The Baltimore Ravens are searching for their next head coach, and with Sean McDermott being available, they may have to give him a call.
This NFL head coach hiring cycle has gone from surprising to shocking in just a week. After the Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh, he joined the New York Giants as their new leader.
Divisional rival and also long-tenured head coach Mike Tomlin also stepped down from the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott as one of the headcoaches with multiple seasons under their belt.
That was until the Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, leading to the team firing McDermott on Monday.
Similar to the Harbaugh and Ravens situation, McDermott could simply not get his team over the hump and into the Super Bowl. A change was likely needed, and it happened.
Now, McDermott is available, and reports have indicated that he plans to coach in 2026. Similar to Harbaugh, the former Bills coach should now be a top candidate for most teams.
One of the biggest aspects of the Ravens' head coach search is that owner Steve Bisciotti indicated the team needs a coach who understands the Baltimore culture and can add to it. The team is also looking for a leader who can offer passion and longevity.
This has McDermott written all over it. Despite his failings in Buffalo, he took over the team in 2017 and turned the franchise around.
Apart from the 2018 season, the Bills gone to the playoffs in every season with McDermott leading. He has an overall record of 98-50, and an 8-8 playoff record.
Simply put, McDermott is a winner. In the same manner that Harbaugh was, the former Bills coach helped to mold and guide Josh Allen, and handling a quarterback of that caliber could be what is needed to help elevate Lamar Jackson.
The Bills have been a longtime rival of the Ravens, and McDermott could be the answer that Baltimore is looking for.
Baltimore has already interviewed 16 hopefuls, with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver landing a second interview. There will be more in the coming week, but McDermott could jump to the top of the list for Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta.
It would not be the least bit shocking for the Ravens to slow their search just a little to allow McDermott an interview. Then again, they may have already found their new head coach in the 16 interviews they have thus far.
Either way, McDermott being available should make things interesting for the Ravens and the remaining teams in need of a new head coach.