The Ravens made one of the boldest moves of the 2026 NFL offseason when they parted ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh. It was a decision that raised eyebrows across the league - Harbaugh is, after all, a Super Bowl winner and one of the most respected figures in the game.
But in the wake of a disappointing 2025 season, Baltimore decided it was time for a reset. Enter Jesse Minter, and with him, a fresh vision for the franchise.
Minter, taking the reins as a first-time head coach, isn’t going it alone. He’s surrounded himself with a staff that blends promising young minds with a few seasoned veterans - the kind of mix that can spark innovation while still keeping a team grounded in experience.
Analysts like Dan Orlovsky have already praised the group, with Orlovsky even calling it the best new staff assembled heading into 2026. That’s not just optimism - that’s recognition of a strategic rebuild.
What makes Minter’s staff so intriguing is the clear emphasis on forward-thinking football. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver headline a group that’s brimming with energy and fresh ideas.
It’s a clear pivot from the Ravens’ previous approach, and frankly, it’s one that feels necessary. Baltimore didn’t just need new voices - they needed a new philosophy.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh hasn’t wasted any time in his new role with the New York Giants. He’s brought in a staff loaded with experience - 252 combined years of it, to be exact.
That’s a hefty number, and for a Giants team that’s been searching for stability and identity, it could be just what they need. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is a rising star in his own right, and he’ll have a chance to shape a talented defense in New York.
But here’s the thing: what works for the Giants isn’t necessarily what the Ravens needed. Harbaugh’s hires - including familiar names like Matt Nagy and Greg Roman - suggest a coach leaning into what he knows.
That’s not a bad thing, especially for a team like New York that could benefit from a steady hand. But in Baltimore, where the team had stagnated and the message had grown stale, it was time to pivot.
And Harbaugh, for all his accomplishments, didn’t appear to be the one to lead that evolution.
Baltimore’s 2026 staff feels like a bet on the future - a calculated risk with a high ceiling. The organization is embracing a youth movement, not just in age but in mindset.
The modern NFL demands adaptability, creativity, and a willingness to evolve. With Minter and his staff, the Ravens are signaling that they’re ready to meet that challenge head-on.
That doesn’t mean Harbaugh won’t find success in New York. He’s a proven leader who knows how to build a culture and win games.
But in Baltimore, his time had run its course. The Ravens needed a new direction, and based on the hires they’ve made, they seem to have found it.
Time will tell how it all plays out. Coaching changes are rarely judged fairly in the moment - it takes seasons, sometimes longer, to see the full impact.
But for now, Baltimore’s offseason moves reflect a clear vision: build for the future, embrace innovation, and start a new chapter. And in that context, moving on from Harbaugh and handing the keys to Minter looks like the right call.