John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens wisely extend long-time head coach John Harbaugh for three more years.
John Harbaugh is not going anywhere, as the Baltimore Ravens extended their long-time head coach for three more seasons on Tuesday afternoon.
Harbaugh has been with the Ravens since the 2008 NFL season. He led the franchise to its most recent Super Bowl victory in 2012. With Lamar Jackson firmly in his prime as the team’s franchise quarterback, Harbaugh has about as good of job security as any head coach in the league. He was entering a contract year this season, but looks to stay the third longest tenured NFL head coach.
Only Bill Belichick (New England Patriots) and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers) have been with their respective organizations longer than Harbaugh has with the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens extend head coach John Harbaugh through 2022 NFL season
Since leaving Cleveland and becoming the Ravens in 1996, Baltimore has been one of the better run organizations in the league. While they have not often had one of the better offenses in football, they have a strong cultural identity, one based on great defensive play and absolutely outstanding evaluation of talent during the draft process. It makes things easier for Harbaugh.
No coach should ever want to go into a season on an expiring contract, especially one who has been entrenched for as long as Harbaugh has. Baltimore may be one of the preeminent teams in the AFC North, but the Cincinnati Bengals just won the conference in Joe Burrow’s second season in the Queen City. Steadiness will be key in staying relevant in the NFL’s black and blue division.
Ultimately, it was more strange that Harbaugh had not been extended beyond this season than him getting three years tacked onto his current deal with the franchise. The guy is a Super Bowl-winning coach and almost never has a bad team in the Charm City. Not to say he has a lifetime contract with Baltimore, but it seems as though Harbaugh will be coaching there indefinitely.
This contract extension takes the pressure off Harbaugh to get the Ravens to the playoffs in 2022.