Mink: The Ravens always operate this way. They're patient and methodical.
The Ravens want to have as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision â not a quick decision. That means casting a wide net and talking to a range of different candidates with different backgrounds and philosophies.
They aren't going to let any other team's timeline influence theirs, especially when they have the top job available on the market.
We can all get caught up in the names generating the most buzz, but the Ravens trust their process. They did the same thing back in 2008 when they made an unconventional hire with then-special teams coordinator John Harbaugh, and that worked out pretty darn well.
The New York Giants went all-in courting Harbaugh. That was recruiting. The Ravens are conducting an actual search, and I think they should be given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to finding the right person for the job.
You also have to remember that some of the top coaches in this year's cycle are still in the playoffs, meaning they can't be hired yet. The Ravens already conducted first interviews with several: Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, Broncos Pass Game Coordinator Davis Webb, Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak, Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula, and Rams Pass Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
The Seahawks were patient two years ago, waiting until after the Ravens lost in the AFC Championship game to hire Mike Macdonald. That worked out well for them, too.
A few coaches the Ravens interviewed have already been hired elsewhere, but according to ESPNâs Adam Schefter, "these would not have been the hires that the Ravens would have made anyway."
Brown: The Ravens want a coach who convinces them that his leadership will help Baltimore deliver in clutch situations, especially during the playoffs. They want a coach with a vision for maximizing the skill sets of unique players like Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton, and Derrick Henry. They want to hear a plan for building a better defense, a unit that consistently protects leads and gets stops in key situations.
A candidate can do that in several ways during interviews. By displaying his expertise with X's and O's. By using his confidence and passion to take command of the interview with his personality. He can reference specific examples from his past to explain how he has motivated players, handled difficult situations, or convinced players to buy in and work together.
A strong interview can also include a detailed plan for building a staff of coordinators and assistants who will cover areas where the next head coach's expertise is not the strongest.
The Ravens will gather intel on every candidate before and after interviews, and that information will weigh into the decision. However, the Ravens want someone to convince them during these interviews that he's clearly the right choice.
Mink: The Ravens hope so. The negotiations with Lamar Jackson in 2023 lasted until the first day of the draft, when he inked a five-year deal, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
This time around, Owner Steve Bisciotti made it clear that he wants to get a deal done before free agency opens on March 11. That way, the Ravens have a clear picture of their salary cap space and spending power.
General Manager Eric DeCosta said he wants to go after a couple "big-ticket items," but the Ravens will need Jackson's help to do so.
"We want another window, and Lamar knows that. I think that he's amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal he did, although the annual number will be a little higher, but I'm hoping that it's [going to be] plug a new number into the same contract he signed last year and move on," Bisciotti said.
"And the urgency of that matters to me because we've got free agents, and I don't want to go into free agency with that hanging over our head. And I made that clear to Lamar, and I think he was very appreciative of my stance, and hopefully willing to work with Eric and not get this thing dragged out into April like it was the last time. It was very hard for [DeCosta] to build a roster when that thing is not settled."
Brown: I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Ravens signing Zay Flowers to a long-term deal this offseason, or sometime next season.
Making the Pro Bowl for the second time has escalated the fifth-year option on Flowers' current contract. According to OvertheCap.com, it is projected to be $24.37 million â the third-highest figure of his draft class behind quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, who were drafted with the first two picks.
Flowers is entering his fourth year and still under contract, but the Ravens must decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option by May 1. Baltimore could do so and still ultimately decide it's more prudent to reach a long-term agreement with Flowers, whose market value will increase if he enjoys another Pro Bowl season in 2026. The Ravens did that with Kyle Hamilton last year.
Flowers has already made history as the first Ravens wide receiver to be named a Pro Bowler at the position. He is just 25 years old and has great chemistry with Jackson. While Flowers had some key fumbles he'd like to have back, he's a key cog in Baltimore's offense as a No. 1 receiver.
As you alluded to, getting Jacksonâs signed to a contract extension and negotiations with pending free agent Tyler Linderbaum are more pressing matters. However, it will be interesting to see if anything develops with Flowers' contract status.
