Things are still fresh, but some days are harder than others when it comes to picturing the Ravens without John Harbaugh. And while most of my Out to Lunch pieces focus almost exclusively on the Ravens, I can’t help but be a bit different today:
John Harbaugh's message at his introductory press conference as the next Giants' head coach:
"To the Ravens: I'd like to extend a profound thank you, to Steve and Ozzie for the opportunity, for the guidance that they provided every single day. To all the players and coaches who… pic.twitter.com/n28oyHHVzI
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 20, 2026
John Harbaugh gets it: “It's the New York FOOTBALL Giants. My dad taught me they were the New York FOOTBALL Giants. They weren’t just the Giants — they were the New York FOOTBALL Giants.” https://t.co/R0lYLX7bY7 pic.twitter.com/V3X3oRaTxK
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 20, 2026
I wonder if any New York Football Giants fans are worried by the lack of gratitude for Ravens fans. Regardless, Jonas Shaffer wraps up the key points from Harbaugh’s presser here:
“It starts with building a team that is … capable of overwhelming their opponent from beginning to end — and especially at the end."
John Harbaugh didn't say much about the Ravens today, but it was hard not to raise your eyebrow a few times.https://t.co/3SWnRNRzbH
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) January 20, 2026
Meanwhile, the Ravens continued their own Head Coach search on Tuesday, and as Adam Schefter unpacks below, they’re in no rush:
Baltimore’s head-coach hiring process is starting to feel a lot like its draft process.
This and conference championship storylines with @tyschmit:
https://t.co/cfkhY4fFzj pic.twitter.com/hz4Qfd6Ay0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2026
Many fans have expressed frustration at the lack of urgency Baltimore has exhibited in this search – as someone who liked the idea of Robert Saleh, I can understand why. But ultimately, as is the case with many Ravens draft selections, Baltimore brass will work meticulously through this process and may well end up with a coach that nobody saw coming:
Two weeks ago today, John Harbaugh was dismissed in Baltimore. With six reported candidates still in the playoff field, feels like a safe bet to expect the Ravens' search to span beyond Championship Weekend.
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 20, 2026
I think the list of people who haven’t interviewed for the ravens HC job is shorter than the list of people who have at this point
— Bengal (@BengalYouTube) January 19, 2026
The best part about the current state of Ravens' HC discourse is most definitely that 75% of people will be unhappy with the hire.
There is no consensus. Not a name. Not an archetype. Nothing.
— Matt Wise (@TheMattWise) January 20, 2026
At the end of the day, as Cole Jackson notes here, wouldn’t we want the coach that makes it through a grueling interview process rather than one hired hastily?
I'm honestly a little surprised people are frustrated the Ravens are waiting to hire someone.
I've seen a lot of interest in Klint Kubiak for example. They have to wait to interview him next week.
Do you want them to hire Anthony Weaver just to say they hired someone? Confused
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) January 20, 2026
Either way, here’s where things stand now:
The Ravens will be hosting second interviews for the following HC candidates:
• Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
• Chargers DC Jesse Minter
• Bills OC Joe BradyMore are expected soon. pic.twitter.com/qG3qe3HYWD
— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@RavenNationLIVE) January 20, 2026
Ravens did 16 interviews in 1st rnd of search. Two (Stefanski, Saleh) have been hired elsewhere.
Five (Joseph, Webb, Kubiak, Scheelhaase, Shula) are still in playoffs and couldn't do in-person interviews until next wk. Three others (Weaver, Minter, Brady) are amongst finalists— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 20, 2026
Ravens head coach search update:
4 of 10 vacancies filled: Harbs (Giants), Hafley (Dolphins), Saleh (Titans), Stefanski (Falcons)
Second interviews reported: Joe Brady, Jessie Minter, Anthony Weaver
Candidates still in the playoffs (can't interview till Monday): Nate…
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 20, 2026
There’s no doubt that Jesse Minter is the hottest of the three reported names coming back for secondary interviews. That said, there’s numerous names – Klint Kubiak included – that could still be added to this list in the coming days (if not already, at the time of this article’s posting). I tend to agree with Chris Canty in believing that one truth remains: Baltimore is the league’s best Head Coach opening at this moment in time.
"The head coach of Lamar Jackson. To me, you got an organization that already has championship pedigree." @ChrisCanty99 on whether the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens has a better head coaching opening pic.twitter.com/jp8a5Iqcek
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 20, 2026
It’s funny Canty mentions Zac Taylor, as he’s now the second-longest tenured coach in the league. Another thing the Ravens’ next coach will have going for them is the sense of stability offered by ownership. While Buffalo certainly stood by Sean McDermott for a number of years, Baltimore has a history of consistency at all levels.
As Vasilis Lerikos highlights below, the NFL’s era of coaching stability is long gone, and up until two weeks ago, Baltimore was one of the only organizations continuing to prioritize continuity.
Zac Taylor is now the second longest tenured head coach in the AFC (6 seasons) behind only Andy Reid (13 seasons)
Seems the NFL is entering a new era with owners prioritizing results over stability
And the NFL’s parity model should provide some exciting rollercoaster rides…
— Vas (@VasilisLerikos) January 19, 2026
Is that era over here, too?
It’s critical to stress the belief seemingly shared across the league and its media that Owner Steve Bisciotti and company will make the right decision in the end. Without a doubt, they need to. As the entire process unfolds, and as it culminates in a decision, it’s important to recognize the individuality of these candidates:
I do find it funny that Anthony Weaver is seen as a "Harbaugh disciple" that will just be Harbaugh 2.0.
But at the same time, Mike MacDonald was our great miss.
These dudes are their own individual coaches. Being part of a tree doesn't mean you act the exact same.
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) January 20, 2026
The name might not stand out as the obvious choice, but that doesn’t make it a bad one. As QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens of old said, Truzz!
The post OTL: Ravens Fans Need to Stay Patient in Head Coach Search appeared first on Russell Street Report.
