NFL Teams Could Contact Ravens About Trade For HC John Harbaugh

Adam Schefter, citing league sources, reports that other NFL teams believe John Harbaugh could be pried away from the Ravens, even though the team announced that he’ll be back for the 2019 season.

According to Schefter, at least one team that’s considering a head-coaching change has pondered the possibility of inquiring about Harbaugh if the Ravens miss out on the playoffs.

Sources tell Schefter that this mystery team believes that Baltimore would be more apt to part ways with Harbaugh if they fall short of the postseason.

Jason La Canfora mentions the Jets, Buccaneers, Broncos and Dolphins as teams who are “very high” on Harbaugh.

The Ravens announced that Harbaugh will return for the 2019 season and they planned to open extension talks. However, Schefter says that multiple sources around the league think the Ravens made the announcement as a scare tactic to other teams and a way to tell them to keep away.

Last night, Ian Rapoport reported that there’s a “real possibility” Harbaugh elects to coach next year without signing a new deal.

This would give Harbaugh and new Ravens GM Eric DeCosta another year to see how they mesh before deciding on a long-term commitment. Beyond that, Harbaugh’s stock could be quite high and give him a lot of leverage in contract talks with the Ravens or another team.

Reports from the past month or so mentioned that the Ravens and Harbaugh were expected to part ways before the team somewhat surprisingly announced that he was going to return next year and they were opening extension talks.

It’s still possible an interested team could reach out to the Ravens about a potential trade for their head coach, but it’s been a while since a move like this was made.

Harbaugh, 56, began his NFL coaching career with the Eagles in 1998 as their special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. He spent 10 years in Philadelphia before he was hired as the Ravens’ head coach in 2008.

During his nine years with the team, Harbaugh has led them to a record of 103-72 (58.9 percent), which includes six playoff appearances and one Super Bowl championship in 2012.

We’ll have more regarding Harbaugh as the news is available.