After 18 seasons at the helm in Baltimore, the Ravens are officially turning the page. John Harbaugh, the head coach who brought the franchise its second Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLVII, is out following a rare sub-.500 finish at 8-9-their first losing season since 2021. In his place, the Ravens are going younger and leaning into defense, hiring Jesse Minter, the former Chargers defensive coordinator, to lead the team into a new era.
Minter isn’t just bringing a fresh face-he’s bringing a clear identity. Known for his aggressive, detail-oriented defensive schemes, Minter orchestrated a Chargers unit that finished fifth in the league last season, allowing just 285.2 yards per game. Compare that to the Ravens’ defense, which ranked 24th at 354.5 yards allowed, and it’s easy to see why Baltimore tapped him to take over.
And Minter isn’t planning to hand off the headset anytime soon.
“I do plan on calling the defense,” Minter said during his introductory press conference. “I think that’s a strength of mine. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m sitting here.”
That’s a notable shift for a franchise that’s grown accustomed to a more CEO-style head coach in Harbaugh, who delegated play-calling responsibilities to his coordinators. Minter is taking a more hands-on approach, especially on defense, but made it clear he intends to lead the entire roster, not just one unit.
“I feel I have a really good process to do what I need to do to be ready to call the game, but also have the ability to be the head coach and impact the entire roster,” Minter said. “It starts with the relationships with the people in the building, particularly the players. I think they’ll feel my competitiveness, they’ll feel my mentality every day.”
That mentality will be key as Minter begins shaping a team that still has sky-high expectations-especially with Lamar Jackson under center. But Minter’s first major challenge? Finding someone to run the offense.
With offensive coordinator Todd Monken departing to take the head coaching job in Cleveland, the Ravens are in the market for a new play-caller to pair with their franchise quarterback. And given the importance of maximizing Jackson’s unique skill set, this hire will be critical.
Two names have emerged as strong candidates: David Webb, the Denver Broncos’ pass game coordinator, and Kliff Kingsbury, the former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator. Webb helped Denver finish with the 10th-best offense in the league this season, averaging 342.6 yards per game, and played a key role in developing rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Kingsbury, meanwhile, worked with Jayden Daniels in Washington, where the Commanders ranked 22nd in total offense at 318.8 yards per game.
While neither option is a slam dunk, both bring experience working with young, mobile quarterbacks and could offer the kind of offensive creativity needed to complement Minter’s defensive focus. Whoever gets the nod will inherit one of the most dynamic players in the league in Jackson-and a team still built to compete now.
For Baltimore, this is more than just a coaching change. It’s a philosophical shift.
Minter is stepping in with a plan, a proven defensive track record, and a clear sense of how he wants to lead. But the success of this new era will hinge on more than just scheme-it’ll depend on how quickly the new staff can come together and how well they can elevate a roster that still has championship aspirations.
The Ravens are betting on fresh energy, a defensive identity, and a head coach ready to take the reins on his terms. Now, it’s time to see how that vision translates on the field.