Dec 24, 2025
3 min read
John Harbaugh isn't looking into his future.Why Tyler Loop missed his 56-yard field goal.Harbaugh wants Rashod Bateman to be more involved.
Derrick Henry's absence in the fourth quarter remains one of the biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots.
On Monday, reporters delved into the mechanics of how one of the NFL's famed tight ends didn't get a chance on the Ravens' last two drives.
Henry didn't see the field when the Scorpions scored a 2-yard touchdown to put the Ravens ahead by 11 points with less than 13 minutes left in the quarter.
Baltimore ran eight offensive plays after that — one leading by three points and one by four with just over two minutes left.
Harbaugh explained that Henry and Keaton Mitchell were designated as the team's first and second linebackers, with Henry slated to start two-thirds of the units in the rotation.Rasheen Ali was the third down specialist.
Before the penultimate race, Harbaugh said Henry and Running Backs coach Willie Taggart had a side conversation and determined that Mitchell would start and Henry would finish.
"Looking back now, I would have grabbed that and said, 'No, put Derek in the game,'" Harbaugh said."But it doesn't really work in real time. Players rotate, coaches rotate, plays are called."
Harbaugh said the type of play that is called can also determine who starts the series.The second and final drive began with an incomplete pass to Rashod Bateman, ruled by Patriot cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
"The opening game was the game of KEATON," said Harbaugh."I think this was a big part of it starting the series. The idea was to bring derry after a few pieses."
After the Ravens went down on third down and moved the chains, Mitchell stayed in the game.On the first down, he ran right to no avail.The Ravens then fumbled on the next two plays and punted.
"I wish [Henry] had come in after we got the first one -- if I caught it, if I saw it," Harbaugh said.
“You look back and say, ‘Yes, it makes sense to move in a certain direction.You just put Derrick in any game.”We would all be happy again."
Harbaugh said he wouldn't burn a timeout to get Henry on the field, but he's already made it clear he wants a certain player on or off the field.
"If I look back now, I'd rather [Henry] was there," Harbaugh said."I don't argue with that at all - on a fundamental level."
Harbaugh focuses on the present, not the future
Ravens,Harbaugh and Pittsburgh Steelers (19 seasons) Ravens;Along with Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin, his 18 seasons are the two longest-tenured coaches in the NFL.
Harbaugh said worries about his future were never mentioned, and he won't start with two games into the season with the Ravens fighting for a playoff spot.
"Coaching at any level is a day job," Harbaugh said."Your job is to do your best today. It's never about keeping the job. I'm trying to do the job, not keep the job. I'm not thinking about what's after today."
"The future is today. The future is the Green Bay Packers (the Ravens' next opponent). That's what we're looking at."
Harbaugh was asked about the feedback he received from Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, with whom Harbaugh has a close relationship.
"Steve is great, he's a great leader," Harbaugh said."He's supportive, he's challenging. Steve wants to win."
"I've had a lot of adversaries in this business and even in my family. There's no bigger rival than Steve Bisciotti. That's one of the many things I admire about him. He's great, he challenges in a great way and I appreciate that. He makes me better. That's what I'm thankful for."
Technical problem causes Tyler Loop to miss the shot
New Tyler Loop scored 36 yards against the Patriots but missed 56 yards in the third quarter.The loop has very strong legs, so it's surprising that the kicks are so good.
Harbaugh said the problem is loop technique.
"I watched it this morning with him," Harbaugh said."When he started his was off. He just dropped his foot a little bit and ended up pushing it. He got into it a little bit, pushed it right, there was a lot of spin, that's why it was short. I'm sure he could kick it, but it's not a good way to hit the ball."
Harbaugh talks about Rashod Bateman's recent lack of targets
In his past three games, Rashod Bateman has caught two passes for 23 yards while being targeted just six times.
Bateman missed three games with an ankle injury but had 18 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Ravens' depth at wide receiver and tight end gives Lamar Jackson plenty of targets to choose from.Bateman didn't catch a snap against the Patriots and was only targeted twice, but he impacted the game in other ways.
"As a coach you can't control where the ball is going," Harbaugh said."Even the play-callers can't control it."
"I will say this about Rashod. I was very pleased with the way he played. I think he deserves more of the ball. There's no question about that. He's a great runner. He blocks very well, which you appreciate. We want the ball to go to him."
