Report: Ravens owner fired Harbaugh over the phone

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired John Harbaugh over a phone call Tuesday as the veteran head coach drove home from the team facility, sources told The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec and Dianna Russini.

Harbaugh, who spent 18 years as the Ravens' head coach, met Monday with general manager Eric DeCosta, executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, and team president Sashi Brown to discuss his vision for the club's future, adds Zrebiec and Russini.

Bisciotti didn't attend Monday's meeting, but the owner reportedly spoke with several players Tuesday to get their opinions about Harbaugh. One player even visited Bisciotti's home for an in-depth conversation about the coach, per Zrebiec and Russini.

Two days after the phone dismissal, Bisciotti apparently spoke with Harbaugh again, once emotions had settled, to better explain his decision to relieve him of his duties.

Baltimore finished this past season 8-9, its worst record since 2021. A missed 44-yard field goal by Tyler Loop as time expired against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend sealed the Ravens' fate of missing the postseason.

Harbaugh was hired by the Ravens in 2008 following a 10-year run on the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff. The 63-year-old recorded a 180-113 regular-season record and a 13-11 playoff record with Baltimore, highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVII victory.

Bisciotti has been the Ravens' majority owner since 2004. He will now hire just his second head coach since purchasing the team, after replacing Brian Billick with Harbaugh in 2008.