Chargers-Ravens set for 2024 becomes rematch between brothers Jim, John Harbaugh
The stakes have just been raised for the Baltimore Ravens’ road trip to SoFi Stadium in their battle against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In a coaching battle that hasn’t happened since Super Bowl XLVII, newly-named Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and his brother, Baltimore Ravens headman John Harbaugh will have their teams face off against one another at some point during the 2024-25 NFL season. The game’s time, date and television designation are still TBD.
That last meeting between the two saw John’s Ravens win the Super Bowl behind the arm of Joe Flacco and a defensive unit featuring Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs. They defeated the 49ers 34-31, and it marked the first time in NFL history that two brothers coached against one another in the league’s championship game.
Still, that game was over a decade ago, and the Baltimore Ravens have undergone a complete makeover with Lamar Jackson leading the charge. John Harbaugh and Jackson are still in the mix for the Super Bowl this season, having made the AFC Championship game after last week’s playoff victory.
Just weeks ago, Jim Harbaugh led the Michigan Wolverines to its first national championship of the century, and the first of the College Football Playoff era. Now inheriting a Los Angeles Chargers team that just finished a 5-12 season, Harbaugh will have his work cut out for him turning the franchise around as quickly as possible. It will be interesting to see how Harbaugh meshes with quarterback Justin Herbert, and whether or not he can utilize him better than Brandon Staley was able to.
Herbert battled through injuries during the 2023-24 season and finished the year with 3,124 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games played — the lowest sample size of any of his first four years in the league. Before last season, Herbert briefly became the highest-paid player in the NFL after he signed a seven-year deal worth $262.5 million. Harbaugh is now going to be tasked with proving why Herbert was worth that massive contract.
With Harbaugh moving on the the NFL, that leaves the Michigan head coaching job wide-open. Initial reports point toward offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore stepping over to claim Harbaugh’s old seat. According to Michigan state law, however, the job has to be open and posted for at least seven days before being filled.