If Tyler Loop had hit the 44-yard field goal attempt on Sunday, John Harbaugh would still be the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
Rather, Loop’s error forced Harbaugh to leave Baltimore, even though it is evident that Harbaugh’s 18-year career would have ended if he had not had a long postseason run.
In contrast to the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, the Ravens obviously feel as if they have reached a plateau under Harbaugh, which is intriguing given that Harbaugh has recently won postseason games.
In reality, Harbaugh has advanced to the AFC title game in 2023 after winning a playoff game in each of the previous two seasons and three of the previous five. Since the 2016 season, Tomlin has not even come close to winning one. Additionally, Harbaugh has won four of the last eight AFC North crowns and two of the last three.
It was insufficient. The Ravens have opted for risk over consistency. They want better for themselves. Owner Steve Bisciotti believed that a quarterback who had won two MVP awards needed more. In his opinion, Harbaugh had just reached his limit in Baltimore. Furthermore, I do not believe he is incorrect. Eighteen is a long time.
After 14 years, the Philadelphia Eagles let go of Andy Reid. After 14 years, the Seattle Seahawks let go of Pete Carroll. After almost 13 years, the Green Bay Packers ended their relationship with Mike McCarthy. After 24 years, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots parted ways. Every time, both sides made it out alive. Many prospered, but not Belichick.
Kyle Brandt of NFL Network aptly described the Harbaugh scenario by drawing a comparison to a peaceful divorce.
“There are moments when it is just time to go,” Brandt said. “That individual is a fantastic person, and they will become an excellent [person] for someone else.” That does not imply that they are no longer suitable for you.
All of this begs the obvious question about Tomlin: Have the Steelers reached a point where they are no longer winning postseason games if the Ravens have reached a plateau in never returning to the Super Bowl after all these years?
If they defeat the Houston Texans on Monday night, that will not be a problem. In this case, perhaps the Steelers are the wiser team. However, Tomlin’s career postseason record will slip to 8-12, his playoff drought will reach a staggering nine years, and he will have seven consecutive playoff defeats under his leadership.
It seems to be a pattern. However, whatever of Monday’s outcome, we all know that Tomlin will not be leaving until he takes the decision. The same would have happened if Loop’s kick had broken the uprights.
With Harbaugh’s exit—we are predicting he ends up with the New York Giants—Tomlin becomes the longest-tenured coach in NFL history. And maybe, just perhaps, he has found his magic again. The Steelers seem to be on the verge of a successful run.
However, what happens if they don’t? What happens if they finish 10-8 and fail to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year? This is how their previous five years would appear:
10-8 10-8 10-8 9-8 9-7-1
Is that sufficient?
It is an honest question, and it could be for the New York Jets. It does not belong here. The Ravens seemed to have underperformed despite Harbaugh’s three-year record of 33-18 and two postseason victories.
That being said, Harbaugh should get a tip of the cap as he leaves. What a fantastic rivalry he and Tomlin have had over the course of 40 games.
Even if the Ravens have had stronger seasons, Tomlin has been in charge recently. Curly Lambeau and George Halas were the only two coaches who faced each other more often than these two.
Harbaugh is one of the good people, just like Tomlin. I recall meeting him at the Ravens training camp in 2008, just after he was hired, and inquiring about his one-year stint under Mike Gottfried as a graduate assistant coach at Pitt in 1987.
In addition to working with Pro Football Hall of Famer Sid Gillman to teach the tight ends, Harbaugh was requested to visit every high school in Western Pennsylvania with Pitt’s media guide.
“I had a Datsun 210, I think it was, persimmon orange, all rusted out, about 15 years old with a clutch, going up and down those hills in Western Pa. in my coat and tie,” Harbaugh remembered. “You just are unable to navigate. I mean, I can see the school there on that hill, but I do not know how to get there.
After over 40 years, Harbaugh has built his own Hall of Fame career, but it will need to go somewhere else. It is okay that his time in Baltimore is over.
