PTI Podcast Summary: “Baltimore Ravens Fire John Harbaugh!”

Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Notable Guest: Jeff Saturday

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the stunning firing of John Harbaugh as Baltimore Ravens head coach after 18 seasons, dissect the playoff coaching landscape, speculate on potential moves in the NFL, and welcome ESPN’s Jeff Saturday for expert playoff analysis. The conversation is candid, energetic, and peppered with the duo’s signature repartee.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Harbaugh Fired by the Ravens

(Begins ~00:46)

• Context:
  The Baltimore Ravens missed the playoffs following a missed game-winning field goal, ending the season 8-9. Harbaugh leaves after 18 seasons and a 2013 Super Bowl title.

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • "Even though it's still somewhat surprising...those numbers and the Super Bowl make him a Hall of Fame Coach to me, 18th all-time in wins." (01:30)
  • Criticizes Baltimore’s lack of playoff success with Lamar Jackson and blames poor offensive coordination:

    "They wasted not only Lamar when he was healthy, but they waste Henry, Derrick Henry, a Hall of Fame running back. Two years. Two years a long time in today's sports landscape" (01:51)

• Kornheiser’s Perspective:

  • Shocked by the decision:

    "I'm stunned by this. I mean, Steve Biscotti is not a quick trigger guy... To think that you got fired because your kicker missed a 44-yard field goal, that's hard for me." (03:21, 04:29)

  • Praises Harbaugh’s credentials, believes he’ll be a top candidate anywhere:

    "If John Harbaugh wants to work again, he can have an open job in 30 seconds. 30 seconds." (04:06)

• Hallmark Quotes:

  • Kornheiser: “None will be gone. None. So I look at this and I’m really taken aback.” (03:19)
  • Wilbon: "Hand the ball to Derek Henry a little more often and you might have won." (04:38)

2. Ole Miss Coaching Uncertainty Before Semifinal

(Begins ~04:42)

• Situation:
  Following coach departures, Ole Miss faces the semifinals with unclear leadership; Charlie Weiss Jr. remains offensive coordinator.

• Wilbon on the Real Headline:

  "...the headline are the kids, the players at Mississippi...who come into a meeting room every day and they look around, they don't know who's leading the meeting." (05:15)

  • Blames Lane Kiffin’s “selfishness”:

    “This started with Lane Kiffin...as he collects hundreds of thousands of dollars for wins that the kids he left are putting in his bank account.” (05:51)

• Kornheiser on Team Resilience:

  “Ole Miss kids clearly have something inside that says, we're better than this and we can continue to win...I’m rooting for an Indiana Ole Miss final because I think those are the two best stories.” (06:22)

3. Speculation: Kurt Signetti to the Raiders?

(Begins ~08:01)

• CBS Sports reports:
  There’s buzz that Indiana coach Kurt Signetti might jump to the Las Vegas Raiders, potentially bringing star QB Fernando Mendoza.

• Kornheiser’s Analysis:

  • Outlines Signetti’s career trajectory and ambition:

    “He does not grow roots in a certain place. He moves around...the coaching ladder ends with the NFL. It doesn't end with Indiana.” (08:39)

    • Sees appeal if Signetti believes in Mendoza:

      “If he truly believes in Mendoza and he takes this job...he has solved the toughest problem in football, which is the relationship between a head coach and a star quarterback.” (09:11)

• Wilbon’s Caution:

  “The Raiders...they’re broken...so many other places that need to be fixed first, it seems real dicey, real risky.” (10:01)

• Both:
  Warn against the franchise’s notorious instability under owner Mark Davis.

  • Kornheiser: “Mark Davis fires coaches all the time ... you can fire coaches but you never fire the owner.” (10:51)

4. NFL Playoff Analysis with Jeff Saturday

(Begins ~12:43)

• Buffalo Bills’ Playoff Vulnerability (13:00):

  • Saturday:

    “I think they're vulnerable...their team isn't as good...their defense...has not tightened down this year...Josh Allen looks banged up.” (13:00)

    • Emphasizes lack of team quality, not Allen’s effort.

• Bears vs. Packers – 3rd Playoff Meeting (14:21):

  • Saturday:

    “I don't know that there's either team has a significant advantage...the return of Jordan Love and Watson...we had them where we wanted them." (14:21)

    • Sees Packers slightly favored due to returning players but calls matchup close.

• 49ers vs. Eagles Showdown (15:31):

  • Saturday:

    “My favorite matchup of the weekend...Seattle got after them...if you're Shanahan and you're looking, you're like, yeah hey guys, like we...can't let...two running backs...just walk all over us.” (15:31)

    • Leans toward Eagles for home field and physical advantage.

• On Philip Rivers as Potential NFL Head Coach (16:44):

  • Saturday:

    "Boy, you better keep yourself at a high school and enjoy the heck out of it, man. Because it ain't just coaching, I can assure you...Be careful what you wish for. You down in Alabama living a good life with them 10 kids. Don't rush yourself out of that NFL." (16:44)

5. Quick Hits: NBA & College Football News

(Begins ~18:42)

• Mac McClung’s Dunk Contest Success (19:40):

  • Noted for winning three consecutive NBA All-Star dunk titles despite limited NBA play.

• Marcus Mariota Anniversary (20:26):

  • Recalling Mariota's bizarre self-touchdown pass and journeyman status.

• FCS Championship Game Recap (21:36):

  • Montana State's thrilling overtime victory after a late comeback.

• NFL Coaching Changes & Playoff Notes (22:36+):

  • Discussion of Cowboys firing DC Matt Eberflus, Commanders parting with Cliff Kingsbury, and Michigan QB Bryce Underwood staying under new coach.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kornheiser (on Harbaugh’s market value):

  “If John Harbaugh wants to work again, he can have an open job in 30 seconds. 30 seconds.” (04:06)

• Wilbon (on Lane Kiffin):

  “This started with Lane Kiffin. This started with him and a certain selfishness as he collects hundreds of thousands of dollars for wins...” (05:51)

• Kornheiser (on Raiders job):

  “You can fire coaches but you never fire the owner. That's the problem.” (10:51)

• Jeff Saturday (on Philip Rivers):

  “Boy, you better keep yourself at a high school and enjoy the heck out of it, man. Because it ain't...just coaching, I can assure you.” (16:44)

Suggested Timestamps for Quick Navigation

• Harbaugh Discussion: 00:46–04:42
• Ole Miss/Weiss/Kiffin: 04:42–08:01
• Signetti/Raiders Talk: 08:01–11:23
• Jeff Saturday NFL Playoff Analysis: 12:43–17:36
• NBA & Coaching Quick Hits: 18:42–24:07

Episode Tone

Conversational, animated, candid, and at times incredulous—the show balances hot takes on major firings, thoughtful sports insight, and light-hearted banter. The addition of Jeff Saturday’s analysis brings in-depth football breakdowns with a coach’s no-nonsense perspective.

This summary encapsulates the core content, highlights memorable moments, and provides clear reference points for the episode’s biggest discussions.