John Harbaugh's 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end.
The Ravens fired Harbaugh on Tuesday, Jan. 6, a person familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon, concluding the reign of the winningest coach in franchise history and second-longest tenure among active NFL coaches. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on a move that had not been publicly revealed.
The decision comes in the aftermath of Sunday's season-ending loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who recaptured the lead in the final minute and then watched as Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed what would have been a game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired. The loss not only sealed the AFC North title for the Steelers but also dropped Baltimore out of the playoffs with an 8-9 mark, just the third losing season of Harbaugh's entire career.
Speculation of a possible split between Harbaugh and the Ravens had swirled amid a trying season for Baltimore. Still, the separation, which comes a little more than nine months after the two sides agreed to a three-year contract extension, might be the most notable and consequential coaching shift of the NFL offseason.
