Kyle Hamilton had his first face-to-face meeting with Head Coach Jesse Minter this week.
So did many Ravens. They arrived at the Under Armour Performance Center on Monday to begin voluntary offseason workouts, feeling like students returning to school and meeting their new teachers.
It's a fresh start after a disappointing 2025 season that resulted in the Ravens changing head coaches for the first time in 18 years. The newness has created excitement and energy that the Ravens hope to carry throughout spring and summer and into fall.
Before he arrived this week, Hamilton had already heard from numerous players with the Los Angeles Chargers who knew Minter to get the 411 on the new head coach. Now that he and Minter have talked and discussed plans for the upcoming season, Hamilton feels even more enthused, as do many of his teammates.
"It's been everything and more so far," Hamilton said. "I'm just excited for a new era of Ravens football."
This is the first time Hamilton has ever played for an NFL head coach other than John Harbaugh. The same is true for many core players like Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Marlon Humphrey, and Ronnie Stanley.
They're still in the early phases of building their relationship, but the Ravens' leaders like what they've seen from Minter.
"He is very detailed and very meticulous. He cares a lot about the process and the learning process, especially," Hamilton said, calling Minter a "shoo-in" for the job given his background in Baltimore and defensive pedigree.
"Cam [Hart] texted me and was just like, 'I think you guys will fit very well with him.' [There are] no egos at all, he's very humble, very smart, and doesn't point the finger. And I think that's somebody we all wanted and needed. And I think guys are really excited."
The Ravens have put the 2025 season to bed, but it was a wake-up call to miss the playoffs and finish 8-9. It was the first time Hamilton ever experienced missing the postseason, and it's not something he wants to repeat.
"The standard has not been met and upheld," Hamilton said, specifically referencing the defense. "We need to fix that."
Attendance at this week's voluntary workouts has been excellent, according to coaches and players. There's plenty of learning to do this offseason, because not only has the coaching staff changed, but some important players from past seasons have moved on.
Andrews is back for his ninth season as the franchise leader in receiving yards, touchdown catches, and receptions. However, he finds himself in a tight end room that has a different identity. Isaiah Likely (New York Giants) and Charlie Kolar (Los Angeles Chargers) are gone, as is Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard (Giants). The Ravens signed blocking tight end Durham Smythe during free agency, but are expected to add to the position, perhaps during the draft later this month.
Andrews is already enthused by the possibilities for the new offense, which will be directed by 30-year-old Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle. Andrews and Doyle are the same age, which is a new dynamic for the veteran tight end. It's early in the process as Doyle shapes his vision, but he's making a strong first impression on Andrews.
"Just being around him the few short days, [he] seems like an incredibly dynamic person," Andrews said. "He said he prides himself on being a teacher."
Flowers is coming off his best season (86 catches, 1,211 yards, five touchdowns) and the two-time Pro Bowler has established himself as one of the league's top wideouts. In addition to training in his native South Florida, Flowers made it a point this offseason to return to Baltimore on a regular basis.
He and Minter spent some time together attending the Orioles' home opener, and Flowers says they have already bonded. Minter and the coaching staff spent a great deal of time planning the entire offseason, and Flowers said their preparation was obvious once the players arrived.
"They was ready," Flowers said. "Everything from the plays to the formations. Everything was already set with power points, how we're going to learn the plays, what we're going to do, the type of offense we're going to have. We learned that from Day 1."
Hamilton has heard Minter voice his intention to use the All-Pro safety as a "weapon" on defense. Pass Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach Mike Mickens and Hamilton already have a relationship from their days together at Notre Dame.
Hamilton likes the vibe he's getting from the new staff and his teammates, who reported this week ready to work and learn. It's just the beginning, but Hamilton thinks Minter has something good brewing.
"I think guys are really excited," Hamilton said. "We've had some good seasons, but we've also had some bad seasons. [Minter], along with [Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver] have done a great job laying out what's been in the past and where we want to go in the future."
