John Harbaugh raised ‘credibility’ question as Tom | Sports News

John Harbaugh is essentially the most sought-after man within the NFL for the time being – and Tom Brady might be the one to rent him.

The 63-year-old is on the hunt for his subsequent gig after being let go by the Baltimore Ravens as a result of not making it to the postseason. Despite the Ravens, one of the preseason favorites for the Super Bowl, posting an 8-9 file in 2025, Harbaugh’s standing as a top-tier coach stays unscathed.

During his 18-year tenure in Baltimore, Harbaugh guided the Ravens to the playoffs 12 instances. His group clinched six AFC North titles and made it to the AFC Championship Game 4 instances. Most notably, Harbaugh and the Ravens secured victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

Given this, it is no shock that quite a few NFL groups are rumored to have an interest within the seasoned coach. The Las Vegas Raiders are one such group, with part-owner Tom Brady taking part in a direct position in deciding the franchise’s subsequent head coach. It’s believed that Brady is keen to carry Harbaugh on board; studies even counsel that the seven-time Super Bowl champion needs to secure the coach “immediately.”

However, engaging Harbaugh to Las Vegas may not be a stroll within the park, with the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins among the many groups additionally in need of a new head coach. The Raiders do have the primary total decide within the 2026 NFL Draft, which might support of their teaching search.

Harbaugh has a lot of expertise with Brady, having confronted the long-lasting quarterback quite a few instances within the NFL. The coach discovered himself vexed by the officers when taking part in in opposition to Brady’s New England Patriots in October 2009. New England clinched that recreation 27-21, however Baltimore’s head coach recommended that Brady obtained totally different remedy from the officers in comparison with his quarterback, Joe Flacco.

The Ravens had been penalized twice for roughing the passer, with every penalty leading to a landing. Flacco was additionally hassled within the pocket, however just one penalty was given for a helmet-to-helmet hit. This prompted Harbaugh to carry up a “credibility” challenge.

“I know Joe got hit (six) different times hard, and there was one call,” Harbaugh stated on the time, as quoted by the Foster’s Daily Democrat. “There were five that weren’t called, and the one that was called with the sixth. Tom didn’t get hit five times. We want him to be hit more than he was hit, but when he did sort of get hit, it was called. That goes to the credibility of the whole thing.”

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis additionally commented: “It’s embarrassing to the game. Did that win or lose the game? No, but it got them 14 points.”

Lewis added: “A personal foul, and he isn’t even touched. He’s a man. They can be hit, just like us. We stop them, and then you look back and see a flag or a personal foul, and Tom Brady is laughing. It wasn’t no personal foul if he’s still smiling.”

Teammate and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs quipped: “Maybe next year it’ll be two-hand touch to get a sack.”

Brady, nonetheless, pushed back when questioned: “Are you kidding me? We’re holding the ball, we’re unprotected, just sitting there defenseless, so they’ve got to stay away from me. They deserve to get flagged.”

The Patriots would go on to heap additional disappointment on Harbaugh’s Ravens, defeating Baltimore within the 2011 AFC Championship Game (performed in 2012) earlier than falling to the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLVI. New England additionally triumphed over the Ravens within the 2014 AFC Divisional Game (performed in 2015) earlier than claiming victory in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl XLIX.

Baltimore did precise revenge during the 2012 NFL season, defeating the Patriots within the AFC Championship Game (performed in 2013) earlier than conquering the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl XLVII. The Ravens additionally secured a win over New England within the 2009 NFL Playoffs (performed in 2010).

Despite Harbaugh’s irritation that October day in 2009, it is uncertain to issue into his selection to simply accept or decline Brady and the Raiders’ offer. If present studies maintain true, Brady might be hoping Harbaugh joins his squad when the 2026 NFL season kicks off.