Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that he was surprised his brother, John, was let go from the Ravens on Tuesday after 18 seasons.

"Yeah. As were many," Harbaugh said.

But don't expect the brothers to team up in Southern California anytime soon.

"He'll be a head coach next year," Jim Harbaugh said. "We'll be playing against him in some form or fashion ... I hope that's in the NFC."

John Harbaugh ranks 12th for most wins by a head coach in NFL history with 193 and guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2012, a win that came against Jim when he coached the 49ers.

John Harbaugh was the second-longest active coach in the league behind Mike Tomlin, who is in his 19th season with the Steelers.

Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday had plenty of praise for his brother, whom he chatted with Tuesday.

"John Harbaugh is the best coach I know, best coach I've ever seen. You may say, well I'm his brother so I might be biased," he said.

He later added: "Just cool to see all of my brother's accomplishments and be recognized for that. As I told him, whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable."

And, if John Harbaugh does indeed land a head coaching gig in 2026, Jim Harbaugh knows exactly how he's going to approach it.

"I could tell he will be attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind, [that] next opportunity," Jim Harbaugh said. "There will be a team that will be a gift, to have the one of the best coaches ever, best coach I know."