The John Harbaugh Fallout Could Reach the Vikings
After 18 years, the Baltimore Ravens cut ties with Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, a stunning development given that few had him on the hot seat.
The Vikings don’t need Harbaugh to enter their building, but there may be some under-the-radar ripple effects.
The Associated Press reported, “John Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure in Baltimore included two distinct periods of success. After taking over, Harbaugh capitalized on the last few years of Ray Lewis’ career, reaching the AFC title game three times in his first five seasons as coach and winning a Super Bowl.”
“When Lamar Jackson arrived in 2018, the Ravens became contenders again — but there’s been no conference championship yet for this particular era, and lately Baltimore has experienced more angst than glory. So Harbaugh is out of a job.”
Ravens Coaching Shift Creates New Angles for Vikings
And believe it or not, Harbaugh’s termination has ripple effects on the Vikings.
1. Lamar Jackson Trade Theories Dead
In addition to Joe Burrow theories, Vikings fans have spitballed that Jackson could be available via trade this offseason, if one assumes that Harbaugh and Jackson were nearing a split. Well, the Jackson trade hypotheses — to anywhere — should be considered dead.
In short, the Ravens chose Jackson over Harbaugh, or at least that’s the implication by canning Harbaugh after 18 seasons.
While a Jackson trade to Minnesota was never very realistic in the first place because the Vikings would have to donate three 1st-Round picks and more for the two-time MVP, the theory can be placed on the ash heap of rumor mill history. It’s just not happening now.
Sporting News‘ Ernesto Cova on the Jackson trade fodder: “According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Coach Harbaugh didn’t see eye-to-eye with his star quarterback, and that sentiment ultimately spread throughout the locker room. There were also some rumblings about Jackson’s future with the organization.”
“He was pretty banged up for most of the season and didn’t play up to his usual standards more often than not. The decision to part ways with coach Harbaugh, however, makes it seem as if the team has already chosen a side, so any potential trade, which always seemed unlikely, might not even be a possibility at this point.”
The Ravens have been snakebitten by end-of-season outcomes to the utmost over the last few years, almost rivaling the Vikings’ hardships of the past.
Cova added, “The Ravens will most likely keep Jackson involved in the head coach hiring process, and there should be plenty of suitors looking forward to a chance to coach one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks of all time.”
“The clock is ticking on him, and he knows he needs to get over the hump in the playoffs after so many years of shortcomings.”
2. Brian Flores as Replacement HC Candidate for Harbaugh
The Ravens may seek Flores amid their search for a new head coach. In fact, Flores just feels like a “Ravens guy.” Flores has been careful about what he’ll entertain, and that matters in the current coaching carousel. He isn’t chasing every open chair with a title attached. He’s looking for a place that doesn’t flinch at the first sign of turbulence, somewhere the job actually means something beyond a one- or two-year trial.
That’s why Baltimore might hit differently for Flores. It’s not a club that cycles through coaches to buy time or placate ownership. Harbaugh lasted 18 years because the organization values continuity and doesn’t cut bait flippantly.
Flores has already signaled he’ll leave Minnesota only for a situation that checks those boxes. That quietly rules out many teams. The Raiders are the easy example — a revolving door and extremely short leashes. Other openings come with quarterback uncertainty baked in; not the Ravens. Lamar Jackson is the QB1 beyond the shadow of a doubt. A two-time MVP, in fact.
The Ravens’ roster is ready, and Flores could cook with it right away. For a defense-first head coach, that matters. Put a reputable offensive coordinator in charge alongside Jackson, and Flores would take care of the rest.
If Flores wants a job that can actually last, this is the kind of opening that makes sense for all parties.
3. Vikings Coach … John Harbaugh … in 2027?
Just in case, this one must be mentioned.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell faces stakes in 2025 where he must win. Four years without a single playoff win doesn’t afford much job security. Thankfully, after his team started 4-8 start this season, he spurted to a five-game winning streak, instilling confidence that he’ll never lose a team entirely.
Yet, entering Year No. 5, O’Connell faces a win-now situation. He may have to win a playoff game to keep his job. O’Connell is charismatic and has built a fantastic locker room culture, but does that really matter if his team never wins in the postseason? Not really.
In that regard, perhaps Harbaugh will end up taking a year off. That happens. Mike Vrabel did it after the Tennessee Titans mind-bogglingly fired him. He returned in 2025 to lead the New England Patriots, and now that club could win the damn Super Bowl in Vrabel’s first year.
Theoretically, Harbaugh could take a year off, the Vikings could move on from O’Connell after 2026, and Harbaugh would rocket to the top of Minnesota’s 2027 head coaching search.
Hell, the Vikings almost hired Harbaugh’s brother in 2022 before landing on O’Connell.
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