The NFL coaching carousel keeps spinning, and the Ravens are right in the thick of it.
After naming Jesse Minter their new head coach last week-the fourth in franchise history-Baltimore is now turning its attention to a critical hire: offensive coordinator. With Minter coming from the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens need someone who can take the reins on offense and, more importantly, sync with their two-time MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
That kind of hire isn’t just important-it’s foundational. Jackson is the engine of this team, and whoever steps in as OC will be tasked with maximizing his unique skill set while keeping the Ravens in the Super Bowl conversation.
But as with every offseason, the pool of candidates is in constant flux. A few names have already come off the board.
Joe Brady was promoted to head coach in Buffalo, while Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll accepted offensive coordinator jobs elsewhere. That’s tightened the field a bit, and with Denver parting ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, there’s speculation that quarterbacks coach Davis Webb could earn an internal promotion-unless he lands the head job in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Nathan Scheelhaase, who was reportedly a finalist for the Browns’ head coaching vacancy, is expected to stay with the Rams.
Still, the Ravens have options. Former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is available, and while he brings plenty of NFL play-calling experience, the Ravens will need to determine if his style meshes with Jackson’s dynamic skill set.
Another name in the mix is Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. While he doesn’t call plays for the Bears, he’s viewed as an up-and-coming offensive mind and has reportedly been requested for an interview.
And then there’s Tee Martin, Baltimore’s current quarterbacks coach. Martin has developed a strong rapport with Jackson and knows the system and culture already in place.
If the Ravens value continuity and chemistry, Martin could be a serious candidate. There’s also the possibility of looking toward the college ranks, where innovative offensive minds are always emerging.
We’ll likely hear more from Minter during his introductory press conference on Thursday, but all signs point to him calling the defense on game days. That makes sense, given the success he had leading the Chargers' defense.
But it also raises the stakes for the OC hire. This will be Minter’s first time as a head coach at any level, and while he brings a sharp defensive mind, managing the full scope of an NFL team is a different challenge altogether.
That’s why experience matters here. The Ravens are built to win now.
They’re not in a rebuilding phase-they’re in a reload-and-push-for-a-ring phase. And while every coach has to start somewhere, handing the offensive playbook to a first-time play-caller could be a risky move for a team with championship aspirations.
Baltimore has been down this road before. Just two years ago, former defensive coordinator Zach Orr was given play-calling duties for the first time, and the results weren’t what the Ravens had hoped for. The defense took a step back after Mike Macdonald’s departure, and even Macdonald had to work through some growing pains when he first took over the DC role in 2022-despite a year of college experience calling plays at Michigan.
So while Minter may very well grow into the role of a top-tier head coach, it’s fair to expect a few bumps along the way. That’s part of the process. But compounding that with an inexperienced offensive coordinator could be asking too much, too soon.
Rounding Out the Staff
While the OC search grabs headlines, Minter and the Ravens have been quietly building out the rest of the coaching staff-and there are already some intriguing additions.
One of the most well-regarded hires so far is Mike Mickens, who will serve as the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. Mickens comes in with strong credentials after a successful stint at Notre Dame, where he worked closely with All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton.
That familiarity could pay dividends in the secondary. There’s also a deeper connection-Mickens played at Cincinnati when Minter was a graduate assistant, and the two coached together at Indiana State back in 2012.
That kind of shared history can go a long way when building a cohesive staff.
On the offensive side, Baltimore has reportedly finalized a deal with offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, who spent the last four seasons in Atlanta. Ledford is widely respected around the league and is known for developing tough, technically sound O-lines. That’s a big win for a team that relies heavily on its ground game and needs to keep Jackson upright.
The Ravens are also retaining inside linebackers coach Tyler Santucci, who did solid work last season developing young talents like Teddye Buchanan and Trenton Simpson. Keeping continuity in that room makes sense, especially with the promise those players showed down the stretch.
What’s Next?
The Ravens are clearly being methodical with their offensive coordinator search-and for good reason. With Minter calling the defense and stepping into the head coaching spotlight for the first time, this OC hire becomes even more pivotal. It’s not just about X’s and O’s; it’s about leadership, vision, and the ability to bring out the best in Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore’s window to contend is wide open. But the next step-finding the right voice to lead the offense-will go a long way in determining just how far this team can go in 2026.