general manager.

As for Tomlin’s future, reports suggest he may take a break from coaching through at least the 2026 NFL season. Media outlets, including Fox, have emerged as potential suitors for Tomlin, possibly hiring him as an analyst in the near future.

With talks of coaching changes and speculative trades, the Ravens’ leadership finds itself at a crossroads, navigating the competitive dynamics of the NFL while considering the implications of their decisions on the team’s future.