“We’re Doing One-on-Ones in Week 17,” Zay Flowers Throws Subtle Shade at John Harbaugh After Ravens Exit

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers revealed that John Harbaugh's training methods was leading to a lot of injuries to players.

“We’re Doing One-on-Ones in Week 17,” Zay Flowers Throws Subtle Shade at John Harbaugh After Ravens Exit

Zay Flowers and John Harbaugh (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Zay Flowers criticized former Ravens coach John Harbaugh for outdated training methods leading to injuries.
  • Harbaugh was fired after the Ravens failed to make the playoffs in 2025 despite a strong roster.
  • Flowers expressed optimism for the future under new head coach Jesse Minter, hoping for success similar to former coordinator Mike Macdonald.

John Harbaugh drafted Zay Flowers as 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Flowers slowly cemented himself as quarterback Lamar Jackson’s number one marksman. He finished as one of the top rookie receivers, followed by two trips to the Pro Bowl games.

During this time, they won their division twice, won a conference title once, and qualified for the division playoff game in 2024. The situation took a drastic turn in 2025 as the Ravens not only conceded the AFC North but also failed to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Shortly after, Baltimore made a long-overdue move. They fired Harbaugh at the start of the year. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network claimed that Harbaugh had lost his influence in the locker room.

Rapoport’s report checks out. Days after Harbaugh’s departure, reporters asked Steve Bisciotti if Harbaugh would still be the head coach if the Ravens managed to qualify for the playoffs. Bisciotti replied, “For a week.” He had already made up his mind that a change was required.

Zay Flowers shed more light on it while speaking with former NFL players Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette on the 4th and South podcast. The 25-year-old hinted that Harbaugh’s dated training methods caused confusion and injuries to the roster.

We were doing one-on-ones in week 17… Everybody out there, you tired [and yet] you still going… Lowkey, there were a lot of injuries, cause how we practiced.

Harbaugh spent 18 years in Baltimore and won a Super Bowl, but clearly underachieved despite boasting players like two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, OPOY recipient Derrick Henry, and All-Pro corner Marlon Humphrey.

Flowers was shocked to hear about Harbaugh leaving. He reminisced about the time when he first walked into the Ravens facility as a newcomer, but at the same time, wished him the best of luck for his new gig in the Big Apple. Flowers added:

I appreciated that he came and got me and that we did what we did. So, I’m excited for his new job over at the Giants to see what he does.

On January 20, Harbaugh officially signed with the New York Giants as their new head coach.

Zay Flowers shares what changes he is expecting from the new head coach

After seeing former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald‘s success in Seattle, the Ravens decided to adopt a similar stance by appointing Jesse Minter, who worked alongside Macdonald from 2017 to 2020.

"We're Doing One-on-Ones in Week 17" - Zay Flowers Throws Subtle Shade at John Harbaugh After Ravens Exit
Zay Flowers (Image via IMAGO)

Flowers is hoping to see Minter have a similar impact to Macdonald. He stated:

Everybody wants to take that next step… Coach [Mike] Macdonald went to Seattle, and he won the Super Bowl in two years. We are trying to get that done. We are trying to get that done this year, though.

Minter has also worked with Jim Harbaugh in LA for a couple of years. So, he should have a good grasp of both of their coaching techniques.

Like the past few years, the Ravens will be in the mix to win the Super Bowl. According to ESPN, Baltimore roughly has a 10-1 to 14-1 or between +1200 to +1400 odds to secure the Lombardi Trophy next February.

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