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Deadspin | Ravens going Hollywood? Early favorites emerge to replace John Harbaugh

Deadspin | Ravens going Hollywood? Early favorites emerge to replace John Harbaugh

May 28, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Ravens immediately leapt to the front of the pack for the most appealing job openings in the NFL after parting ways with John Harbaugh following 18 years on Tuesday.

The Ravens have a two-time NFL MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, veteran weapons at the skill positions and a defense that continues to reload with talent thanks to one of the most well-respected front offices in football.

Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti didn’t take firing a Super Bowl-winning coach lightly, and he likely didn’t do so without having a strong short list of candidates in mind.

Several early front-runners immediately emerged, with a pair of Los Angeles-based defensive coordinators topping the list at one sportsbook.

The Rams’ Chris Shula is expected to draw interest from several teams this offseason, and was installed as the +300 favorite. That was just ahead of the Chargers’ Jesse Minter, who followed Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, from Michigan to the Chargers.

The Washington Commanders parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on Monday, but the noted quarterback guru might curry favor with Jackson, who is coming off one of the most frustrating seasons of his eight-year career.

Kingsbury, who has previous head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals, is followed by another highly respected coordinator seeking a second opportunity to run an NFL team. Brian Flores has helped Minnesota feature one of the league’s most feared defenses following a three-year stint as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach and one on Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh.

Flores’ +700 odds are the same as those for Kevin Stefanski. Despite being fired by the Cleveland Browns on Monday, Stefanski is expected to be a hot commodity in this year’s coaching cycle that reached seven vacancies with John Harbaugh’s firing.

RAVENS NEXT COACH ODDS*

Chris Shula (+300)

Jesse Minter (+350)

Kliff Kingsbury (+500)

Brian Flores (+700)

Kevin Stefanski (+700)

Klint Kubiak (+900)

Jim Schwartz (+1000)

Robert Saleh (+1200)

Mike McCarthy (+1200)

Mike LaFleur (+1600)

Steve Spagnuolo (+1800)

Anthony Weaver (+2000)

Matt Nagy (+2000)

Vance Joseph (+2000)

Jeff Hafley (+2500)

Joe Brady (+2500)

Anthony Campanile (+2500)

Vic Fangio (+2500)

Arthur Smith (+2500)

Kevin O’Connell (+3300)

Marcus Freeman (+3300)

Josh McDaniels (+3300)

Greg Roman (+4000)

David Shaw (+4000)

Jon Gruden (+5000)

Jason Garrett (+6600)

Deion Sanders (+6600)

Marvin Lewis (+6600)

Bill Belichick (+6600)

*an online sportsbook odds provided for entertaining purposes only.

Harbaugh’s dismissal came two days after the Ravens’ season ended on a missed field goal as time expired at Pittsburgh in the final game of the NFL regular season. The 63-year-old hits the open market with a Super Bowl victory and 180 career wins on his resume.

The Ravens reached the playoffs 12 times under Harbaugh while winning fewer than eight games only once, but they have not been back to the Super Bowl since the February 2013 game.

“Our goal has always been and will always be to win Championships,” Bisciotti said in a statement. “We strive to consistently perform at the highest level on the field and be a team and organization our fans take pride in.

“I will always be grateful for the extraordinary hard work and dedication displayed by John and his staff throughout the many successful years. …

“We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount.”

–Field Level Media

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A top ​envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked ‌FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in ​the upcoming World Cup, the Financial ⁠Times reported on Wednesday.

The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister ‌Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against ‌Pope Leo XIV over the Iran ‌war, ⁠the FT reported, citing people familiar with ⁠the matter.

“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World ​Cup. I’m an ‌Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the ‌pedigree to justify inclusion,” U.S. special envoy ​Paolo Zampolli told the FT.

The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation(FIGC) ⁠and Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Italy suffered a shock ‌in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 1-4 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Meanwhile, Iran has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup.

Iran reportedly issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was ​prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify ⁠the report.

Iran had said earlier in April it would ⁠only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once it ‌received a response from FIFA over the relocation of its matches from the U.S. ​to Mexico.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Italy #replace #Iran #FIFA #World #Cup #Trump #envoy #seeks #change #Reports">Italy to replace Iran in FIFA World Cup 2026? Trump envoy seeks change: Reports  A top ​envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked ‌FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in ​the upcoming World Cup, the        Financial ⁠Times reported on Wednesday.The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister ‌Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against ‌Pope Leo XIV over the Iran ‌war, ⁠the        FT reported, citing people familiar with ⁠the matter.“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World ​Cup. I’m an ‌Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the ‌pedigree to justify inclusion,” U.S. special envoy ​Paolo Zampolli told the        FT.The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation(FIGC) ⁠and Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.Italy suffered a shock ‌in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 1-4 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Meanwhile, Iran has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup.Iran reportedly issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was ​prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify ⁠the report.Iran had said earlier in April it would ⁠only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once it ‌received a response from FIFA over the relocation of its matches from the U.S. ​to Mexico.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Italy #replace #Iran #FIFA #World #Cup #Trump #envoy #seeks #change #Reports

Deadspin | Strong second period carries Flyers past Penguins for 3-0 edge  Apr 22, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) checks Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images   Trevor Zegras, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Noah Cates all scored their first career playoff goals to guide the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday and a three-games-to-none series lead.  After capturing Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia scored three times in the second period of this one, and Dan Vladar took care of the rest with 28 saves.  Owen Tippett had the other goal for the Flyers. Cates and Zegras each added an assist, and Jamie Drysdale, Sean Couturier and Noah Juulsen logged two assists apiece.  Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored for Pittsburgh, which needs to win Saturday in Philadelphia to save its season. Stuart Skinner made 24 saves for the Penguins.  Pittsburgh opened the scoring 4:18 into the contest on a power play. Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Malkin connected on a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that ended with Malkin’s tally from the doorstep.  That was the only goal of the first period, but the middle session saw plenty of offense — all from Philadelphia — and a significant amount of physical play.  The second-period scoring began with Zegras’ power-play goal on a one-timer from the right circle at 5:18.  At the time, there were 11 players in the penalty boxes. Following a scrum on the previous shift, all 10 skaters were assessed roughing penalties with Rust getting an extra minor that had to be served by a teammate.   Less than four minutes later, the teams were back at full strength when Ristolainen scored from the right circle after a nice feed from Juulsen. Ristolainen received the puck with space and beat Skinner through the five-hole.  About two minutes later, Seeler’s shot from the blue line got through traffic and found the back of the net.  Pittsburgh pressured in the third period, which turned out to be an eventful stanza for Vladar. He lost a skate blade early in the session and then hurt his right arm on a collision with Rust a couple minutes later.  The injury appeared to affect Vladar, as he promptly allowed a power-play goal when Karlsson’s shot snuck just under his arm with 10:21 remaining.  However, Philadelphia regained the momentum with a power-play goal less than three minutes later when Cates took a pass on the doorstep, reverse-pivoted into the crease and lifted a forehand under the crossbar.  Tippett’s empty-netter with 1:12 left put an exclamation point on the victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Strong #period #carries #Flyers #Penguins #edgeApr 22, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) checks Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Trevor Zegras, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Noah Cates all scored their first career playoff goals to guide the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday and a three-games-to-none series lead.

After capturing Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia scored three times in the second period of this one, and Dan Vladar took care of the rest with 28 saves.

Owen Tippett had the other goal for the Flyers. Cates and Zegras each added an assist, and Jamie Drysdale, Sean Couturier and Noah Juulsen logged two assists apiece.

Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored for Pittsburgh, which needs to win Saturday in Philadelphia to save its season. Stuart Skinner made 24 saves for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh opened the scoring 4:18 into the contest on a power play. Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Malkin connected on a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that ended with Malkin’s tally from the doorstep.

That was the only goal of the first period, but the middle session saw plenty of offense — all from Philadelphia — and a significant amount of physical play.

The second-period scoring began with Zegras’ power-play goal on a one-timer from the right circle at 5:18.


At the time, there were 11 players in the penalty boxes. Following a scrum on the previous shift, all 10 skaters were assessed roughing penalties with Rust getting an extra minor that had to be served by a teammate.

Less than four minutes later, the teams were back at full strength when Ristolainen scored from the right circle after a nice feed from Juulsen. Ristolainen received the puck with space and beat Skinner through the five-hole.

About two minutes later, Seeler’s shot from the blue line got through traffic and found the back of the net.

Pittsburgh pressured in the third period, which turned out to be an eventful stanza for Vladar. He lost a skate blade early in the session and then hurt his right arm on a collision with Rust a couple minutes later.

The injury appeared to affect Vladar, as he promptly allowed a power-play goal when Karlsson’s shot snuck just under his arm with 10:21 remaining.

However, Philadelphia regained the momentum with a power-play goal less than three minutes later when Cates took a pass on the doorstep, reverse-pivoted into the crease and lifted a forehand under the crossbar.

Tippett’s empty-netter with 1:12 left put an exclamation point on the victory.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Strong #period #carries #Flyers #Penguins #edge">Deadspin | Strong second period carries Flyers past Penguins for 3-0 edge  Apr 22, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) checks Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images   Trevor Zegras, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Noah Cates all scored their first career playoff goals to guide the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday and a three-games-to-none series lead.  After capturing Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia scored three times in the second period of this one, and Dan Vladar took care of the rest with 28 saves.  Owen Tippett had the other goal for the Flyers. Cates and Zegras each added an assist, and Jamie Drysdale, Sean Couturier and Noah Juulsen logged two assists apiece.  Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored for Pittsburgh, which needs to win Saturday in Philadelphia to save its season. Stuart Skinner made 24 saves for the Penguins.  Pittsburgh opened the scoring 4:18 into the contest on a power play. Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Malkin connected on a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that ended with Malkin’s tally from the doorstep.  That was the only goal of the first period, but the middle session saw plenty of offense — all from Philadelphia — and a significant amount of physical play.  The second-period scoring began with Zegras’ power-play goal on a one-timer from the right circle at 5:18.  At the time, there were 11 players in the penalty boxes. Following a scrum on the previous shift, all 10 skaters were assessed roughing penalties with Rust getting an extra minor that had to be served by a teammate.   Less than four minutes later, the teams were back at full strength when Ristolainen scored from the right circle after a nice feed from Juulsen. Ristolainen received the puck with space and beat Skinner through the five-hole.  About two minutes later, Seeler’s shot from the blue line got through traffic and found the back of the net.  Pittsburgh pressured in the third period, which turned out to be an eventful stanza for Vladar. He lost a skate blade early in the session and then hurt his right arm on a collision with Rust a couple minutes later.  The injury appeared to affect Vladar, as he promptly allowed a power-play goal when Karlsson’s shot snuck just under his arm with 10:21 remaining.  However, Philadelphia regained the momentum with a power-play goal less than three minutes later when Cates took a pass on the doorstep, reverse-pivoted into the crease and lifted a forehand under the crossbar.  Tippett’s empty-netter with 1:12 left put an exclamation point on the victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Strong #period #carries #Flyers #Penguins #edge

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