Ravens Choose Lamar Jackson Over John Harbaugh’s 18-Year Tenure, Says Skip Bayless

John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson would have been preparing for another trip to the postseason had they not lost in the division-deciding Week 18 clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Their rookie kicker’s miss may have been the final nail in their season’s coffin, but their 2025 campaign raised several questions about more profound problems facing the team.

After all, this Ravens roster was considered a preseason favorite to win Super Bowl LX. The first time those questions arose was when they struggled to hold on to leads late in games.

Then, Jackson’s injuries compounded matters, and eventually, they were left to depend on a Shedeur Sanders and his Cleveland Browns’ favor to keep any hope alive in the season finale.

Now, after the loss, the Ravens announced that they had parted ways with John Harbaugh. When this news broke out on The Arena, Skip Bayless‘ first reaction was this:

They had to choose between Lamar and the head coach, and they chose the QB as they should have. You better.

Skip Bayless said

As soon as the 74-year-old said this, show host Kinsey Wolanski reminded him that he had previously discussed this being a possible concern for the Ravens during the middle of the season.

"They had to choose between Lamar & Harbaugh and they chose the QB as they should have."

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: The Arena Gridiron crew reacts to the Ravens FIRING John Harbaugh🚨 pic.twitter.com/dKwPWeZ5YE

— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) January 6, 2026

Bayless then detailed how he had read a report on how the team was with Lamar Jackson, which, to him, felt as if they were united against John Harbaugh.

John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson’s differing opinions on OC cost him his job

Once the shock and awe of John Harbaugh’s dismissal subsided, many questioned why the Ravens would do this now, especially with a dearth of top-quality candidates available. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini believes differing opinions ended his 18-year tenure.

A key pressure point in the John Harbaugh dismissal, according to those familiar with today’s discussions, was his refusal to entertain any conversations about potentially moving on from offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Dianna Russini revealed on X

This reason ties to what Skip Bayless said, as there were already rumblings that Lamar Jackson and many others on the offensive side were unhappy with the way they were playing, and wanted a change.

A key pressure point in the John Harbaugh dismissal, according to those familiar with today’s discussions, was his refusal to entertain any conversations about potentially moving on from offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 6, 2026

It seems Harbaugh’s reluctance to sidestep one of his most trusted assistants led the franchise to take this call. This goes on to add further proof that the top brass preferred to side with their superstar quarterback over their stubborn head coach.

John Harbaugh has already started fielding a lot of calls for not only vacant head coaching openings but also some from teams who already have someone in the top office. He may be back coaching soon, but it won’t include Jackson.

Hall of Fame head coach flames Ravens for firing John Harbaugh

As John Harbaugh fields calls for open positions, the Baltimore Ravens will have to start looking at potential candidates. That is where Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy feels the franchise will face a problem.

They made the playoffs 3 straight years and missed this year because their kicker missed the game-winning FG on the last play of the season. And he was fired???? I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Good luck, Baltimore, in finding a better coach.

Tony Dungy wrote on X

The Hall of Fame coach listed out all the accomplishments the Ravens managed with Harbaugh as their head coach. He then asked if missing the playoffs in the manner they did was on their former head coach’s shoulders.

I can’t believe what things have come to in the NFL. John Harbaugh has coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 years. He took them to the playoffs 12 times. He won a Super Bowl for them. The last 4 years they were 10-7, 13-4, 12-5, 8-9. They made the playoffs 3 straight years and… pic.twitter.com/p4DnVmT8BS

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 6, 2026

Dungy then flamed the DMV area franchise with a reality check, wishing them luck in finding a coach better than the one they just fired. He might have a point, as there aren’t many surefire options available.

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