The Ravens believe in right player, right price.
They've decided that Jesse Minter is the right coach, right time.
Making Minter the fourth head coach in franchise history begins a new Ravens era. It's an exciting move that's magnified because Minter is the first head coach Baltimore has hired in 18 years.
Some franchises are used to seeing coaches come and go. The Ravens prefer their coaches to stay and win.
That's what Minter plans to do, and Ravens fans will eagerly await his press conference on Thursday, when they will hear and see Minter for the first time in his new role.
Everywhere he's been, Minter has excelled at commanding the room, whether inside the building or outside on the grass.
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens as they move forward with Minter, all in 50 words or less:
- Watching the different ways Minter uses Kyle Hamilton should be fun. But many players, including safety Derwin James and ex-Raven Odafe Oweh, flourished under Minter with the Chargers. Minter hopes to get young defenders like Malaki Starks, Mike Green, Nate Wiggins, and Teddye Buchanan to blossom the same way.
- I like the fact that Minter has a strong defensive pedigree. The Chargers ranked fifth overall defensively in 2025. The Ravens ranked 24th, and that needs to improve. To me, a top-five defense in Baltimore, plus an offense led by Lamar Jackson, equals a championship contender.
- The Chargers had the fourth-best third-down defense in the NFL over the last two seasons, allowing conversions just 35.5% of the time. Minter's defenses consistently got off the field on third down. The Ravens want Minter to bring that same trait to Baltimore's defense.
- Don't sell Minter's offensive acumen short. Defensive coordinators spend long hours devising schemes trying to stop players like Jackson and Derrick Henry. Minter will have ideas on how Jackson, Henry, and others can counter defenses designed to stop them.
The Ravens have agreed to terms with Jesse Minter to become to franchise's next head coach.
- Particularly as a first-time head coach, it will be important for Minter to build a strong staff. Coaches across the league are still interviewing for various assistant positions. For any head coach, the stronger his staff, the better his chances.
- Much attention will be paid to Minter's choices for his coordinators, particularly the offensive coordinator. The Ravens' attack regressed in 2025, and their offensive line play was inconsistent. However, Minter will find no shortage of potential coordinators who want to work with him and Jackson.
- The Ravens were the first AFC North team this offseason to fill their head coach vacancy. As of Saturday morning, the Browns and Steelers were still looking for their next coach. Baltimore was methodical in its approach and moved decisively once convinced that Minter was its guy.
- There's no rest for General Manager Eric DeCosta, who will be at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., next week looking for players who can help Baltimore next season. Between now and the draft, Minter and DeCosta will have many conversations about the prospects who best fit Minter's vision.
- Minter was recently part of a championship team, when he was defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2023 and the Wolverines won a national championship. There may be some lessons Minter learned during that title run that will help the Ravens excel in the postseason.
- The four years Minter spent on the Ravens' staff (2017-20) will ease his transition. He knows people who are in the front office, scouts, and several players. He knows the area. He's the new head coach, but in some ways he's coming home.
