John Harbaugh contract: Ravens, coach agree to 3-year extension
John Harbaugh contract: Ravens, coach agree to 3-year extension
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Barry Sanders weighs in on the value of running backs in the NFL today, as well as his partnership with Sleep Number to fight sleep apnea.
The Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh have reached a three-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.
Harbaugh was entering the final year of his contract. His new deal will keep him with Baltimore through the 2028 season, which would take him through his 21st season in charge of the Ravens.
Harbaugh has coached the Ravens since 2008 and is presently the league's second-longest tenured head coach behind only Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harbaugh is the Ravens' all-time winningest coach, posting a 172-104 record over his first 17 seasons in Baltimore.
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Harbaugh's extension comes on the heels of a successful 2024 season that saw the Ravens post a 12-5 record. They won a second consecutive AFC North title and saw their offense blossom into one of the NFL's best, with Lamar Jackson posting a second consecutive MVP-caliber season and helping the team rank first league-wide in offensive EPA.
However, the Ravens weren't able to mount a Super Bowl run. The Buffalo Bills edged them 27-25 in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
Harbaugh will look to get back to the NFL's biggest stage in 2025 as he takes aim at a second ring as a head coach. He won his first Super Bowl in 2013, when he led Baltimore to a win in Super Bowl 47 against the San Francisco 49ers – then coached by his brother Jim Harbaugh.
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New York Times
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- New York Times
Patriots stock report: Efton Chism and other risers and fallers after spring practices
Before the New England Patriots adjourned for the quietest six-week stretch on the NFL calendar, with no practices or meetings until training camp begins on July 23, new coach Mike Vrabel stressed the importance of the time away. 'I don't think it's a downtime,' Vrabel said. 'It's time away from the facility. I think it's important. It's probably the five most important weeks of the offseason as far as I'm concerned. … It's critical that they come back in shape, that they're ready to go for training camp, that we're prepared as coaches with the schedule, the installation and what we're doing. The players have to hold up their end of the bargain to prepare for training camp.' Advertisement Still, the end of spring practices comes with some surprises. Roster cutdown day isn't going to be shaped much by organized team activities and minicamp, but those sessions do have an impact on where players stand heading into training camp. Today, let's look at the players who climbed the depth chart and fell the most this spring. We have to start here. No player's stock rose more than Chism's. He didn't just stand out to reporters at the sessions we watched. He drew praise from arguably the two most important people: Vrabel and Drake Maye. Maye said it felt like Chism 'had about 50 catches' during OTAs. Vrabel's remarks stood out, too. Perhaps it's just that people in these parts aren't used to the head coach praising any player, let alone an undrafted rookie who hasn't played a game, but Vrabel's comments turned a few heads. 'I think he's a talented player,' Vrabel said. 'I think he has a certain skill set. He's dedicated. He's studied extremely hard. He has a good feel for what we're asking him to do. I think the biggest thing for receivers is that there's trust from the guy that throws the football. … It doesn't take you long to figure out who the quarterback trusts. It's the ones they target (with passes). That's a good indicator.' Mike Vrabel on undrafted WR Efton Chism, a spring standout so far: 'I think he's a talented player. … He has a good feel for what we're asking.' — Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) June 10, 2025 Yes, they were only spring practices, and there is a long, long way to go. But at this point, it seems more likely than not that Chism makes the team. It may seem strange to include one of the league's best cornerbacks as a 'riser' based on spring practices, but Gonzalez looked like a true shutdown corner this spring, taking a step forward from his high level of play a year ago. Advertisement One day after Maye said he was going to challenge Gonzalez in practice, Maye had a receiver one-on-one downfield against Gonzalez, so he threw it up. But Gonzalez adjusted his body and came down with a great interception despite no safety help. In five practices open to reporters, Gonzalez had three picks. He looks primed for an incredible year that could solidify him as a top-five corner in the NFL. Part of practice is taking advantage of your opportunities. And while Rhamondre Stevenson was away from the team for a bit, dealing with a personal matter following the loss of his father, Henderson brought a juice to the team's backfield that it hasn't had in a few years. There were certainly fair reasons to be skeptical about a rebuilding team using its second-round pick on a running back. But Henderson's speed is obvious, and he'll be one of the most fun players for fans to watch in camp. The guess here is he ends up as the team's No. 1 back by the end of the season. It wasn't always clear whether Elliss would return to the Pats after he signed an offer sheet from the Las Vegas Raiders, but now he's got a chance to be a starting middle linebacker in New England. Jahlani Tavai suffered a leg injury in OTAs, and Elliss took advantage of the increased snaps. With a good camp, he'll be starting next to Robert Spillane. Amid the Patriots' overhaul on defense, the addition of Chaisson has gone slightly under the radar. But the 2020 first-round pick had some impressive moments this spring and could be looking at a meaningful role if he plays well in training camp. Chaisson is still just 25 despite already playing five NFL seasons and looks ready to build on the five sacks he had a year ago for the Raiders. Perhaps it's not fair to put injured players in this category. But as coaches often say, the best ability is availability, and Polk needs to stand out to this new coaching staff to earn a spot in a crowded wide receiver room. After a shoulder procedure in the offseason, Polk was limited to side-field activities this spring and couldn't do much with the team. The wide receiver competition will be fascinating to follow in training camp. Advertisement A year after recovering from an ACL tear, the Patriots would have liked to see more from Bourne than they did this spring. He was … fine. But they're likely only going to keep six receivers, and with Chism playing like he deserves a spot, the numbers get complicated quickly for Bourne. He needs a strong camp, or he could be a cut candidate. It hasn't been the start to his NFL career that Mapu hoped for after being a third-round pick in 2023. To simplify things for him, Vrabel has Mapu working at linebacker instead of both there and safety, where Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo used him. There's less depth at linebacker, which helps Mapu's chances of making the team. But I've got some concerns about a guy with durability issues suddenly playing a more physical position. Vrabel thinks Mapu can be a good blitzer, so he'll need to shine there in camp.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
‘I bring the juice every day': Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is having a blast during first NFL minicamp
Despite having a mountain of expectation on his shoulders, it appears that Travis Hunter remains unfazed. Hunter was the No. 2 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft after a Heisman Trophy-winning season with the Colorado Buffaloes. The 22-year-old is a unique prospect given his two-way potential at college – he played on offense as a wide receiver and on defense as a cornerback – and his desire to feature on both sides of the ball in the NFL. But that pressure to excel at two different positions – which very few players have ever tried, let alone succeeded at, on the pro level – doesn't appear to be getting to Hunter. At his first few days of minicamp with the Jags, Hunter has been seen dancing before plays and laughing with his new teammates as he gets his first taste of offensive and defensive NFL football. Speaking to the media, the Florida native said he's had no issues letting his personality shine despite the step up. 'It's been very easy for me. The guys come in and I bring the juice every day,' Hunter told reporters. 'I always got a smile on my face and make everyone laugh when I get the chance. 'So we're just having fun and just being kids out here – just loving it and living our dream.' Whether Hunter's two-way game will be able to translate from the college level to the NFL is yet to be seen. From his perspective, Hunter says there's 'not really any difference' between playing on both sides of the ball on either level, adding that he needs to 'stay in the playbook and apply it to the field' if he wants to succeed. According to Jags defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Hunter has all the tools to be a two-way star in the NFL. 'He just has a wealth of talent. He's a super intelligent guy, which makes it really fun. He's really quick on the uptake, so he's a fun guy to coach, to be around,' Campanile told reporters on Wednesday. 'I know his position coaches love coaching him and it's pretty impressive to watch a guy do that. I think it's really cool. It's been really fun, but I also think the coaches … have done a great job of just getting him up to speed on everything, and he's done a great job responding to it.' Jacksonville fans got to see their players up close and personal on Wednesday as the team held a two-hour session open to the public, a rare occurrence for an NFL offseason practice. The stands at Miller Electric Center were full as spectators got their first opportunity to see the team under first-year head coach Liam Coen as well as the crop of new players, with Hunter being the headline act. Hunter called the open session a 'great experience' while Coen said the players increased their effort levels because of the fans' support. '(We) really felt them, the players fed off that, especially some of the younger guys feeling some of that support being rookies and never having a practice quite like this with fans here,' Coen told reporters on Wednesday. 'So really appreciate everybody coming out this week, today especially.'
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Seven takeaways as Atlanta Falcons head into summer, starting at quarterback
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After two days of mandatory minicamp practices, the Atlanta Falcons have a final day of spring meetings on Thursday before breaking for the summer. The team won't reconvene until late July when training camp begins. The Falcons were on the field Tuesday and Wednesday, but head coach Raheem Morris referred to those workouts as 'big-time walk-throughs,' and the only 11-on-11 drills came at the end of each practice featuring the team's rookies and developmental players. A full 10 minutes of Wednesday's practice included offensive skill players competing in a quarterback drill, trying to throw a football into a trash can in the corner of the end zone 30 yards away. Advertisement The Falcons' focus for the week was 'above the neck,' Morris said. Still, there were things to learn about this team heading into the summer break. Here are seven offseason Atlanta takeaways: It's noteworthy how little doubt exists in Atlanta that second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can carry an offense that will be expected to put up big numbers this year. Penix started the final three games of the 2024 season and impressed his teammates and coaches, but his numbers didn't scream a sure thing. He was 27th in the league in passer rating (78.6) and 29th in completion percentage (58 percent), with three touchdown passes and three interceptions from Week 16 through Week 18. However, what the Falcons have seen from Penix behind the scenes, combined with his poise on the field, has coaches and teammates convinced he's bound for a big year. 'He gives us a huge confidence boost, and that arm is crazy,' wide receiver Drake London said. 'Can't wait to see what he can do with it this year.' Atlanta made clear in Penix's three starts that it will lean on his arm talent to power its offense. The University of Washington product was eighth in the NFL in passing yards (737) in the final three weeks of the season. 'He was at a very high level last year,' Morris said. 'Shocked us all last year at where he was. So, I'm really fired up and really pleased where he can go to the next step and take the next step.' MP9 👁️@themikepenix — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 11, 2025 Fifth-year tight end Kyle Pitts attended minicamp but was never spotted on the field as the team is being 'extremely cautious' about a foot injury he is dealing with, Morris said. 'Everybody is in different spots when you're talking about injuries,' Morris said. 'Hopefully, he's going to be fine, and we look forward to him being back for training camp.' Advertisement Falcons coaches continue to be publicly supportive of Pitts, but Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported multiple teams have reached out to Atlanta to inquire if Pitts might be available via trade. For now, that answer is no. 'I have a lot of belief in him,' Morris said. 'He's super talented. That's always going to be the thing that gives you hope on Kyle.' Pitts had 68 catches for 1,028 yards as a rookie but has only had 128 catches for 1,625 yards in the last three seasons. He'll play this season on his fifth-year option. 'He's done such a great job of all the things we have asked him,' Morris said. 'He's been absolutely outstanding to be around.' It sounds like Atlanta's defensive playbook will shrink this year while the unit's energy and volume increase. The Falcons remade their defensive coaching staff in the winter, hiring Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator, Mike Rutenberg as defensive pass game coordinator and Nate Ollie as defensive line coach. Rutenberg and Ollie, in particular, are notably active on the field and, according to their players, in the offices. 'Ruty's got a lot of energy,' cornerback A.J. Terrell said. 'He's somebody every football team needs. I know every building has got somebody like Ruty. First time I met him, I had gone upstairs to the offices. I was just up there to see all the new faces. He's like, 'Don't call me coach, I'm Ruty.' We went right into his office and talked about life, didn't even talk about football. He wants to be our best friend, can't wait to continue to work with him.' Ollie is so loud in defensive line meetings that other coaches close the door to their meeting rooms, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro said. 'There has not been one day he is not yelling at the top of his lungs,' Orhorhoro said. In return for asking their players to go extra fast on every snap, the Falcons defensive coaches will be scaling back what they ask those players to do. 'Brick and Ruty have had a lot of success in their system by putting high-end athletic guys on repeat,' Atlanta linebackers coach Barret Ruud said. Advertisement Free-agent linebacker Divine Deablo noticed that quickly upon his arrival. 'We're just going to play fast and not think,' Deablo said. 'They just want everybody to have simple jobs and going full speed.' The increasing complexity of NFL's offenses necessitates a scaling back on defense, said Ulbrich, who is intent on giving his players a set of rules they can apply even to offensive looks Atlanta hasn't practiced against. 'I could say, 'I'm just going to throw chaos back at (the offense).' That works for some people, but I don't feel good about that,' Ulbrich said. 'When a player comes to the sideline and we got beat, I need to give him an explanation of exactly what happened and how we fix it. If I can't do that, that's a fireable offense as far as I'm concerned. So, as they get more complex, and in my opinion, we get simpler.' So far, Morris believes the risk the team took by trading back into the first round to draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is paying off. Pearce didn't have a first-round grade from some teams due to concerns about off-field issues, two league sources told The Athletic, but Atlanta did extra background work on him before the draft, and Morris has been happy with Pearce's 'willingness to collaborate with the people that we hooked him up with,' the coach said. 'He was one of the guys that we dug into a bunch and really fell in love with the guy and who he is, the honesty,' Morris said. 'Being around him, it's been a lot of what I thought and what I expected.' Morris gave Pearce a locker next to Terrell, the veteran cornerback, hoping Terrell's work ethic would be a good example for the rookie. 'Cool dude, man, mature,' Terrell said. The quietest development of minicamp that could end up having the largest impact on the team is the return of safety DeMarcco Hellams to the practice field. Hellams played 15 games as a rookie in 2023, starting four times, but missed all of 2024 due to an ankle injury. He looked smooth and healthy this week in less-than-full-speed practice work, and veteran safety Jessie Bates believes Hellams can be a key contributor even with the addition of free agent Jordan Fuller and rookies Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman to the secondary. Advertisement 'He's the enforcer in our room,' Bates said. 'When we put on the pads, you'll know Hellams is back out there. He's pissed off right now. We call him Bamm-Bamm. He wants to hit people.' Morris is more than happy to have running back Bijan Robinson emerge as the face of his team. The head coach has spoken glowingly about the third-year running back throughout the offseason, and in March, the pair flew to New York to attend a boxing match between Tank Davis and Lamont Roach along with some of Morris' longtime friends. 'Me and him got to bond, and he got to know who I was more as a person,' Robinson said. 'I have a cool friend group, I think, but them dudes are wild. They are super funny, super sweet people. It's endless jokes. You can tell they all grew up together, and that love is always there. It's just cool to see where he came from and who he is, too. Me and him are just real similar people in that we try to be great people to everybody. If you can build chemistry with your coach, that is huge.' The 48-year-old Morris called the 23-year-old Robinson 'an old soul.' 'He is the hardest person on the team to talk about,' Morris said. 'He's such a great player, such a great human. I love being around him.' It's possible but unlikely the Falcons will move veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the return to training camp. Cousins, who told team owner Arthur Blank in March that he would prefer to be traded or released after being benched in favor of Penix, attended mandatory minicamp this week and committed to doing everything he can to help the team as long as he's around. It still would benefit the Falcons in many ways to trade Cousins, but there will be little incentive to do that during the break. Instead, Atlanta is likely to wait and see if a team gets desperate due to injury or ineffective play at the position once players are back on the field. Advertisement 'I've always believed in what Mike Shanahan told me my rookie year, which is tough times don't last, tough people do,' Cousins said. 'You have to be resilient. Life is going to have some curveballs, and you just have to keep moving. I think the key is that you don't pout or stop, you just keep moving forward and believe if you do that good things will happen.' (Top photo of Michael Penix Jr.: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
