Ravens fire John Harbaugh: Top ten potential candidates for Baltimore

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The John Harbaugh era is over in Baltimore, as the Ravens are firing their longtime head coach after 18 seasons with the organization. The Ravens finished the 2025 season 8-9 after starting the season 1-5, and out of the playoffs after Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired to suffer a 26-24 loss to the hated Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Harbaugh (18th season) was the NFL's second-longest-tenured head coach (Mike Tomlin - 19), with his 193 total wins tying Chuck Knox for the 12th-most by an HC in NFL history.

The 64-year-old Harbaugh ranks 12th among all-time NFL head coaches with 193 wins and guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2012.

Harbaugh had led Baltimore to 12 playoff berths in the past 18 seasons and to six postseason appearances in the last eight years. Still, relationships sometimes get stale, and while he's a quality head coach who'll have suitors on the open market, Harbaugh's act and message have fallen on deaf ears in the Ravens locker room.

Now, owner Steve Bisciotti will have his pick of the top candidates on the open market after an intense Black Monday.

With the move now complete, here are ten early candidates to watch.

Vikings DC Brian Flores

Flores has a defensive philosophy that Ravens fans would love, and one that would drive the opposition crazy. Flores clashed with Tua in Miami, and then, after his firing, he filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL (which is still ongoing) that alleged racial discrimination. Flores runs a 3-4 defense that is known for discipline, creativity, and physical play.

Chargers DC Jesse Minter

Minter succeeded current Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald as Michigan's defensive coordinator when Macdonald joined the Ravens in 2022. After winning a national title in 2023, Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, and his defenses have earned respect around the league as Los Angeles is tied for second in interceptions (15) and tied for eighth in takeaways (18).

Joe Brady, offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills

Brady is used to coaching high-profile quarterbacks. Buffalo's offense is third in offensive EPA (94.6), fifth in scoring (27.3 points per game), and fourth in yards per play (6.1).

Kevin Stefanski (Fired by Browns)

Stefanski is well-liked and well-regarded around the league, has had success with quality quarterbacks, and is a two-time coach of the year who led the Browns to the playoffs twice in six years in Cleveland, a team that hadn't made the playoffs since 2002 before his arrival.

Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator, Denver Broncos

Joseph's defense in Denver has been ranked among the league's best, and the Broncos were a league leader in sacks in 2025.

Chris Shula, defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Rams

Shula is well-regarded, as the Rams' young defense ranks fourth in defensive EPA (59.8) and has allowed the third-fewest points per game (17.5) in 2025.

Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator, Green Bay Packers

Hafley was the head coach at Boston College before taking the Packers' defensive coordinator job before the 2024 season, and he has a relationship with Zay Flowers. Green Bay has allowed just 4.7 yards per play, fifth best in the NFL.

Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator, Seattle Seahawks

With Kubiak running the Sam Darnold-led offense and overseeing the superstar breakout of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Seattle is fifth in yards per play (6.0).

Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury is a former NFL and college head coach who earned experience with the Cardinals from 2019 through 2022. Kingsbury went 28-37-1. He also played a significant role in the Commanders' QB Jayden Daniels winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Mike LaFleur (Rams offensive coordinator)

Baltimore has lacked creativity on offense, and shaking the Sean McVay coaching tree isn't the worst option. LaFleur, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, has worked under McVay and Shanahan and alongside Mike McDaniel.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens fire John Harbaugh: Top ten potential candidates for Baltimore

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