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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

The NFL announced on Monday its return to Spain with a multi-year agreement for regular-season games to be held at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium – home to Real Madrid Football Club – beginning this year. It’s one of eight International Series games already slated for next season. Other locales include one game each in Melbourne, where the Los Angeles Rams will be a host team; Paris, where the New Orleans Saints will be a host team; Rio de Janeiro; and Munich, with three games scheduled for London. Whether the Ravens will be one of the teams to play an international game has still yet to be announced. But with nine road games, including one against the Atlanta Falcons, who have already been designated as a host team for an international game, there is at least a chance Baltimore could be tapped. The reasons range from quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson being one of the most popular players in the league to the fact that the Ravens last year were awarded international marketing rights to the United Kingdom as part of the league’s Global Markets Program. “We have talked to the league,” team President Sashi Brown said during last year’s owners meetings. “We also know there’s a large demand for the Ravens, generally, and Lamar and the growth internationally is something that we embrace fully.” The last time the Ravens played overseas was in 2023, when the Tennessee Titans were a host team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Baltimore won, 24-16, on the strength of six Justin Tucker field goals. That marked just the second international game for the Ravens, who also played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in 2017. The Jaguars won in a rout, 44-7. With Baltimore only playing eight games at newly renovated M&T Bank Stadium next season, it’s also unlikely they would lose one of those dates as a host team for an international game, meaning that one of its away opponents would almost certainly be a host team. Related Articles Baltimore Sun to launch ‘Early Birds’ podcast Feb. 12 on Orioles, Ravens Josh Tolentino: Ravens don’t play it safe with OC Declan Doyle. That’s admirable. | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike says ‘good news,’ but injury status still unclear Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Declan Doyle as new offensive coordinator Ravens hiring Bears’ Declan Doyle, 29, as offensive coordinator The Ravens’ road opponents for 2026 include the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. They will also have their usual AFC North road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, though it’s rare for the league to have division foes play outside the United States given the high-stakes (and high-revenue) nature of those contests. Baltimore’s U.K. marketing rights deal also doesn’t necessarily guarantee a trip to London for 2026. Although there’s a long-established established U.K. Ravens fan group, the team has similar ones all over, from Germany to Spain to Mexico to Australia, among other corners of the globe. NFL Network also averaged 6.2 million viewers, per Nielsen, across six international games this past season, representing a 32% jump from 2024 to the highest average to date. Put another way, the league will only continue to expand its global footprint. 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

To quote Orioles play-by-play voice Kevin Brown, quoting Samuel L. Jackson, “hold on to your butts” — The Baltimore Sun sports staff is starting a podcast. We’re calling it “Early Birds.” Because jokes are funnier when you explain them: It’s a play on The Sun and the Ravens and the Orioles and the fact that you (the listener) will wake up twice a week with a new episode at your fingertips. Orioles beat reporter Matt Weyrich will host the show alongside Ravens reporter Sam Cohn and columnist Josh Tolentino, with new episodes posting Mondays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 12 to kick off spring training. The trio will give Baltimore sports fans an insider perspective on their favorite teams with spirited commentary and an occasional joke at the Yankees’ expense. This is a busy time in Baltimore sports. The Orioles made a splash in free agency. The Ravens have a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades. Both pro teams in town underperformed in 2025 and enter 2026 wearing rally caps. Let’s talk about it. “Early Birds” will offer exclusive access inside the clubhouse and locker room from reporters who are on the ground for every game, practice and press conference. Episodes will feature interviews with players and coaches, breakdowns of the biggest moments and reactions to breaking news in real time. The podcast will be available in video and audio formats on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow along @SunEarlyBirds on all social media platforms. This is a new venture. So, if you have feedback or if there’s something you want to hear us chat about, please reach out! Our email is earlybirdspod@baltsun.com. About the hosts Matt Weyrich has covered the Orioles and major sporting events in the region since January 2024. The Northern Virginia native previously covered the Washington Nationals and Capitals for NBC Sports Washington and Monumental Sports Network, respectively, after graduating from James Madison University in 2019. Sam Cohn covers the Ravens and Orioles while chasing distinctive feature stories around Maryland. Also reporting on the University of Maryland and the Olympics, he joined The Sun in 2023 as a Harford County High School sports reporter. If he’s not at a game, he’s probably at a coffee shop. Sam grew up in Massachusetts, graduated from Temple University and came to Baltimore from The Philadelphia Inquirer. Josh Tolentino is a sports columnist for The Baltimore Sun. Josh covered the Philadelphia Eagles for The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Dallas Cowboys for Advance Local. He previously covered the NFL and MLB for The Athletic, and also worked at The Kansas City Star and Chicago Sun-Times. View the full article

The Ravens could have played it safe. After hiring new coach Jesse Minter, Baltimore could have prioritized experience and proven play-calling at offensive coordinator. The Ravens could have dipped back into their coaching candidate pool and found their next offensive leader. They did not. Instead, they hired Declan Doyle, a first-time NFL play-caller the same age, 29, as quarterback Lamar Jackson, and placed the future of their offense and much of Jackson’s prime in Doyle’s hands. A source with direct knowledge confirmed Friday evening to The Baltimore Sun that the Ravens are hiring Doyle to join Minter’s staff as offensive coordinator. These consecutive hires reveal the franchise’s posture at a critical moment. With Doyle joining the flock, consider this a huge bet on a recent youth movement in Baltimore and that hyper-modern offensive thinking and projection can unlock more consistency from a unit that too often stalled despite its talent. The Ravens have proven to be an explosive bunch, but untimely mistakes have drowned Baltimore like a backpack full of bricks in the deep end. Doyle inherits an offense with no shortage of high-end options. Jackson remains the most important centerpiece, joined by running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Zay Flowers. Doyle also boasts an existing relationship with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, a pending free agent, thanks to their Iowa roots. Doyle’s challenge is to turn that collection of offensive star power into a group that is more reliable, especially in moments that demand precision and timely execution. During Minter’s introductory news conference Thursday, he noted how he wants the Ravens to be at their best “late in the season,” a direct acknowledgement of his predecessor John Harbaugh’s failures from the past two years. The Ravens are hoping Doyle can bring some of that coaching juice he enjoyed in Chicago. The Bears, coming off a commendable run to the NFC divisional round, finished the 2025 season ranked ninth in points per game and sixth in total offense. Meanwhile, the playoff-less Ravens finished 16th in total offense. Although Doyle did not call plays, he worked extensively in game planning and quarterback development under coach Ben Johnson, including close collaboration with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams impressively topped 225 passing yards in 10 games this past season. Jackson reached that mark just twice. Yep. Just twice. That contrast in offensive consistency extends beyond yardage. Despite logging 441 more snaps across four additional starts than Jackson, Williams was sacked just 24 times. Jackson was taken down 36 times, marking the second-highest sack total of his eight-year career. For Doyle, reducing unnecessary exposure while preserving Jackson’s creativity will be one of the most delicate and important balances to strike. The differences were just as stark among the pass catchers. In Chicago, the Bears spread production evenly across the offense, with four players finishing with more than 650 receiving yards. Baltimore never came close to that balance. Flowers was the only Ravens pass catcher to eclipse 425 yards. Flowers and Andrews also were the only two Ravens to record more than 30 receptions all season, while the Bears had seven players reach that mark. Related Articles Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike says ‘good news,’ but injury status still unclear Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Declan Doyle as new offensive coordinator Ravens hiring Bears’ Declan Doyle, 29, as offensive coordinator Ex-Ravens QB Joe Flacco makes Pro Bowl for 1st time in his 18-year career How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? Expanding involvement and creating dependable options beyond just Flowers will be essential if the Ravens want to create a more diverse and sustainable passing attack. Nowhere is that need more urgent than in the red zone. Baltimore regressed sharply inside the 20 last season, finishing 27th in red zone touchdown percentage. As for ball security, the Ravens’ skill players had 20 fumbles compared with Chicago’s 13. Can Doyle right the offensive ship and get Jackson back to MVP form? Sure, he’s the NFL’s youngest offensive coordinator, but Doyle is at least arriving with reinforcements. Minter’s offensive staff is expected to include Dwayne Ledford, who is reportedly being hired away from Atlanta. Ledford, 49, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top offensive line coaches and run game coordinators. His presence should provide some balance and grounding for a young coordinator and first-time play-caller who inherits an imposing force in Henry. Additionally, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles requested permission to interview Doyle for their previous offensive coordinator vacancy before he withdrew his name from consideration. It’s a nod to Doyle’s rise among the coaching ranks. Doyle also brings valuable seasoning from his time working under Sean Payton, first as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints and later as the Denver Broncos’ tight ends coach. Doyle’s five combined seasons under Payton offered him exposure to quarterback-centric systems and Payton’s known ability to evolve his offense. Not a bad mentor to have in your back pocket as Doyle takes on the biggest challenge in his career. Pairing a first-time coach with a first-time play-caller is by no means a conservative path. It’s an admirable move with plenty of risk. And for an offense that’s struggled to stay afloat, the Ravens are counting on Doyle to provide the lift. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

For the first time in months, Ravens injured defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike has spoken. “Good news,” he posted on X on Friday afternoon. What it means for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, however, is still not entirely clear. Madubuike suffered a season-ending neck injury in a Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns. “A lot of that is things he needs to address with you guys in his time,” then-coach John Harbaugh said in late September when asked if he was worried it could be career threatening. “I really can’t speak for him, wouldn’t want to. Those are questions that would be best answered by him going forward.” Whether Madubuike’s post means he will be able to return for next season, or if it even pertains to the injury, is unknown. The sixth-year former third-round pick did not immediately respond to messages for comment, nor did his agent. General manager Eric DeCosta when asked earlier this month at the team’s season-ending news conference about the status of Maduibuike also did not shed further light on the situation. “I can’t really discuss that, obviously,” he said. “I will say, not having Nnamdi this year was a horrible situation for our team. I think it affected us in different ways — in many ways. He is a great player, a great person, a special person. “Still working through a lot of his different ideas and things [so] that we can hopefully get more and more information about his situation. But more than that, I think just — I couldn’t talk about the specifics of him and his situation.” Should Madubuike be able to return next season, that would be a big boost, both for a defense that struggled significantly this past season and for new coach Jesse Minter. Baltimore ranked 24th in yards per game (354.5), 28th in pass rush win rate (30%), per ESPN analytics and its 30 sacks tied for the third-fewest in the NFL. Having Madubuike back would surely help. In 2023, his 13 sacks led all interior defensive linemen. He followed that with 6 1/2 sacks in 2024 and had 2 through two games in 2025. His return would also add some much needed depth up front alongside the ascending Travis Jones and veteran John Jenkins, each of whom Baltimore signed to extensions during the season. Madubuike also signed a four-year, $98 million extension in 2024. But whether he will be still remains a mystery for now. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Instant analysis: Ravens hiring Declan Doyle as new offensive coordinator Ravens hiring Bears’ Declan Doyle, 29, as offensive coordinator Ex-Ravens QB Joe Flacco makes Pro Bowl for 1st time in his 18-year career How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command View the full article

The Ravens are hiring Declan Doyle to be their next offensive coordinator. The 29-year-old spent the 2025 season as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator, but he wasn’t the team’s play-caller. He’ll join Baltimore and call plays for quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2026, taking over the job previously held by new Browns coach Todd Monken. Here’s what The Baltimore Sun’s sports staff has to say about the addition to Jesse Minter’s inaugural coaching staff: Brian Wacker, reporter The youth movement is on in Baltimore. First, it was 42-year-old Jesse Minter, who is a first-time head coach and checks in five years younger than what was the average age of NFL head coaches at the start of the 2025 season. Now, here comes 29-year-old Declan Doyle, the youngest offensive coordinator in the NFL. He had the same role with the Chicago Bears, but was never going to be calling plays as long as head coach Ben Johnson is there. Doyle is also the same age as Lamar Jackson, so the Ravens’ newest play-caller should have no problem connecting with the quarterback, something that Minter made a point to say is an important characteristic for his assistants as he puts together a staff. In addition to Doyle’s work with helping transform Chicago’s Caleb Williams into a nearly 4,000-yard passer with 27 touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season, he also worked under Sean Payton both in Denver and with the New Orleans Saints. That’s a pretty good tree to come from in terms of offense, particularly for the first-time play-caller who also has ties to the University of Iowa. Now it will be up to Doyle to help deliver on Minter’s goal of elevating Jackson to the “best version of himself” while also keeping him on schedule and taking some of the pressure to do everything off the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Sam Cohn, reporter It’s a bit surprising that Minter’s offensive coordinator hire — the person responsible for maximizing Lamar Jackson and looking after what was once the most potent offense in football before backsliding in 2025 — would be someone who didn’t call plays at their previous stop. Doyle, 29, is the youngest OC in the league and has just seven years of NFL coaching experience. Ben Johnson called plays in Chicago, but that’s not a bad coach to learn from. For Minter, that clearly wasn’t disqualifying with this youth-movement hire. Doyle still played a major role in resurrecting the Bears’ offense from the bottom of the league to near the top. He helped Caleb Williams enjoy a breakout Year 2. And Minter made it clear that he was looking for both “schematic expertise” and a “relationship builder.” It’s just funny that the 29-year-old Doyle and Jackson are the same age. Josh Tolentino, columnist Jesse Minter hinted he was in the final stages of hiring his coordinators Thursday during his introductory news conference. Just over 24 hours later, Minter and the Ravens made a splash by bringing in 29-year-old offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Doyle will be a first-time NFL play-caller, a reality the Ravens clearly embraced as they reshaped their staff around Minter. His age stands out as the youngest coordinator in the league; he’s the same age as franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. After overseeing second-year quarterback Caleb Williams in Chicago, Doyle is now tasked with helping a two-time NFL MVP return to his dominant form. Doyle worked closely in game planning and player development under Bears coach Ben Johnson, and he also boasts five years of experience working underneath Sean Payton in New Orleans and Denver. During his time with the Saints, Doyle also overlapped with current Lions coach Dan Campbell. Notably, Baltimore wasn’t the only team after Doyle’s services. The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles requested permission to interview him for their previous offensive coordinator vacancy before Doyle withdrew his name this week from consideration, signaling that he was selective, and that the Ravens were not alone in viewing him as a rising offensive mind. Doyle arrives in Baltimore already with the backing of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, an important relationship that could play a significant role in Linderbaum signing a contract extension this offseason with the Ravens. Linderbaum, an Iowa native like Doyle, attended the University of Iowa, where Doyle’s father Chris was a longtime strength and conditioning coach. That type of support should help in a locker room that just said goodbye to 59-year-old Todd Monken. C.J. Doon, editor On the surface, this is an exciting hire for Baltimore given the unknown possibilities. At just 29 years old, Doyle has his whole career ahead of him and provides a little more juice than a retread coordinator such as Kliff Kingsbury. But that’s also what makes this move a little worrisome. All we have to learn from is Doyle’s experience in Chicago as the OC under Ben Johnson, who is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the game. How much credit does Doyle deserve for his work with Caleb Williams in helping Chicago become an NFC contender this past season? The Iowa native is now stepping into a bright spotlight as the play-caller for Lamar Jackson. Fans will expect immediate results from an offense that has been near the top of league when Jackson is healthy. How will Doyle handle that kind of pressure? New coach Jesse Minter deserves credit for trusting in a young assistant for such a big role. We’ll see if it pays off. Related Articles Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike says ‘good news,’ but injury status still unclear Ravens hiring Bears’ Declan Doyle, 29, as offensive coordinator Ex-Ravens QB Joe Flacco makes Pro Bowl for 1st time in his 18-year career How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command Bennett Conlin, editor I like the Ravens’ thought process of hiring a rising star with experience working under Sean Payton and Ben Johnson. While he’s yet to call plays, Doyle is highly regarded by both Payton and Johnson, and he helped design game plans for a much-improved Chicago offense in 2025. There’s no doubting his schematic background, but my No. 1 concern is how he’ll lead a unit with so much star power. It’s one thing to call plays, but it’s another to command respect from Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Ronnie Stanley. If he can get the stars on board with his coaching philosophy, the sky is the limit for Baltimore’s offense in 2026 and beyond. But if there are any cracks in the relationship — like there seemed to be with Jackson and Monken in 2025 — it’ll handicap the Ravens’ ceiling. Doyle faces a lofty challenge in trying to take an offense from good to great, especially in postseason play. Coaches often view challenges as opportunities, though. For a young coach looking to make his name in the NFL, there are few better opportunities than leading the Ravens’ offense. Can Doyle help lead Baltimore and Jackson to a Super Bowl? That’s going to be the expectation from fans and ownership in the coming seasons. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

New Ravens coach Jesse Minter is hiring Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Doyle replaces Todd Monken, whom previous coach John Harbaugh had hired in 2023 and is now the coach of the Cleveland Browns. Next to Minter, the position is perhaps the most important — and scrutinized — on the coaching staff. Doyle will also have plenty of talent to work with, from quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson to running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Zay Flowers, both of whom were Pro Bowl selections in 2025, among others. Doyle, 29, is viewed as another rising young assistant in NFL circles. He’s the youngest offensive coordinator in the league. Though he was the Bears’ offensive coordinator this past season, he did not call the plays under first-year coach Ben Johnson. Doyle helped transform quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears into a potent offense after spending two years as the Denver Broncos’ tight end coach. Before that, he spent four years as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton. In replacing Monken, he’ll also look to revive an offense that was at times historically great. In 2024, the Ravens became the first team to pass for at least 4,000 yards and rush for 3,000 in the same season. Their 424.9 yards per game were tops in the league and their 30.5 points per game ranked third that year. But the offense took a step back in 2025 while Jackson missed four games because of injuries. Though Baltimore was second in the league in rushing, the Ravens ranked 15th in yards (332.2) and 10th in scoring (24.9). They also were one of the worst teams at scoring touchdowns from the red zone after leading the league in 2024. Now it will be up to Doyle to turn that around. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ Jesse Minter will call the defense. What about the offense? | COMMENTARY Some Ravens players were ‘very helpful’ in choosing Jesse Minter as coach Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY View the full article

After one of the worst statistical seasons of his 18-year NFL career and a 2-8 record as a starter, Joe Flacco is also a Pro Bowl selection for the first time. Wait, what? Yes, the 41-year-old former Ravens quarterback was named an AFC Pro Bowl participant Friday as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. With several AFC quarterbacks declining to participate in this year’s Pro Bowl Games (Lamar Jackson was named an alternate in December), it opened the door for Flacco to play in Tuesday’s event. Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders also made the event this week as a late addition despite a mediocre 2025 campaign that included more interceptions (10) than passing touchdowns (seven). Flacco, who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory during the 2012-13 season, started 10 games in 2025 for the Browns and Bengals. He passed for 2,479 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His QBR of 41.1 is the second-lowest of his career, with only his 2022 season with the Jets (36.1) being worse. While his numbers weren’t great, Flacco faced adverse situations this fall. His opening stint with the Browns came with a dysfunctional offense that ultimately led to the firing of coach Kevin Stefanski. Former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken will replace Stefanski in 2026, as the AFC North franchise seeks stability and offensive improvement. The Browns traded Flacco within the division after Flacco started four games for them. The Bengals made the move after Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury. In Cincinnati, Flacco was tasked with filling in for the Bengals’ superstar on short notice. He had minimal time to learn the Bengals’ playbook, but still threw for over 300 yards on two separate occasions, including a league-high 470-yard performance against Chicago. Cincinnati scored 30 or more points in three of Flacco’s six starts, but only went 1-2 in those games as the Bengals’ defense was one of the NFL’s worst. Flacco enters the 2026 offseason as a free agent. He said on a recent episode of the BMore Football Podcast that he still loves the game and anticipates playing in 2026. He’ll likely land somewhere as a veteran backup or a possible starting option for a quarterback-needy team. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. Related Articles How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ Jesse Minter will call the defense. What about the offense? | COMMENTARY Some Ravens players were ‘very helpful’ in choosing Jesse Minter as coach Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY View the full article

On Thursday, the Ravens formally introduced new head coach Jesse Minter. Among those in attendance in Owings Mills were the usual throng of family members, front office executives, a gaggle of staff and roughly two dozen former and current players. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson was not one of them. Jackson, of course, was hardly alone. Only a handful of current players were in the audience, with defensive tackle Travis Jones the most prominent. As another example, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, the highest paid player at his position in the NFL, and Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith were also among those absent. It is, after all, the offseason, Jackson prefers to retreat to his home in South Florida this time of year and things ended earlier than expected and in frustratingly familiar fashion for the Ravens, who finished 8-9 to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021. That, and more importantly recent postseason futility, led to John Harbaugh’s firing, which led to Minter’s hiring. While Jackson was nowhere to be seen on Thursday, Minter did say, however, that he has already had “multiple” conversations with the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player in the week since he has been hired. The 42-year-old first-time head coach and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator praised for his ability to connect with people also said that he is interested in helping Jackson “become the best version of himself, creating a team identity that allows him to thrive, which he’s already proven to be one of the best players in the National Football League.” “It’s been great to get to know him,” Minter said. “I think relationships take time. And so, you don’t become the head coach of the Ravens and expect to have a deep relationship with anybody. Those take time. We’ve been working towards that already. We’ve had wonderful conversations, look forward to many, many more.” How those conversations manifest to results on the field will play out in the months ahead and will also largely hinge on who Minter hires as his offensive coordinator. Over the past three years, Todd Monken held the job before Harbaugh was fired and Monken went on to become the Cleveland Browns coach. During their time together, Jackson won a second NFL MVP Award after the 2023 season and a year later posted career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41). But this past season, things seemed to hit a wall. Jackson suffered myriad injuries, including to his hamstring, knee, ankle and toe, and missed four games. He also asked that certain quarterback run plays not be part of the game plan, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, and had in most ways the worst year of his career. Questions percolated about the relationship between the quarterback, Harbaugh and Monken. Though the latter two said that they had no issues with Jackson, and Bisciotti said that Jackson told him he had no problems with either, it was clear a schism had developed. Ravens coach Jesse Minter was greeted by past and present Baltimore players during his introduction Thursday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Things were only exacerbated by the fact that over Jackson’s eight seasons, Baltimore has won just three playoff games and never advanced beyond the AFC championship game. He, like the team around him, has often regressed when the stakes have been at their highest as well, with 10 touchdown passes alongside 11 turnovers in eight games. Simply put, as one source said of the regime change, “it was time.” One of Minter’s biggest tasks, then, will be to keep Jackson engaged off the field and on schedule on it, have him get the ball out quickly and utilize the dynamic talents that have propelled him to becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks while also improving exponentially as a passer. Brilliant as he is at freelancing, it’s also tough to be consistent when doing so. Put another way, the Ravens also go as Jackson does and it will be up to Minter, along with those he surrounds himself with, to reach the player he reverently calls the best in the sport. Minter and Jackson, of course, are also not strangers. Minter was in his second year as a defensive assistant in Baltimore when the Ravens drafted Jackson in 2018. A year later, Jackson took over as the full-time starter, Minter was promoted to assistant defensive backs coach and the quarterback won his first NFL MVP Award in coordinator Greg Roman’s offense. In 2020, Minter was promoted to defensive backs coach before heading to Vanderbilt and then Michigan and then the Chargers for defensive coordinator jobs. Related Articles 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ Jesse Minter will call the defense. What about the offense? | COMMENTARY Some Ravens players were ‘very helpful’ in choosing Jesse Minter as coach Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY Ravens GM Eric DeCosta needed to reimagine Jesse Minter. Then he hired him. So what kind of coordinators and assistants are Minter seeking as he zeroes in on those decisions in the coming hours and days? “I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship builders and schematic expertise,” he said. “But most importantly, guys that the players believe in. [Coaches] that are willing to dive deep and build really strong relationships with the players. “I think [we will excel] when they feel that it’s collaborative, and they feel that it’s ours and not just the coaches, and [don’t think that] this is what the players do, and this is what the coaches do. It’s all of us.” No one more so than Jackson. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Players past and present shuffled into an auditorium Thursday morning in Owings Mills, where the Ravens formally introduced Jesse Minter as their new head coach. The team laid out a literal purple carpet. Minter snapped photos and, at one point, allowed some emotion to seep through when thanking his family. It was a red letter day in the history of Ravens football. Here are three takeaways: Nearing coordinator hires On Jan. 22, the Ravens hired Minter as the organization’s fourth coach. Within a few days, he solidified two hires of his own: defensive backs coach Mike Mickens and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford. The early returns on both are that Minter snagged two of the sport’s preeminent minds at those positions to address groups that faltered in Baltimore this past season. That’s all well and great, but what matters more right now — and what will more directly impact Minter’s success — is who he chooses to fill coordinator positions. Minter declined to reveal any names but said that those searches are “going well” and “far along.” There’s a chance Baltimore has one or multiple coordinator spots filled by the weekend, as Minter tries to get his affairs in order and hit the ground running. Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb and Lions wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery are two names reportedly in the mix as potential Ravens offensive coordinators. As for the defense, Minter confirmed that he will be calling the plays. In the search for his right hand man, the Ravens requested to interview Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard as a potential defensive coordinator. Leonhard played in Baltimore for one season in 2008. The Ravens also completed an interview with Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen. “I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship builders and schematic expertise, but most importantly, guys that the players believe in,” Minter said. “[Coaches] that are willing to dive deep and build really strong relationships with the players. I think [we will excel] when they feel that it’s collaborative. “It’s all of us, so I’m excited about the people involved in those searches right now, and I look forward to sharing those in the near future.” Players were involved in the decision. To what degree, we don’t know. General manager Eric DeCosta described the hiring process as a two-week sprint. He likened it to the draft with a much shorter runway, in which Ravens luminaries fielded near constant calls. Related Articles How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ Jesse Minter will call the defense. What about the offense? | COMMENTARY Some Ravens players were ‘very helpful’ in choosing Jesse Minter as coach Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY Ravens GM Eric DeCosta needed to reimagine Jesse Minter. Then he hired him. Involved in that process, DeCosta said, was a small group of players split evenly among offense and defense. None of which were named specifically. They tried to pick all veteran players to be involved, virtually or in person. “We had some guys on Zoom, and we had some guys that were in person, and they met with all the finalists,” DeCosta said. “So, over the last week of the process, they met with all the candidates that were coming in, and I can also say that some of our players are still involved in the process and will be involved with the process as it pertains to coordinators and other hires as well, which we’re excited about. Their opinion was valuable and very helpful.” Over the past week, Minter has had conversations with Lamar Jackson and Kyle Hamilton. He called Jackson “the best player in the National Football League” and described Hamilton as “a weapon on defense.” Thursday’s news conference did not reveal much in the way of details about player involvement in the decision to hire Minter. But there was a leadership group dialed in, and some of the players are voicing their opinions as Minter builds his staff. Chain of command isn’t changing John Harbaugh made waves when, upon being ousted in Baltimore and promptly hired in New York, he took his uncommon organizational structure with him. The head coach and general manager both report to one person: the owner. It worked in Baltimore for many years with Harbaugh and DeCosta each reporting to Steve Bisciotti. Bisciotti recently downplayed the dynamic, saying that if there was ever a standoff, a hands-off owner could be the tying vote but that a standoff never occurred. The Ravens won two Super Bowls that way, DeCosta pointed out, “and we believe in that system — working together, fighting together and figuring things out together.” The Giants are getting used to that change with Harbaugh. The Ravens plan to keep that dynamic status quo with Minter. “I think it’s a partnership with Eric and I, and that’s really what I was looking for in this whole process was a partnership and somebody that you really, really trust,” Minter said. The decision to maintain a similar power structure says as much about Minter as it does the Ravens’ belief in how they operate. When Harbaugh texted Minter, “they should hire you,” perhaps he knew they’d be a good fit in that respect. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

New Ravens coach Jesse Minter made one thing especially clear Thursday. The defense is his. Minter confirmed during his 25-minute introductory news conference that he will call plays on defense, continuing the hands-on approach that’s helped define his rise from defensive assistant in Baltimore to one of the NFL’s most respected young defensive minds. It was a decisive answer, and quite frankly, an expected one. A bigger issue still remains. What about the offense? That uncertainty hovered inside the team’s Owings Mills headquarters after Minter finished shaking hands, posing for photos and fulfilling his first-day responsibilities. In Minter, the Ravens hired a defensive head coach following consecutive campaigns that went awry due to defensive struggles and ultimately postseason regression. After losing to the Chiefs at home in the 2023 AFC championship game, the Ravens lost to the Bills in the 2024 divisional round and missed out on the playoffs completely this past season. Minter arrives in Baltimore with deep familiarity with the organization. He first served as a defensive assistant, working his way up to defensive backs coach between 2017 to 2020, before leaving on his “own accord” to become Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator. He later joined Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, won a national championship in 2023, then spent the past two seasons engineering a defensive turnaround with the Los Angeles Chargers. On Thursday, Minter outlined traits he’s looking for as he fills out the rest of his coaching staff, including the ever-important offensive coordinator position. “I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship builders and schematic expertise,” Minter said. “But most importantly, guys that the players believe in. Coaches that are willing to dive deep and build really strong relationships with the players.” Baltimore has reportedly interviewed Lions assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery and Broncos pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for the offensive coordinator vacancy. Whoever gets the job will be tasked with helping resurrect an offense that was plagued by inconsistency and poor execution during critical downs. Overall, the Ravens finished 16th in the NFL in total offense (332.2 yards per game). Quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson battled multiple injuries in a forgettable season that ended with a 6-7 record as the starter. His rushing numbers dipped to career lows, while his explosiveness and elusiveness vanished. As Minter and the Ravens chart their future, the coaching staff’s ability to maximize what’s left of Jackson’s prime ahead of his age 29 season is undoubtedly a top priority. It’s also impossible to separate Jackson’s on-field outlook from his current financial situation. Jackson’s cap number balloons to $74.5 million next season, representing roughly a quarter of the team’s projected salary cap. A restructure is essential if Baltimore wants to build a more complete roster around the quarterback. Jackson’s willingness and urgency to collaborate on a solution remain paramount. Related Articles How will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson mesh with new coach Jesse Minter? 3 takeaways from new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, including chain of command Some Ravens players were ‘very helpful’ in choosing Jesse Minter as coach Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY Ravens GM Eric DeCosta needed to reimagine Jesse Minter. Then he hired him. “I just look forward to connecting with [Jackson], helping him become the best version of himself,” Minter said. “Creating a team identity that allows him to thrive, which he’s already proven to be an elite — one of the best players in the National Football League, and put a team around him that allows him to reach that ultimate goal of bringing a Super Bowl back to Baltimore.” Unfortunately, Jackson’s absence from Thursday’s news conference stood out. Only nine players attended to support Minter: Running back Justice Hill, offensive linemen Carson Vinson and Gerad Lichtenhan, defensive linemen Travis Jones, Broderick Washington Jr. and Aeneas Peebles, linebacker Teddye Buchanan and defensive backs Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. Jackson wasn’t there. Neither were Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Mark Andrews or other cornerstone veterans. To be clear: Jackson was not required to be present for Minter’s first official day at the Castle. But just earlier this month during their end-of-season news conference, owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta publicly challenged Jackson to display improved communication and collaboration moving forward. Thursday presented a golden opportunity for Jackson to signal alignment as the franchise turned the page to its fourth head coach. Around the league, similar introductory moments unfolded a bit differently. On the same day the Ravens introduced Minter, franchise pillars in Buffalo and Tennessee showed up alongside new head coaches Joe Brady and Robert Saleh, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Titans quarterback Cam Ward joined by defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. Those key appearances displayed established leaders understanding the importance of their presence at the outset of new eras. Allen even hosted an impromptu news conference, discussing his involvement in Buffalo’s hiring process, his support of Brady and his broken foot injury. Back in Owings Mills, Minter said he and Jackson have already started building a relationship. “Lamar and I have had multiple conversations,” Minter said. “It’s been great. It’s been great to get to know him. Relationships take time. … We’ve been working towards that already.” Bisciotti previously volunteered to lend Jackson his private plane to travel from South Florida to Baltimore to participate in head-coaching interviews. The Ravens interviewed nearly two dozen candidates, including finalists Minter, Brady and Anthony Weaver. If that level of access existed during the process, it’s fair to wonder whether Jackson could’ve taken up the same service Thursday. With Minter flanked onstage by team president Sahsi Brown and DeCosta, Bisciotti had a front row seat alongside former general manager and senior adviser Ozzie Newsome. DeCosta was asked directly whether Jackson participated in finalist interviews. His response came across as general and notably indirect. “We had a small group of players kind of split evenly among offense and defense,” DeCosta said. “They had the opportunity to come into Baltimore or be a part of a Zoom. … Their opinion was valuable and very helpful.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken speak before a Week 18 game against the Steelers. Jackson will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) The Ravens are walking a familiar line of protecting their franchise quarterback while hoping Jackson grows into a more coherent leadership role that includes improved communication with the coaching staff and front office. Former offensive coordinator and new Browns coach Todd Monken acknowledged that imbalance, noting on his recent appearance on the Ryan Ripken show that “I didn’t coach Lamar well enough” and “didn’t have as good of a relationship as I could have.” Minter inherits that challenge immediately. The first-time coach arrives in Baltimore with a long history of connecting with players and forming real off-field relationships that have consistently converted to on-field success. “Our football identity, I would say, is [to be] physical, tough, relentless and playing together,” Minter said. “I think when people turn on our film, I want them to see a team that’s really well connected, that plays for each other. You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for everybody. There’s a physicality that comes along with that. There’s a mental and physical toughness that comes along with that. There are schematic things that come along with that. “I’m really looking forward to building that with our team, creating our own identity in that regard and building on what’s been done here in the past.” Minter is in place and the defensive identity is spoken for. The offense, however, from coordinator and offensive staff to philosophy and how it maximizes what remains of Jackson’s prime while navigating an unavoidable contract restructure, remains under construction. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Eric DeCosta didn’t do it alone. The Ravens’ general manager said Thursday that a “small group” of both offensive and defensive players, many of whom are veterans, helped Baltimore choose Jesse Minter to be its next coach. “Their opinion was valuable and very helpful,” DeCosta said at Minter’s introductory news conference in Owings Mills. “They came at it from a different perspective as players. The feedback that we got from the candidates was fantastic.” The players’ roles are not finished. DeCosta said that the group is also helping evaluate candidates for the team’s offensive and defensive coordinator positions and other roles on the coaching staff. Minter’s hiring, announced last Thursday, marked DeCosta’s first head-coaching search since becoming general manager in 2019. While DeCosta was involved in the hiring of John Harbaugh in 2008 as director of college scouting, this process was different. He was leading this. Zoom interviews played a major role, allowing the Ravens to gather information quickly while expanding the scope of voices involved. “The integration of technology allows us to talk to a lot more people in a very short amount of time, which is an opportunity and a challenge,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said. Players participated in interviews in-person or remotely. DeCosta declined to identify those involved, saying only that they were “veteran players that had inquired about being a part of the process.” Owner Steve Bisciotti previously encouraged quarterback Lamar Jackson to take part, though it was not disclosed whether the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player participated in interviews. Jackson was not among the nine current players present Thursday. “I think relationships take time, and so you don’t become the head coach of the Ravens and expect to have a deep relationship with anybody,” Minter said of the star quarterback. “I just look forward to connecting with him, helping him become the best version of himself.” DeCosta acknowledged that it initially took some time for him to envision Minter, who worked in Baltimore from 2017 to 2020 as a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach, as a head coach. . That perception shifted as DeCosta gathered feedback from those who had worked closely with Minter, including Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz, who worked closely with DeCosta as Baltimore’s director of player personnel before landing in Los Angeles, and former Ravens safeties Tony Jefferson and Eric Weddle. “Watching him last year … and watching that defense, I’m like, ‘Damn, this is a good team. This is a really good defense. Jesse’s doing a hell of a job,’ ” DeCosta said. “I think it takes a whole process of accumulating information and really removing all the biases that you have in your head.” Minter wouldn’t confirm any hires or timelines for when positions will be filled. He did say that the offensive and defensive coordinator searches are “very far along,” adding that announcements would come “in the near future.” Amid their search for a head coach, the Ravens interviewed several candidates who could fit as offensive coordinator, including former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Rams pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase and Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ defense needs fixing. Here comes Jesse Minter. | COMMENTARY Ravens GM Eric DeCosta needed to reimagine Jesse Minter. Then he hired him. Ravens coach Jesse Minter explains vision: Being at best ‘late in the season’ READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans grade team’s hire of head coach Jesse Minter New Ravens coach Jesse Minter not trying to copy John Harbaugh: ‘Own spin’ Whoever is chosen will play a critical role in the Ravens’ future, particularly in shaping the working relationship with Jackson. That hire carries far more weight than the defensive coordinator decision after Minter said that he will call the defensive plays. With the hires to shape his staff, Minter isn’t just looking for schematic expertise. He explicitly says player buy-in is required. “I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship builders and schematic expertise, but most importantly, guys that the players believe in,” Minter said. “I think [we will excel] when they feel that it’s collaborative, and they feel that it’s ours and not just the coaches.” Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article