Ravens staring down Lamar Jackson nightmare as key coach exit looms

The Baltimore Ravens are a team set for a complete makeover this offseason. The firing of 18-year Head Coach John Harbaugh puts the team’s current coaching staff in complete uncertainty about their job security.

Obviously, the first order of duty is to get your next head coach inked to a deal. After that, though, the repercussions of the eventual hire will be felt from top to bottom. The Ravens will likely have a new Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator, and their position coaches could be on their way out, too.

Some coaches could also see promotions elsewhere. One of those could include Baltimore’s Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin. On Friday, Jordan Schultz reported that Martin is expected to interview with the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders for their offensive coordinator openings.

The Commanders already opted to go in a different direction, hiring from in-house, promoting David Blough to their OC spot. However, the Lions remain a threat to steal Martin away from the Ravens.

Martin has done a great job in Baltimore since joining the staff in 2021. But really started to make his mark in 2023 when he took over as the QBs coach. After a few underwhelming seasons, he got quarterback Lamar Jackson back into MVP form, helping Jackson to his second-career MVP in 2023, and almost coached him to his third in 2024.

On and off the field, Martin and Jackson have had a tremendous relationship. In a perfect world, the Ravens keep Martin around, but if he does depart, Jackson and the rest of the offense could take a hit.

Ravens face more uncertainty with Tee Martin becoming OC target

Let’s set the record straight: Jackson was an MVP before Martin came along. It’s obvious that no matter who’s on the coaching staff and who’s on the roster, he can get the job done. Whether that job gets done as an elite, efficient passer, as he’s become, though, is something that remains to be seen.

There’s no doubting Jackson’s pass ability. He’s grown into a lethal threat from the pocket pretty much since Martin arrived. He’s always been able to carve up defenses with his arm, but more recently, much of that has been thanks to Martin’s development.

With the Ravens searching for new coaches, Jackson will rightfully have a strong hand in that process. It is likely that Martin is one of those guys that he would want to keep around, and with his success, he could even be an offensive coordinator candidate on Baltimore’s staff.

In the same breath, Jackson and the Ravens are in a tough situation with his contract. His cap hit skyrockets to $74.5 million in 2026. He needs a new contract, and it’s one that should make him the highest-paid player in football.

Without Harbaugh and an uncertain coaching staff for next year, though, Baltimore’s future is undoubtedly in question. If they don’t pull the right strings with their coaching decisions, the rumors about Jackson’s future with the franchise could only get louder.

While Jackson did shut down those rumors late in the year, there remains a ton of speculation. Potentially losing Martin could only fuel more of that, but they should continue to just be that: rumors.