Did Lamar Jackson Influence John Harbaugh's Firing? Ravens Owner Addresses Rumors

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti clarified Lamar Jackson's role in the team's decision to fire head coach John Harbaugh on Jan. 6.

"Lamar didn't have an outsized part in my decision," Bisciotti said Tuesday, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Jackson also told Bisciotti that he didn't have a problem with either Harbaugh or offensive coordinator Todd Monken, via Zrebiec.

Bisciotti revealed that Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is talking to Jackson after almost every coaching interview to discuss possible candidates and the quarterback is welcome to be part of final interviews, per Zrebiec.

Bisciotti was informed of Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday as well, calling the move "really shocking."

Monken, who has already reportedly interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' head coaching vacancy, reflected on the relationship between himself and Jackson.

"Lamar and I, to me, had a good relationship," Monken said during a Thursday appearance on the Ryan Ripken Show (h/t NFL.com's Grant Gordon). "Could it have been better? Of course. I never, Lamar and I, never had an issue. I don't know where that comes from."

"I never saw Lamar and coach Harbaugh not have a great relationship," he added. "I never saw that. I never saw coach Harbaugh and any of our players not have a great relationship. Never, not one time, so any of that would be news to me, but I don't know how people feel."

After the Ravens were eliminated from playoff contention with a 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, Jackson was asked if he wanted to see Harbaugh return as their head coach in 2026.

"You're asking me about next year," Jackson told reporters at the time. "I'm so caught up in what just happened tonight, I can't focus on that right now. I just told you. I'm stunned right now. I'm still trying to process what's going on."

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ESPN's Jamison Hensley also reported the two-time MVP's absence during voluntary spring workouts and his "new routine of sitting out one practice per week this season" turned into a "point of friction between Jackson and the coaching staff."

Still, Jackson didn't appear to have a heavy influence on Bisciotti's choice to move on from Harbaugh.

Baltimore's current job opening is particularly enticing compared to other vacancies due to the presence of its star signal-caller, who put together another strong year despite only appearing in 13 games.

Jackson completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He also rushed for 349 yards and two scores.