Jesse Minter Discusses Whether Lamar Jackson Should Run More Next Season
Head Coach Jesse Minter has largely chosen to keep his conversations with quarterback Lamar Jackson private, but he did shed some light on the developing relationship during an appearance on ESPN's "The Rich Eisen Show" Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"I feel like the relationship is off to a great start and headed in a great direction," Minter said, adding that Jackson spoke with him via Zoom during the head coach interview process. "He wanted to hear my vision for him, the offense, the team."
As to what his vision is for Jackson, Minter said it's "really just building a system that allows him to thrive and be the MVP caliber player that he's been."
Minter was asked if Jackson needs to run more. Jackson, the all-time and single-season record-holder for rushing yards by a quarterback, posted career lows in carries (67), yards (349), and touchdowns (two) this past season.
"I don't know if he needs to run more. I actually think there's times where he can run less," Minter said. "If you build an offense that takes advantage of the under center, the downhill run game, now that opens up a lot of boots and play action. And then, the great quarterbacks have that ability on the key play to execute the second play. So, the first play is maybe not there. It's not the perfect play call. Now, he can take advantage of that with his athleticism, his skill set. That's what he's always been able to do and will continue to be able to do.
"I think there's high leverage moments where the quarterback's willing to do what he needs to do to win the game, or win the play, or whatever it might be. And then I think there's times where, you know, this is a franchise player. This is a guy you want to be the quarterback for a long, long time. And so, there's a health element and a protection element that needs to be in place to where he's not taking some of the hits that he doesn't need to. So, I think it's a great balance there. You want him to be what's made him great."
Jeff Zrebiec Offers Insight Into Eric DeCosta's Comments About Tyler Linderbaum Contract Talks
The biggest revelation from General Manager Eric DeCosta's media session at the Combine was that the Ravens have offered pending free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum a "market-setting deal."
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted that DeCosta typically says little about contract negotiations, which is why his comments about talks with Linderbaum are especially significant.
"DeCosta said the Ravens probably wouldn't use the franchise or transition tags to keep Linderbaum off the free-agent market, meaning an extension is a must," Zrebiec wrote. "And it's clear the Ravens haven't made enough progress on that front for DeCosta to feel really good about where things currently stand. Because if they had, there's no way DeCosta would have stood behind a microphone Tuesday morning and told everyone the Ravens have offered to make Linderbaum the NFL's highest-paid center.
"DeCosta is very media savvy, and he says nothing by accident. Uncharacteristically providing details of the offer to Linderbaum serves only two purposes for the Ravens. One, it applies some pressure on Linderbaum and his veteran agent, Neil Cornrich, to come to the bargaining table or at least respond to Baltimore's offer. Two, it sends a message to the team's players and fans that the Ravens are trying to keep the popular Linderbaum, and if they can't, it won't be because of a lack of effort."
Linderbaum would be one of the league's most-coveted free agents if he hits the open market. The NFL's legal tampering period begins March 9, and the new league year (when players can officially sign with teams) starts March 11.
"If you are in the camp that the Ravens simply can't allow Linderbaum to leave, an outcome that would add significantly to an already daunting offseason offensive line build, then it's probably time to start getting nervous," Zrebiec wrote. "Each day closer to March 9 increases the chances that Linderbaum will be playing his football elsewhere in 2026."
The Ravens were in a similar position last offseason when left tackle Ronnie Stanley was a pending free agent. They re-signed him to a three-year deal two days before the start of free agency.
Pundit Says Ravens Should Look to Sign Trey Hendrickson to a Short-Term Deal
Pending free-agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson continues to be linked to the Ravens.
NFL.com writer Nick Shook is the latest pundit to name the Ravens the best fit for the Cincinnati Bengals' four-time Pro Bowler.
"Adding Hendrickson on an expensive but short-term deal would provide the Ravens with a proven edge rusher capable of harassing opposing quarterbacks and returning some strength to their front," Shook wrote. "Hendrickson would also fit into an established approach adopted by the Ravens over the last decade, one in which they entice veterans looking to chase a ring and manage to fit them into roles in which they make a difference (e.g., Kyle Van Noy in 2023 and 2024). It's a short-term solution, but it's a strong answer to one of Baltimore's biggest lingering questions."
Hendrickson, 31, had four sacks in seven games this past season before going down with a core muscle injury. He had 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024.
DeAndre Hopkins Was a Contested-Catch Monster Again in 2025
Even at age 33, DeAndre Hopkins remained one of the best at making contested catches last season.
The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was No. 7 on Pro Football Focus' ranking of the top 10 contested-catch receivers for 2025.
Hopkins didn't get a lot of targets, but he made the most of them, especially in tight coverage.
"Hopkins is firmly one of the league's greatest contested catch artists ever," PFF’s Daire Carragher wrote. "Over the past decade, his 119 contested catches are the second-most of any player — behind only Mike Evans. Now firmly in the twilight of his career, Hopkins mustered just 330 receiving yards this past season with the Ravens. However, 191 of them came on contested receptions.
"Hopkins finished the season as PFF's highest-graded wide receiver on contested targets with a 97.3 receiving grade. Eight of Hopkins' 11 contested catches went for first downs, while two more were touchdowns. Lamar Jackson had a 142.0 passer rating when throwing to Hopkins in traffic."
