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Former Ravens Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda long ago secured their legacies in franchise lore as two of the best to play for any team at their respective positions. When it comes to football’s highest individual honor, though, they will once again have to wait until next year. Though both were among this year’s 15 finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class, neither was selected for enshrinement Thursday night. It marks the second straight year that neither received the requisite minimum 40 out of 50 votes after they were both finalists in their first time on the ballot last year. Instead, quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig, the lone pick among seniors, coaches and contributors, were chosen to be enshrined. They will be inducted this August in Canton, Ohio. That neither Suggs nor Yanda got in for a second straight year was at least somewhat surprising. Of course, neither did former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick nor owner Robert Kraft, both of whom were on the ballot for the first time and whose achievements long ago were worthy of being immortalized. Suggs and Yanda have strong cases, too. Eighth all-time in total sacks, Suggs was also the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2003 Defensive Rookie of the Year, an All-Pro in 2011 and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection during his 17-year career as an outside linebacker. The seven men ahead of him in sacks — Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Julius Peppers, Chris Doleman, Michael Strahan and Jason Taylor — are also already in. Of that group, Taylor had just a half-sack more than Suggs across 15 seasons and was enshrined in his first year of eligibility in 2017. Four of the five players behind Suggs in career sacks — DeMarcus Ware, Richard Dent, John Randle, Jared Allen — are also in. In addition to getting to the quarterback, Suggs was a strong run defender, recorded 39 forced fumbles, made seven interceptions and won two Super Bowls, including one with Baltimore. In seven of his seasons, he also had at least 10 sacks. Yanda’s resume isn’t as dazzling — typical for an offensive lineman and especially a guard — but he had received strong support the past two years. He was twice voted first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl in eight of his final nine seasons in what was a 15-year career. He was also a unanimous choice for the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s and proved versatile, moving from right guard to left guard after hurting his lead shoulder during the 2016 season. Like Suggs, Yanda was a key member of the Ravens’ 2013 championship team. Guards are also not prevalent in the Hall, with only 17 enshrined. Alan Faneca, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, was the most recent to be inducted in 2021. Whether Suggs or Yanda gets the nod next year also remains to be seen, with quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Cam Newton and running back Adrian Peterson among those eligible in 2027. Suggs and Yanda will, however, be automatic modern era finalists as they were in the final seven this year but fell short of getting 80% of the vote. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens could play in NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro next season READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans confident in new coach Jesse Minter Joe Flacco on NFL physicality, penalties: ‘We signed up to get concussions’ What can the Ravens learn from this season’s Super Bowl teams? Recent mock drafts give Ravens additional offensive firepower in 1st round View the full article

Could the Ravens be headed to Rio de Janeiro later this year? The NFL announced Thursday that the Dallas Cowboys will play the league’s first regular-season game in the former capital city of Brazil in 2026. It marks the third straight year that the NFL will play in the country after games in Sao Paulo each of the past two seasons. It will be the Cowboys’ first international game as the home team and first international game overall since 2014, when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. Baltimore is also one of the teams on Dallas’ home schedule for next season, setting up the possibility for the Ravens’ first game in South America in the franchise’s 31-year history. The other teams the Cowboys are scheduled to play at home include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. But with the 49ers slated to play the Los Angeles Rams in Australia in 2026, they would not be in consideration for Brazil. Dallas will also play its three NFC East rivals, the Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, at home, though it’s rare for the NFL to pit divisional opponents as part of its International Series, with the 49ers and Rams an exception. The Eagles also just played in Brazil to open the 2024 season. Of the remaining opponents, the Ravens would be the most appealing given the significant popularity of quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson in Brazil and the matchup being a compelling opening weekend showdown. Though no date for the game has been announced, each of the league’s past two games in South America took place on the Friday of Week 1. If history holds, that would mean a Sept. 11 contest at Maracana Stadium, a historic 70,000-seat venue that was the site of the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals in soccer as well as the opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympics. “Introducing one of the league’s most iconic teams to the Maracanã Stadium marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide,” NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez said in a statement. “Bringing a regular-season game to Rio strengthens our connection to a vibrant and passionate football community and underscores our long-term commitment to the market.” Aside from the Cowboys, the Ravens, who will only play eight home games at recently renovated M&T Bank Stadium, are also slated to play a road game against the Atlanta Falcons, another team that has been designated to host an international game, though a location has yet to be announced. The Ravens have played just two international games previously, both in London. They lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 44-7, at Wembley Stadium in 2017 and beat the Tennessee Titans, 24-16, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2023. “Lamar and the growth internationally is something that we embrace fully,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said during last spring’s league meeting when asked about the potential for Baltimore to play more international games. Related Articles Former Ravens Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda fall short of 2026 Hall of Fame class READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans confident in new coach Jesse Minter Joe Flacco on NFL physicality, penalties: ‘We signed up to get concussions’ What can the Ravens learn from this season’s Super Bowl teams? Recent mock drafts give Ravens additional offensive firepower in 1st round The Cowboys, meanwhile, are no strangers to playing abroad, though most have taken place in the preseason with jaunts to Tokyo, Toronto, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones previously previously said that his preference was to play a regular-season game in Mexico City in 2026. Dallas was also a possibility to play the Rams in Melbourne, but Los Angeles protected that game for SoFi Stadium. There will be a record total nine international games in 2026. Other locales include Paris, Munich, Madrid and London, which will host three games. The NFL’s full schedule will be announced in May. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

We asked readers their confidence level in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter. The former Chargers defensive coordinator will be a first-time NFL head coach in 2026. Here are the results from our online poll: Very high — 36.9% (188 votes) High — 36.9% (188 votes) Somewhat high — 18.2% (55 votes) Low — 5% (15 votes) Very low — 3% (9 votes) Here’s what some fans have said about their confidence level in Baltimore’s new coach (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): He’ll only be as good as the team general manager Eric DeCosta provides him with. — Robert Moore I think fans will have to be patient with Jesse Minter as he, his coordinators, and coaches will have to grow into their positions. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, in particular, will have to fast track his development as he will call plays for an offense and quarterback with the most unique skill set in the league. But it helps that Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have a history, and a good one, with the organization. I am very confident Minter will consistently lead the Ravens into the playoffs. — Fran V. This looks like a very good hire by the Ravens’ organization. With that said, unless management and ownership get Lamar Jackson back in line, it won’t matter who the head coach of this team is no matter what John Harbaugh, DeCosta and even the owner has stated in the past, Lamar Jackson is a cancer in this locker room. Now even Minter is saying the right things by indicating that relationships take time to develop. This organization has a major problem with Lamar that everybody keeps avoiding and it better be dealt with urgency or Minter doesn’t have a chance. Harbaugh couldn’t be any happier that he got fired and away from this inner turmoil. — Bob Lancione It could not get higher! It’s the job he always dreamed of! He’s brilliant and a great listener and will and has proven himself over and over again. — Penny O’Connell Same as I had with Harbaugh, none. — Phil Hartman Confidence level is high. He has a vision, a plan I can see and is hiring staff strategically. — Peter Davis Great. He’s building a superior coaching staff. The Ravens are the only team in the AFC North that’s ready to move into the future. The Steelers went with an old school coach; no new wrinkles there. The Browns took the Ravens scraps; already been figured out and the Bengals stood still. I believe the Ravens will be the team to beat. — Jeff King Optimism? High. Confidence? Er … he’s a newbie HC who by all accounts is ready. I’m sure there will be a learning curve. — Will Hicklen ANYTHING IS AN IMPROVEMENT! — Scott Frank Pity is my thought. … He has been left with a mess. … Taking back power from Lamar won’t be easy and will take a long time before he can actually do his job. — Barbara Woolard Related Articles Joe Flacco on NFL physicality, penalties: ‘We signed up to get concussions’ What can the Ravens learn from this season’s Super Bowl teams? Recent mock drafts give Ravens additional offensive firepower in 1st round P.J. Volker had to choose between best friends in leaving Navy for Ravens Watch Episode 24 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law I don’t predict the NFL anymore. When the season started, the Ravens were the favorites, and now the Super Bowl is between New England and Seattle. Never saw that happening. — Kwaku Elliott Bennett The Ravens are going to be horrible for the next couple of years. — Frank Vincent I like the direction we’re going. It was time for a change. — Stephan Daskal Very high. — Chip Rosenberg The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

Joe Flacco didn’t explicitly use the “S” word. But in a 150-second clip from an interview he gave on Super Bowl 60’s Radio Row, he accused the NFL of going soft. “The guys that are coming into the league nowadays, they’d look at me like I’m crazy,” he told ESPN’s Kevin Clark. “Like, what do you mean you want receivers to get laid out over the middle and you want guys to be able to land on you? I’m like, yeah, guys, that’s football.” At 41, Flacco is the second-oldest quarterback in the NFL, behind only Aaron Rodgers. He played 11 years in Baltimore and won a Super Bowl alongside one of the most physical linebackers in league history, Ray Lewis. For the first two months of the season, Flacco shared a quarterback room in Cleveland with two rookies, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, then was traded to Cincinnati to back up the ultra-competitive Joe Burrow. “I don’t think anybody coming into the league these days is quite as battle-tested as guys that came into the league 15 years ago,” Flacco said. “I think our generation does benefit from, you know, dealing with a little bit of tougher time, just like the generation 20 years before me benefited over us.” It was part of an impassioned diatribe. At one point, he referred to CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head, as a “thing these days.” Flacco raised two fingers for air quotes. “But it’s football,” he said. “We signed up to play it.” He later said, “Listen, we signed up to get concussions. We signed up to get hurt. It is what it is. You might not like that, but that’s kind of what we did.” The crux of Flacco’s argument is that ticky-tack penalties can change the outcome of a game. Although he’s often a beneficiary, defenders shouldn’t be flagged 15 yards for slapping or landing on quarterbacks, he said. “It honestly annoys me because it affects games in a negative way at random times and they can call it or not call it,” Flacco said. “It needs to get out of the game.” Flacco went on to assert that tighter officiating on personal foul penalties has caused defenders to not play so aggressively for fear of ramifications. There were 25 roughing the passer penalties levied this past season, according to Spotrac, amounting to $334,134 in fines. That’s roughly half the amount of penalties and subsequent money owed in 2024. Kyle Van Noy was the only Raven charged this year. After Week 2, the NFL fined Van Noy $17,389 for landing his body weight on top of — you guessed it — Flacco. Van Noy, however, was not flagged in real time. In November, Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt was flagged (but not fined) for roughing the passer after burying Flacco. The old-school quarterback had the same thought process then as he does now: “That’s football.” The play flipped a third-and-8 at Cincinnati’s own 26-yard line to a first down close to midfield. Related Articles What can the Ravens learn from this season’s Super Bowl teams? Recent mock drafts give Ravens additional offensive firepower in 1st round P.J. Volker had to choose between best friends in leaving Navy for Ravens Watch Episode 24 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens’ Jesse Minter tested schemes on Madden. Now he’s an NFL head coach. Clark asked Flacco if any specific instances came to mind in which a player was penalized and Flacco benefited but thought, “Really? They threw a flag on that?” He didn’t have a specific example to share but let out an exasperated, “Yes.” During Flacco’s self-described rant, he also said that a good high school recruit can “kinda ride your way through college” knowing NFL teams will take a chance on potential. That wasn’t so prevalent when Flacco was drafted out of Delaware in 2008, he said. “I kinda came in as it was transitioning, so I still have that mindset,” he said. Penalties on what he deems “normal hits” have “changed the game a lot.” Some NFL fans on social media seemed to agree wholeheartedly. So did future Hall of Fame defensive end J.J. Watt and Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. Flacco knows the NFL isn’t likely to agree or make changes based on his Radio Row interview. But as a longtime fan and veteran at the position, he was feeling a bit nostalgic for the sport’s brutality this week. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

Prognostication is a natural — and often futile — tradition on the sports calendar. In August, many of the smart folks who brave those waters scanned the slate of 272 regular-season NFL games and agreed that the Seahawks and Patriots were likely fringe playoff contenders. Sportsbooks agreed, giving each team 25-to-1 odds to win its respective conference — tied for the fourth-longest odds of any team to make the Super Bowl over the past 20 years. The Ravens, many thought, had a clear shot at the Super Bowl. They held 6-1 odds of playing football in February. What did the Ravens get wrong? And what can they learn from the two teams on the doorstep of immortality? Let’s start here: the Seahawks and Patriots each enjoyed rapid overhauls that might serve as a sign of what’s possible in Baltimore with a first-year coach. New England hired Mike Vrabel 13 months ago. He filled out a staff teeming with knowledge and experience. Then, alongside front office decision-makers, he gutted half the roster from a four-win team and patched together a group of high-upside, castoff free agents who embraced a “Warrior” rally cry (and yes, their softer schedule helped). They won 14 regular-season games and survived against two top defenses in the playoffs. Seattle hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald in January 2024. In a matter of two years, he molded the NFL’s best defense and a top-three offense worthy of the NFC’s top seed. The Seahawks rediscovered their defensive roots and reaped career years from quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Like Baltimore’s Jesse Minter, Vrabel and Macdonald lean defensive expertise. A coach prioritizing that side of the football hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 2018, when then-Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s defensive masterclass held the Los Angeles Rams to a field goal. It’s happened three other times since 2008 — two of them were Belichick. Now, either Vrabel or Macdonald ending the drought should temper some hesitancies about the Ravens hiring a former defensive coordinator. There are more offensive head coaches than there are defensive ones. Plus, a coach who specializes on one side of the ball can only go as far as the coordinator managing the other side. See, Seattle’s Klint Kubiak, who was so good that the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to hire him as their next head coach. And New England’s Josh McDaniels has coached in 10 Super Bowls calling offensive plays for the Patriots. In other words, there’s an equal mountain of pressure on the shoulders of 29-year-old, first-time play-caller Declan Doyle to get the most out of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company. Another lesson: Front offices in Seattle and New England floated some cash in free agency. Related Articles Recent mock drafts give Ravens additional offensive firepower in 1st round P.J. Volker had to choose between best friends in leaving Navy for Ravens Watch Episode 24 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens’ Jesse Minter tested schemes on Madden. Now he’s an NFL head coach. Josh Tolentino: Ravens turned coaching search into competitive edge | COMMENTARY During last year’s free agency period, the Patriots doled out $364 million worth of contract value. A little less than one-third of that went to defensive tackle Milton Williams ($104 million). A not-so-insignificant chunk went to veteran wideout Stefon Diggs ($63.5 million). They upgraded at cornerback by giving $54 million to Carlton Davis III, and $43.5 million went to pass rusher Harold Landry III. The Patriots kept gambling and hitting on free agent deals that worked out more often than not. Seattle signed Sam Darnold for $100 million, accounting for just under half of their total free agency spending. The Seahawks replaced a veteran QB with another and it hit, while Geno Smith won three games with the Raiders. Elsewhere, Seattle spent $45 million on wide receiver Cooper Kupp and another $32.5 million for defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. As long as the Ravens can restructure Lamar Jackson’s projected $74.5 million cap each of the next two seasons, the front office should have some flexibility. If so, general manager Eric DeCosta promised to be more active in the free agent market. “We will participate in free agency,” he said, “and we will trade for players. “We haven’t traditionally done that. We’ve been more reserved when it comes to free agency. We like the amount of draft picks we have this year. We do have money to go out and re-sign guys — free agents that we have right now; some good players, certainly — but having more money would be helpful, for sure.” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald speaks after Seattle's win in the NFC championship game. The former Ravens defensive coordinator has built one of the league's top defenses in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez) If the Patriots were the ones sitting at a roulette table placing chips on numbers all over the board, the Seahawks’ free agency might be better explained as the bettor who put half their pile on red. By comparison, the Ravens pushed coins into a slot machine. New England spent more money in free agency than any other team in the NFL ($364 million), according to Spotrac. The Seahawks were one of four teams to cross the $200 million threshold. Scroll all the way down the page to find the Ravens, at No. 31, spending $30 million. The only team that spent less than Baltimore was the reigning champion Eagles. Perhaps the Ravens make a play for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo would be an instant upgrade on the offensive line. They should certainly be in the pass rusher market, too, possibly eyeing Chargers veteran Khalil Mack or Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. The list goes on. That conversation will build over the next month-plus. DeCosta sat for his year-end news conference and called 2025 a “very disappointing season.” Thus, the Ravens will watch Sunday night’s game from home like the rest of us. If they’re taking notes, perhaps next year they’ll be one of the final two teams standings. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

The Ravens have their coach and both coordinators. Jesse Minter will oversee the team and defense in 2026, and Declan Doyle (offensive coordinator) and Anthony Weaver (defensive coordinator) will help guide their respective units. So, what’s next for Baltimore as Minter puts the finishing touches on his coaching staff? Soon, the Ravens turn their focus to the NFL draft. Baltimore picks 14th in this year’s event, and it will spend the next few months narrowing its potential options in the seven-round draft. A few recent mock drafts suggest the Ravens could take an offensive skill position player in the opening round, rather than bolstering Minster’s defense. Here’s a look at how a few NFL draft experts predict the Ravens to pick in April: ESPN’s Matt Miller Miller has the Ravens picking a wide receiver in the first round, giving Baltimore Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. “The Ravens brought in defensive-minded Jesse Minter as their new coach, but that doesn’t lock Baltimore into a defender in Round 1,” Miller wrote. “This team lacks reliable options for Lamar Jackson outside of Zay Flowers — who has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons — and needs to diversify its passing attack. At 6-foot-3, Tyson would give Jackson the bigger-bodied target he needs. I’ve long been an advocate of expanding Jackson’s strike zone with bigger receivers as opposed to smaller, speedier targets.” Tyson started his career at Colorado before transferring to play for the Sun Devils. He eclipsed 2,000 career receiving yards over three seasons, and he has 22 career touchdown receptions. He hasn’t returned punts since 2022, but one of his four returns that season went 88 yards for a score. He’d give Jackson another playmaker on an offense that already includes Flowers and Derrick Henry, as well as Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews. Bucky Brooks, FOX Sports Brooks gives Baltimore its tight end of the future in this year’s draft in Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. The athletic freak will almost certainly go in the first round of the draft, but do the Ravens need a tight end? It’ll likely depend on what happens with Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. If either or both walk, Baltimore will need depth behind Andrews. Sadiq has high upside. “Sadiq is a mismatch creator who would team with Mark Andrews, giving the Ravens the flexibility to use multiple tight end formations that helped the former MVP thrive as a passer in previous seasons,” Brooks wrote. The 6-3 and 245-pound tight end runs like a wide receiver. He brought in 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, helping Oregon make the College Football Playoff and win a pair of playoff games. Related Articles P.J. Volker had to choose between best friends in leaving Navy for Ravens Watch Episode 24 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens’ Jesse Minter tested schemes on Madden. Now he’s an NFL head coach. Josh Tolentino: Ravens turned coaching search into competitive edge | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens make best of shallow DC candidate pool | COMMENTARY Lance Zierlein, NFL Network Not a skill player, but Zierlein gives the Ravens another offensive talent. He has Baltimore picking Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. “Proctor’s play was a bit inconsistent in 2025, but he’s still a mashing run blocker with the ability to slide inside to guard now and eventually man either tackle spot,” he wrote. Baltimore’s offensive line was mediocre in 2025, allowing 45 sacks. Proctor, 6-7 and 366 pounds, could immediately help at guard, a position of need. Perhaps the team’s first step to getting the offense back on track is fixing the line. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

P.J. Volker found himself in a very difficult position last week — having to choose between two of his best friends. Volker had to decide whether to join the staff of the Ravens, which are now led by a former college teammate and coaching colleague. Of course, the alternative was remaining as defensive coordinator at Navy under the man who has been the biggest influence on Volker’s coaching career. After much discussion with his wife Amanda and two daughters — Rosie and Ella — Volker elected to accept the position with the Ravens. He will join the staff of newly hired coach Jesse Minter, signing a contract on Monday to serve as safeties coach. “It was an incredibly difficult decision because of the affinity our family has for the Naval Academy and for Coach Newberry,” Volker said. “We sat down as a family and talked for a long time and really felt the stars aligned with this particular job at this particular time. We felt like this was something we really needed to do and go on a quest for a Super Bowl championship.” Two years ago, Volker turned down an opportunity to join Minter with the Los Angeles Chargers when Minter was hired as defensive coordinator by coach Jim Harbaugh. This opportunity was different because Volker’s family can remain in the Annapolis area and Volker’s two daughters — ages 10 and 9 — can stay at the same school. “I’ll have a longer commute, but we won’t have to uproot,” Volker said. Ultimately, Volker’s relationship with Minter was a critical factor. They first met as freshman football players at the Mount St. Joseph University, a Division III school in the Cincinnati suburbs. Minter was a wide receiver and Volker was an inside linebacker. They bonded over the course of four years and have been best friends ever since. As defensive coordinator at Indiana State, Minter hired Volker as linebackers coach. They both followed coach Trent Miles to Georgia State, ultimately coaching together for seven straight years. When Miles was fired and the entire staff was let go, Minter got hired as a defensive assistant with the Ravens, while Volker wound up working for Newberry when he was defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State. This is Minter’s first time as a head coach, and he called one of his best friends to help get the job done. However, saying yes to one friend meant saying goodbye to another. “It was really challenging because of the love and respect I have for both men,” Volker said. “It would be fair to say this is the only head coach I would leave Coach Newberry to join.” While reuniting with Minter was an important element, the fact it was the Baltimore Ravens was another. Volker followed the franchise closely during his seven-year tenure at Navy and was impressed by how well it has been run. “The Ravens are a premier organization in the NFL with an ultra-talented roster, great ownership and a wonderful fan base,” he said. “Obviously, now the team is being led by a spectacular head coach in Jesse Minter, for whom I have nothing but respect and admiration, confidence and trust.” Volker was out of work when he got hired by Newberry, with whom he had no prior relationship. He followed Newberry from Kennesaw State to Navy and was his top lieutenant. When Newberry got promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach, he elevated Volker as his replacement. Navy vs. Holy Cross FootballPaul W. Gillespie/Capital GazetteNavy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker, shown in 2023, had a successful stint with the Mids and was hesitant to leave for a new opportunity. His connection with Jesse Minter convinced him to leave Navy for a job with the Ravens. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff) “I am forever grateful for what Coach Newberry has done for my career. All he’s ever done is believe in me, encourage me and support me since Day 1,” Volker said. “I’m forever indebted to Coach New, who has been a great friend and true mentor. He has put me in positions to succeed and grow and taught me so much.” Newberry called a team meeting on Monday afternoon during which he addressed the players then allowed Volker to do so as well. The fourth-year head coach acknowledged having mixed emotions about losing Volker, which he described as a “tough blow.” “I’m excited for P.J. and his family. This is a unique opportunity that P.J. felt like he could not pass up. I don’t think he would have taken just any NFL job,” Newberry said. “On a personal level, P.J. is one of my very best friends. We’ve been together for 10 years so this is tough for me in that regard. It’s going to be tough to not have him just down the hall and seeing him every day.” Navy football has seen minimal staff turnover over the past 24 years with previous coaches Paul Johnson (2002 to 2007) and Ken Niumatalolo (2008-2022) rarely having assistants depart. Volker is the first member of the staff to leave voluntarily since Newberry took over in 2023. “I think P.J. is elite at what he does, so obviously it hurts professionally. He’s irreplaceable in terms of what he brings to the table in a lot of different ways — not just calling plays, but his energy and what he pours into these players and coaches,” Newberry said. What’s next for Navy at defensive coordinator? Now Newberry must begin the process of identifying a new defensive coordinator or assistant. Newberry did not rule out calling the defensive plays himself, saying “that is something on the table for sure.” It is also possible Newberry could promote one of the current defensive assistants to coordinator, as he did with Volker. Jerrick Hall holds the title of defensive running game coordinator, while Eric Lewis is the defensive passing game coordinator. Outside linebackers coach Ricky Brown is the special teams coordinator. If Newberry chooses to go outside the program to find a defensive coordinator, he could consider coaches that previously worked for him at Kennesaw State or Navy. Kevin Downing, who was Newberry’s original defensive line coach, is currently the associate head coach at Virginia. “It’s premature to comment on what I want to do. I’m taking time to really think through this and there are a lot of moving parts,” Newberry said. “I don’t have a timeline. I’m not in any kind of hurry. There is no reason to rush into anything.” While the coordinator may be gone, the rest of the Navy defensive staff remains intact and Newberry is grateful to have such a strong group of coaches. “I know this — we have a tremendous defensive staff in place. All the guys in that room are outstanding and many have been in this system for a long time, being together a long time,” Newberry said. “They work really well together and I don’t want to disrupt that chemistry, which is really important to me.” Ultimately, the defensive system Newberry installed when he was hired as Navy defensive coordinator in 2019 will remain in place. While the staff is always tweaking and evolving it, the “system is the system,” he said. Related Articles Navy women’s basketball senior Maren Louridas excels as the captain of captains Navy men’s basketball beats Loyola Maryland, 87-71, to continue strong start Former Navy two-sport standout Xavier Arline signs pro lacrosse contract Navy men’s lacrosse cancels season opener because of extreme cold Navy football snipe Eli Heidenreich invited to NFL scouting combine “There are a lot of great football coaches out there and there is a ton of interest in this job. Ultimately, it’s got to be the right person and the right fit for the Naval Academy and this program,” Newberry said of the next hire. Meanwhile, the Ravens announced that Anthony Weaver had been hired as defensive coordinator on the same day the news broke that Volker would be joining the staff. Volker said Monday night that he had not yet spoken to Weaver, but was looking forward to doing so. Volker was 36 years old when he joined the Navy football staff. He really had no idea what a service academy was all about and has come to greatly appreciate the mission. Helping teach and mold future officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps has been rewarding and humbling, he said. “It’s hard to articulate how much this Naval Academy experience has been for me and my family. It’s been an absolute honor and a blessing to coach here,” Volker said. “My guiding principles as coach were that I wanted to go somewhere that football was important and where I could make a difference in people’s lives. This place checked both boxes. I leave as a better man having been associated with all the great men and women of this institution.” Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz. View the full article

Episode 24 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. The hosts discuss the introductory news conference for new Ravens coach Jesse Minter and what’s next for Baltimore. Preston and Coleman were also joined by NFL agent Tony Agnone, who discusses the challenges of contract negotiations. You can watch the podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

On a makeshift set in Owings Mills, just a few years ago, the third coach in Ravens history unknowingly sat across from his eventual successor and interviewed him on the qualities that shape successful coaching. John Harbaugh occupied stage right, with a microphone fastened to his “Winning Football” T-shirt. At stage left was Jesse Minter in a Jordan Brand Michigan polo. Between them: a large insignia for The Harbaugh Coaching Academy. It was a prescient, 20-minute interview between two coaches who go back a long way. Minter, who coached in Baltimore from 2017-2020, was about 10 years old when his father, Rick, took the head coaching job at University of Cincinnati and retained Harbaugh on his staff as special teams coordinator. “I owe your dad my career for sure,” Harbaugh smiled. At one point, he called Rick “the foremost defensive coach in college football for a long time.” So one of his first questions for the younger Minter was how much of the football X’s and O’s did he learn while watching dad do it at a high level? “He’s the complete foundation of what I knew defensively,” Minter said. By junior high school, Minter was introduced to the intricacies of football and its accompanying rules. Back then, he couldn’t differentiate between Cover 2 and Cover 4 defenses. Then in high school and during his playing days at Mount St. Joseph University in Ohio, Minter took more of an interest in the sport’s schematic nuance. And he put it to practice. Although, maybe not in the obvious way. Minter would make note of a concept his dad was employing with the Bearcats then take it home and test out packages playing the Madden video game. “As crazy as it sounds, you start to say, ‘OK, I learned this from him, I’m gonna try this on the video game,’” said Minter, who will now call defensive plays for the Ravens. “Nowadays, [for] young people, that’s really an intro into the schematic side of football. Pick your coverages, pick your plays.” Minter and Harbaugh dug further into several topics, including the then-Michigan defensive coordinator’s career path and building a culture within a program. That last one, Minter said, “I think I learned [that] here as much as anywhere.” He waxed poetically about how sound football starts with coaches and players all being on the same page, be it through the language of the playbook or the flexibility of shared ideas. In the years since, he’s repeatedly credit those four years in Baltimore as being the equivalent of a football master’s program. In 2017, Minter joined a Ravens defensive staff led by Don “Wink” Martindale and he worked alongside Mike Macdonald, another rising star now in Seattle coaching for a Super Bowl. They rebuilt Baltimore’s defense by scrapping leftover language and building what proved to be a bruising group, at one point the best in football. Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Ravens turned coaching search into competitive edge | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens make best of shallow DC candidate pool | COMMENTARY Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator Ravens hiring Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as safeties coach Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator: source Minter went and did something similar in Ann Arbor, winning a national championship in 2023. Then again flipping the Chargers from a bottom-third defense to a top-third group. “We talk about our language,” Minter said, “and it’s every detail of how we want our guys to play defense. We want to have a very, very specific encyclopedia of words.” With Harbaugh, he spelled out the four pillars: block destruction, ball disruption, effort and angles to the ball and communication. In every Minter defensive meeting at Michigan, he dedicated the first five minutes to showing what the quartet looks, feels and sounds like. Or, conversely, examples that could use some refining. He saw that as a more beneficial use of their time than a bland install of blitz packages because “good teams and bad teams have called the same defenses” and yielded opposite results. Culture was a prominent talking point in the interview. Harbaugh called it a “big word,” that’s easy to say and tough to make real. The way Minter explained it, which offers some perspective into how he’ll steer the ship in Baltimore, is that players drive the culture and coaches ensure it doesn’t go off the rails. Togetherness is a sticking point for Minter. He used the word 11 times at his introductory news conference. It’s an obvious point of emphasis as Minter inherits a Ravens team that, in 2025, spoke frequently about their shortcomings being a result of disjointed plans – not doing their “1 of 11,” as they called it. That’s something Minter can’t refine playing Madden. But relationship building and culture molding has been key to his success in prior stops. On a video posted by the team account, Minter called it his secret weapon. Harbaugh said in the coaching academy interview, “Guys loved you” in Baltimore. The former Ravens coach began their sit-down flashing a toothy smile, introducing his eventual replacement as a “former Raven.” But, he said, “once a Raven, always a Raven” — a more literal line all these years later. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast . Ravens coach Jesse Minter, shown at his introductory news conference, used to play video games to test out defensive plays and schemes. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens interviewed 20 head coaching candidates this offseason. No other NFL team came close. The size of Baltimore’s search reflected owner Steve Bisciotti’s dynamic hiring approach: gather pertinent information first, then make one of the most important decisions in recent franchise history. The Ravens still possessed apparent urgency throughout, but they also understood the stakes. With a two-time NFL MVP quarterback still in his prime and a roster built to contend immediately, the Ravens treated the interview process as something to be studied and obsessed over. After all, Baltimore was widely viewed as the league’s top opening. General manager Eric DeCosta described the team’s process as his own two-week draft. Of the record-tying 10 teams with coaching openings, Baltimore conducted the league’s most expansive search, ultimately narrowing its focus to three finalists: Jesse Minter, new Bills coach Joe Brady and new Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. It opened the team’s brass to nearly two dozen respected football minds, each offering an external evaluation of the Ravens’ roster, schemes and blind spots that surfaced too often throughout a disappointing 2025 campaign. For a franchise coming off a season in which the defense strayed from its longtime standard, allowing too many chunk plays and struggling to close games, those conversations possess tremendous value moving forward. “[We had] the chance to talk to a lot of people and gather as much information as you can,” DeCosta said. “There is a great value to an organization to go through that process this way. It was time consuming. It [required work] from a lot of people. A lot of people that were very, very involved. We learned a lot, and we had a chance to canvas a wide net and talk to the very, very best people in the NFL.” Other NFL general managers might’ve preferred to concentrate solely on a new leader during an introductory news conference, but DeCosta acknowledged the value in the Ravens’ broader hiring practices. Before Buffalo tabbed Brady to replace Sean McDermott, the Ravens hosted the former offensive coordinator in Owings Mills. That gave Baltimore’s decision-makers a rare opportunity to receive a direct assessment from the opposing sideline on one of the most jarring games of the season. In Week 1, the Ravens witnessed a commanding fourth-quarter lead evaporate as Josh Allen and the Bills stormed back in an improbable comeback that left Baltimore stunned. Brady had coached against Baltimore’s defense through that epic collapse. His perspective was undoubtedly valuable. Other offensive coaches the Ravens interviewed included Mike McDaniel, Klint Kubiak, Kliff Kingsbury, Matt Nagy, Davis Webb and Nate Scheelhaase. Alongside Minter, the Ravens interviewed a deep bench of defensive gurus including Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, Jim Schwartz, Robert Saleh, Chris Shula, Anthony Campanile and Weaver. That depth helps explain how the Ravens were able to move quickly to secure Weaver as Minter’s next defensive coordinator on Monday afternoon. Weaver interviewed for five openings and emerged as a finalist with the Ravens, Steelers and Cardinals. By the end of the process, five of the 20 candidates Baltimore interviewed (Minter, Saleh, Kubiak, Brady and Kevin Stefanski) were hired or are expected to be hired across this cycle’s vacancies. Another three assistants were either promoted or received contract extensions. Baltimore’s dedicated approach followed the departure of John Harbaugh, the winningest coach in franchise history. Harbaugh delivered sustained success and stability over 18 seasons, but it became clear to owner Steve Bisciotti that change was necessary after two consecutive years of postseason regression, culminating in a 2025 season in which Baltimore missed the playoffs entirely despite a wide-open AFC field that did not include Patrick Mahomes. Across the AFC North, the Browns interviewed 10 candidates before settling on former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, while the Steelers interviewed nine before hiring Mike McCarthy. Both are fine hires. But Baltimore interviewed double the number of candidates and as a direct result, walked away with twice the amount of firsthand insight. Related Articles Ravens’ Jesse Minter tested schemes on Madden. Now he’s an NFL head coach. Mike Preston: Ravens make best of shallow DC candidate pool | COMMENTARY Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator Ravens hiring Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as safeties coach Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator: source Last offseason provided an even deeper reminder of how differently organizations approach these critical moments. The Cowboys interviewed just three external candidates after parting ways with McCarthy, then handed the job to Brian Schottenheimer. The Ravens spoke with nearly seven times that many coaches before making its decision. Quantity doesn’t always rule, but Bisciotti has great instincts and is the founder of Aerotek, the largest privately owned staffing and recruiting firm in the U.S. Bisciotti was not made publicly available during Minter’s introductory news conference last Thursday, instead sitting in the front row as the pomp and circumstance unfolded. But afterward, as former Baltimore Sun and ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley began a live standup outside the team’s headquarters, the Ravens’ owner briefly interjected, offering an unscripted glimpse into his thinking. When asked why he hired Minter, Bisciotti replied: “I didn’t. Eric did. I approved it. I can tell those two are going to work really well together. [Minter] stood out. We got some good candidates out there, but he stood out. So we’re really happy with him.” Said team president Sashi Brown: “We’re at an important time for our locker room. We know we have the talent to go out and pursue championships now. When we set out to find our new coach, we wanted to make sure that we were very serious about bringing a great leader, but also a great person to this organization, to our locker room, and we found that in Jesse Minter.” Now, Minter becomes the franchise’s fourth coach, empowered to establish his own leadership style while benefiting from the intel Baltimore gathered throughout the search. Of course, none of this guarantees success. But if Minter works as well as many inside the organization believe he’s capable of, the Ravens will have given themselves a familiar advantage inside the AFC North. While other franchises moved quickly or slowly with less direction to resolve their openings, Baltimore separated itself and invested in understanding the full landscape first. That’s easy to take for granted. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Josh appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

When new Ravens coach Jesse Minter declared last Thursday that he was going to call the defense, he unintentionally limited the type of talent that was available at defensive coordinator. The proven coaches like Cleveland’s Jim Schwartz were going to be unavailable because they wanted to put their signatures on the defense. The same can be said for former Ravens safety Jim Leonhard, who became the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator. Leonhard had previously served as the Denver Broncos assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator. So, basically, the Ravens were either going to hire a young assistant to absorb everything possible from Minter before potentially becoming a head coach, or select an older coach who no longer had head coaching ambitions. On Monday, the Ravens hired Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator, who can be best described as a “tweener.” The 45-year-old assistant isn’t as young as Minter, 42, but isn’t quite as old as Joe Cullen, 58, the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach who was one of the favorites to take the job here. “So grateful to coach Minter, [Ravens general manager] Eric DeCosta and [owner] Mr. [Steve] Bisciotti for this incredible opportunity,” Weaver said. “Baltimore holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to get to work and give the Flock a reason to Rock.” It’s an intriguing matchup, this Minter and Weaver combination. Usually, coordinators are allowed to select one or two position coaches, and it’s not known if Weaver will have that opportunity, but he will be more than just a “yes man.” That’s not his style. Weaver is his own man, and he showed that during his four seasons playing with the Ravens as a second-round selection out of Notre Dame in 2002. When the Ravens lost, a lot of the media went to Weaver because he was logical and precise. More importantly, he understands the defensive work ethic here in Baltimore having played for the Ravens until he signed as a free agent with Houston in 2006. In those days, the Ravens also had one of the better run defenses in the NFL anchored by Weaver, nose guard Kelly Gregg, middle linebackers Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and outside linebackers such as Adalius Thomas, Peter Boulware, Cornell Brown and Jarret Johnson. With that group, everyone had to hold their own and be held accountable, a word that is missing in the Ravens’ locker room. It is interesting, though, that Weaver returns to Baltimore because he was passed over twice for defensive coordinator jobs. Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh had an opportunity to hire Weaver two years ago in Baltimore, but passed on him as well as current New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Both were interviewed for the Giants’ open position before Harbaugh selected Wilson. The Ravens eventually hired Zach Orr, and that didn’t work out well, especially in 2025. The Ravens were ranked No. 30 in pass defense, allowing 247.9 yards per game, and No. 24 in total defense, giving up 354.5 yards a contest. As for sack specialists, the Ravens didn’t have one. Defensive end Tavius Robinson had 4 1/2 sacks and rookie outside linebacker Mike Green had 3 1/2. The bunch was extremely ordinary. It will be interesting to see how the past connections flow. The Chargers have some ideal pass rushers available in free agency in Khalil Mack and former Ravens edge Odafe Oweh. Will Weaver have much say in those possible deals? Related Articles Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator Ravens hiring Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as defensive assistant Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator: source READER POLL: What’s your confidence level in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter? Could Ravens be headed for an international game in 2026 season? The experience factor, though, should pay off well for the Ravens. Despite having worked for both Harbaugh brothers, younger brother Jim in Los Angeles and older brother John in Baltimore, Minter is a first-year head coach. Ravens new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, 29, has never called plays in a game despite working for Ben Johnson in Chicago and Sean Payton in Denver. The Ravens needed experience. Besides playing for seven years, Weaver has had coaching stints with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns as well as serving as the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2020. As for the last two seasons as the coordinator in Miami, no one can hold that against Weaver. Miami had been soft for years and its run defense was abysmal and finished ranked No. 27. The passing defense was No. 18, allowing 216.4 yards per game. Weaver, though, came up during some good times in Baltimore. He was first hired as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2021, and later promoted to assistant head coach in 2022. So, he knows about the work ethic in Baltimore and was with current Seattle coach Mike Macdonald when he was the coordinator in Baltimore. Right now, after watching the past two seasons, that has a lot of meaning in town. He appears to be a good fit, and hopefully will get a head coaching job soon. Overall, not bad for a “tweener.” Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens are hiring Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator. Weaver will work alongside new coach Jesse Minter, who will call the defensive plays. Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff has to say about the hiring of Weaver: Brian Wacker, reporter It seemed only a matter of time before Anthony Weaver landed back with the Ravens. A finalist for their head coaching job and a popular candidate this cycle, he brings a familiar and respected presence to fill in the gaps alongside first-year head coach and defensive play-caller Jesse Minter. Among Weaver’s responsibilities will be game planning, scouting and working with the defensive line. A former defensive end who is as charismatic as he is tough, he also knows how to command a room, so he should have no problem leading defensive meetings, something he has experience doing after two years as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator and one year in the same role with the Houston Texans. Though Weaver was passed over twice before under previous Ravens coach John Harbaugh, first for Mike Macdonald then for Zach Orr, Harbaugh, like everyone else in the building, had high praise for Weaver and viewed him as a potential head coach. Now, he’ll be the Yang to Minter’s Yin in trying to restore the identity and production of a once-proud and feared defense that had slipped significantly the past two seasons. Sam Cohn, reporter I’d be lying if I said my brain went to anything other than that one viral clip of Weaver when he was coaching in Miami, deadpanning, “All of our problems that we need to solve can be solved through violence.” Weaver was a popular name this coaching cycle who landed outside the final list of head coaching hires. He interviewed for multiple head jobs, including in Baltimore. After Minter took a swing on a 29-year-old first time play caller to manage the offense, this feels like a safe bet for the other coordinator role. Minter will call the plays defensively. So it makes sense he’d choose someone who he already had a connection to, who shares his vision and could articulate the Raven way. That’s Weaver. He overlapped with Minter in Baltimore during the late 2010s and at 45 years old, is older than both Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Baltimore’s defense lost its way in 2025. Perhaps Weaver can help fix that with football violence. Josh Tolentino, columnist Welcome back to Baltimore, Anthony Weaver. It’s a familiar phrase following last week’s greeting for Jesse Minter, and now Weaver rejoins the flock as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Weaver interviewed for five head coaching openings this cycle, and was one of three finalists in Baltimore. This is a clear floor-raising hire. Weaver brings deep familiarity with the organization and he will play a key role in helping a defense that needs straightening after the unit faltered in key moments over the past two seasons under former defensive play-caller Zach Orr. Weaver, 45, won’t call plays, a responsibility that belongs to first-year coach Jesse Minter, 42, but his influence will be felt in weekly game planning and maximizing the talent already on the roster with Baltimore devoting a healthy amount of resources toward the defense. The level of collaboration between Weaver and Minter looms especially large for a pass rush that slipped terribly this past season; Baltimore finished with just 30 sacks, third fewest in the NFL. Weaver was an in-house candidate to replace Mike Macdonald in 2024, but former coach John Harbaugh opted to promote Orr instead. With Harbaugh and Orr both gone and Weaver returning to the Castle, the Ravens appear hopeful that Weaver’s experience as a former Baltimore defensive end (2002-2005) and assistant coach (2021-2023) can help stabilize a group that lost its edge, while allowing Minter to set the vision and scheme from the top. Bennett Conlin, editor The move makes a ton of sense. Weaver is a longtime defensive assistant with a deep understand of Baltimore’s organization, and he’s likely going to be a head coach one day in the near future. He’ll immediately bring stability and experience to what’s looking like a star-studded defensive coaching staff. Related Articles Ravens hiring Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as defensive assistant Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator: source READER POLL: What’s your confidence level in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter? Could Ravens be headed for an international game in 2026 season? Baltimore Sun to launch ‘Early Birds’ podcast Feb. 12 on Orioles, Ravens Minter didn’t need someone to call plays, but Weaver has the chops to do so if Minter ever wants to delegate that task. Weaver is an ideal hire to help design game plans and develop players throughout the course of a season. After the Ravens struggled to rush the passer in 2025, they’re bringing in a coordinator with playing and coaching experience along Baltimore’s defensive front. The move checks a bunch of boxes as Minter looks to fix a talented but inconsistent defense in 2026. I love Minter’s coordinator hires, and his biggest future concern might be losing Declan Doyle and Weaver to head coaching opportunities. Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

New Ravens coach Jesse Minter continues to fill out his staff and he didn’t have to go very far for his latest hire. Navy defensive coordinator and linebackers coach P.J. Volker is expected to join Baltimore as a defensive assistant, a source with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The Athletic was first to report the news. That Volker, 36, is coming to the Ravens is also not surprising. The two were teammates at the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), coached together at Indiana State and Georgia State and have been close friends for years, with each in the other’s wedding party. Volker also previously turned down an opportunity to join the Los Angeles Chargers and Minter in February 2024 and had put together a solid resume as the Midshipmen’s defensive coordinator over the past three seasons. That included in 2025 when Navy finished 11-2 and with a 35-13 win over Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl to end the year ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls. Along the way, Navy’s defense held its final three opponents under 300 yards of total offense, something it hadn’t done since 2020. Defensive tackle Landon Robinson was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with 6 1/2 sacks in 11 games. Volker, of course, also has plenty of familiarity with Minter’s defensive philosophy. “He would stand up on Friday nights before the game when we’re meeting with the defense and talk about how he saw the game unfolding,” Volker said after Minter was hired earlier this month. “More times than not, it was spot on. “There’s no doubt in my mind he was destined to be a head coach in the NFL. He’s ready for this opportunity. I think everybody that’s been around him knew this was gonna happen, it was just a matter of when.” Volker also called Minter a “great listener.” Now they’ll get to work together once more. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator: source READER POLL: What’s your confidence level in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter? Could Ravens be headed for an international game in 2026 season? Baltimore Sun to launch ‘Early Birds’ podcast Feb. 12 on Orioles, Ravens View the full article

New Ravens coach Jesse Minter is hiring a familiar face to be his defensive coordinator. Ex-Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator and former Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver is coming back to Baltimore, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Weaver, 45, was a finalist for the Ravens’ head coaching job and returns to the city after two seasons running Miami’s defense. He was previously passed over twice for Baltimore’s defensive coordinator role under prior coach John Harbaugh, but brings plenty of experience and a voice that has long been respected on the field and in the building. Tough but charismatic, the former NFL defensive end spent four years with the Ravens as a player, three as an assistant and with Minter being a first-time head coach who will call the defensive plays Weaver’s traits should mesh well among a staff that has trended toward the younger side so far. Minter, who was a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 2017 through 2020, hasn’t previously worked directly with Weaver, their coaching careers in Baltimore missing each other by a year. Weaver replaces Zach Orr, whose two seasons in Baltimore were marked by inconsistencies and defensive lapses. This past season, the Ravens’ defense ranked 24th with 354.5 yards allowed per game. They also ranked 31st against the pass for the second straight year and only two teams had fewer sacks. Weaver’s defenses in Miami, meanwhile, were up and down. After finishing in the top 10 in yards and points allowed in 2024, the Dolphins ranked 22nd in total defense, allowing an average of 348.8 yards per game. That included a run defense that was 26th with 132.4 yards allowed per game. Still, those struggles were viewed at least in part because of larger symptomatic problems within a Dolphins team that struggled to a 7-10 mark. Weaver was also one of the more popular head coaching candidates this cycle, landing interviews with the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons and had gotten second interviews with the Cardinals, Ravens and Steelers. Weaver became available after Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was fired and replaced by Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Related Articles Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator Ravens hiring Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as defensive assistant READER POLL: What’s your confidence level in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter? Could Ravens be headed for an international game in 2026 season? Baltimore Sun to launch ‘Early Birds’ podcast Feb. 12 on Orioles, Ravens A seven-year NFL veteran as a player, Weaver joined Baltimore’s coaching staff in 2021 as the run game coordinator and defensive line coach after serving as the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2020. During his time in Baltimore, the defensive line was consistently among the league’s best, particularly against the run. A 2002 second-round draft pick by the Ravens out of Notre Dame, Weaver also played three seasons for the Texans before joining the coaching ranks in 2010 as a graduate assistant at Florida under coach Urban Meyer then as linebackers coach at North Texas in 2011. He then spent time as a defensive assistant with the New York Jets (2012), Buffalo Bills (2013) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15) before joining the Texans as their defensive line coach in 2016 and eventually being promoted to defensive coordinator. Though Minter, who was the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons, will call the plays for Baltimore, Weaver will be expected to help turn around a defense that often faltered and was one of the NFL’s worst this past season. He will also lead defensive meetings as well as assist with game planning and scouting, among other responsibilities. His hire is the latest as Minter continues to build his staff. Among the positions he has filled so far are Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to be his offensive coordinator, Dwayne Ledford from the Falcons as offensive line coach and Mike Mickens from Notre Dame as secondary coach/pass game coordinator. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens got their guy in Jesse Minter. Baltimore’s new coach was introduced last week and has begun filling out his staff, hiring Declan Doyle as his offensive coordinator and Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator. What is your confidence level in Minter? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article