The winds of change are blowing through Baltimore, and they’re carrying a new voice into the Ravens’ locker room. Jesse Minter is officially the man at the helm, stepping into the head coaching role after the franchise parted ways with longtime leader John Harbaugh. And while filling Harbaugh’s shoes is no small task - we’re talking about a coach who brought a Lombardi Trophy to Charm City and led the team for nearly two decades - Minter is already putting his stamp on the Ravens’ future.
One of the first steps in that process? Building his staff - and he’s wasted no time doing just that.
Baltimore is bringing in Patrick Kramer as part of its offensive coaching team. Kramer comes over after a five-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was part of a staff that helped shape one of the league’s more consistent ground games. But he’s not the only Atlanta transplant headed to Baltimore.
The Ravens also landed a big-name addition in Dwayne Ledford, who will serve as the team’s Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator. Ledford’s résumé speaks for itself - he was a driving force behind Atlanta’s top-tier rushing attack last season, a unit that consistently created lanes and kept defenses on their heels. His arrival signals a clear commitment to physicality and trench dominance, two pillars that have long been part of Baltimore’s DNA.
This overhaul comes on the heels of a brutal end to the 2025 season. The Ravens were a missed field goal away - literally - from punching their ticket to the playoffs.
A last-second loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers not only cost them the game, but also the AFC North crown and a postseason berth. That kind of heartbreak lingers, but it also fuels change.
And now, with Minter calling the shots, the Ravens are turning the page.
Minter brings a defensive pedigree with him, having most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers under Jim Harbaugh - yes, John’s brother. Before that, he was part of Michigan’s national championship-winning staff in 2023, helping guide the Wolverines to the top of the college football mountain. That background has shaped his vision for what Ravens football should look like.
“Our football identity - I would say - is physical, tough, relentless, and playing together,” Minter said. “When you play like a Raven - you play together.”
That “play like a Raven” mantra isn’t just a slogan in Baltimore - it’s a culture. And Minter seems intent on preserving that foundation while also evolving it to meet today’s NFL.
Of course, he’s not starting from scratch. The Ravens still have one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, and the roster remains loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. The challenge now is to harness that talent, instill a new identity, and get Baltimore back to the postseason - and beyond.
Minter’s hire also adds intrigue to an AFC North that’s undergoing a bit of a makeover. He’s one of three new head coaches in the division heading into 2026, joining Todd Monken in Cleveland and Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh. That means a fresh slate of rivalries is brewing, and the chess match between these new coaching minds will be one to watch.
For Ravens fans, the Harbaugh era will always be a defining chapter. But a new one is beginning - and with Minter assembling a staff built on toughness, experience, and a clear vision, Baltimore is setting the stage for what it hopes is another championship run.