The Baltimore Ravens have a quarterback controversy for the first time since Joe Flacco took over the starting job a decade ago. With rookie Lamar Jackson leading the Ravens to two consecutive wins, there’s a heated debate over who should get the starting job once Flacco is healthy.

Coach John Harbaugh hasn’t given any clues as to who his starting quarterback will be, but he did make it clear Flacco won’t automatically be getting his job back. When asked if he believed in the theory a starter shouldn’t lose his job because of injury, Harbaugh made it clear he wasn’t entertaining the old-fashioned notion at Monday’s press conference.

“So, we’re going to go back to junior high cliches now?”

Harbaugh continued: “We’ll do what gives us the best chance to win, period, end of conversation. Whatever gives us the best chance to win, that’s what we’re going to do.”

With Flacco finally returning to practice on Thursday, Harbaugh might have to answer that question soon. Though it’s not likely Flacco will start this week regardless because he still has to knock off some rust and get 100 percent back, there’s now a more firm deadline for the decision.

A lot will likely depend on how Jackson performs this week — if he indeed starts as expected. If we see another game with several turnovers or a big loss, it might be enough of an excuse to put Jackson back on the bench and return to Flacco for the game at Kansas City in Week 14. But if Jackson can have a more complete game as a passer and rusher or the team once again wins, Harbaugh might continue with the hot player.

Earlier in the season, it was reported Harbaugh was on the hot seat. If he’s still there now, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti might have made it a playoff-or-bust situation. That would give a little more credit to Harbaugh’s assertion that Baltimore will go with the player who gives them the best chance at winning — considering it could be his job on the line.