Ravens HC Jesse Minter Has Quickly Won Over Players Now He Must Win Games

OWINGS MILLS, Md. Nobody really thought John Harbaugh deserved to be fired in Baltimore. He had been there for 18 mostly successful seasons, and even the 8-9 disappointment last year was largely because his superstar quarterback got hurt. So when owner Steve Bisciotti did it anyway, and replaced him with Jesse Minter, a 43-year-old first-time head coach, there were definitely shock waves felt in the Ravens locker room. And there were some skeptical players who needed to be convinced that this unexpected switch was going to be good. "Yeah, but I think he did it in his first team meeting," second-year safety Malaki Starks told me after practice Thursday. "He came in and set his expectations and his standards. He didnt come in with a big chest saying Im the guy. He also didnt come in not talking at all. He came in authentic to himself. "And we could see hes an easy man to follow." The Ravens better hope thats true, and that Minter is really up to the task, because no first-year coach has more pressure on him in 2026 than he does. Minter, the former Chargers defensive coordinator, inherited a loaded team, with an MVP-winning quarterback, and more than enough talent to make a real run at Super Bowl LXI. Its not often that a first-time coach gets to take over a team this good, with super high expectations. All he has to do is not screw it up. "Yeah, but I think the confidence that he has in himself allowed him to really come in and be himself," Starks told me. "He came in knowing that the team that he has, and he can handle it. Thats who he is and who he wants to be. "And we all have confidence in his ability." So far, the early reviews on Minter are good. As a former Harbaugh assistant (2017-20), he didnt come in and rip up the foundation that his predecessor had established over the better part of two decades. He just put his own twists and personality on it. Minter told the players on the first day that his door was open, and he welcomed their input. He shortened the practices a bit from the marathon sessions Harbaugh used to run. But mostly, he worked hard every day and eventually convinced them that theres a reason he got this job. "Hes the definition of a leader, to a T," Starks told me. "And hes super smart." The defense, in particular, is counting on that "super smart" part. That was the most disappointing thing about last years Ravens. They ranked 24th in total defense and 28th in sacks. Its not solely why Baltimore missed the postseason for the first time in four years, but it definitely was part of the collapse. Minter, who coached the Ravens defensive backs in 2019-20 and will call the defensive plays this year, directed one of the NFL's best defenses the past two seasons with the Chargers, who'd been one of the worst in 2023. He brings instant credibility to that side of the ball with his new players, simply on the strength of his résumé. But it didnt take long for them to understand why his system has succeeded. "I think the biggest thing is it's set up to make plays," Starks told me. "Attack the ball, fly around, and play as a unit. I think were going to thrive in that. I really do. Guys are really buying into it." So far, the Ravens are buying into everything Minter is selling them, which is easy considering they havent even played a preseason game yet. The real proof will come in the months ahead, when theyll really find out if their new coach is capable of making that leap. Because he certainly has the right team to make a big impact in his first season. Its rare that a coach is the teams biggest question mark. But the Ravens seem convinced that Minter is the right answer, too. Derrick Henry is a big man. I know, thats not a revelation. Hes 6-foot-3, 252 pounds. But he looks bigger in person, and he must look like a freight train to defenders when he gets moving. He's 32 years old now and, between high school, college and the NFL, has tallied more than 4,600 carries. Yet, theres still no running back I would fear more if I played defense. "Hes a big man," Starks told me. "Just the things hes able to do at his size and how valuable he is to this team doesnt get talked about enough. Im grateful I dont have to see him on Sundays." If Henry is healthy all season, the Ravens rushing attack should again be unstoppable. And its a decent bet hell be healthy, since hes missed just 12 games in his 10-year career nine of which came in the 2021 season. The guy is just a marvel and one of the greatest running backs in the history of the game. "Lamar Jackson is aging like fine wine." Ravens QBs coach Israel Woolfork A Super Bowl Contender Once Again Thats nothing new for a franchise that has had double-digit wins in six of the past eight seasons, but it is a little odd for a team coming off a coaching change. Minter landed in the best spot of any new coach, though, because he inherited a powerhouse. He has an All-Pro QB and RB, an elite receiver in Zay Flowers and an elite pass-rusher in Hendrickson. Considering the rest of the supporting cast is pretty good, too, that should be more than enough. They have to stay healthy, of course. If Jackson or Henry go down, their outlook changes. Same, to an extent, for Flowers, since hes their only reliable wideout. And Minter, known for his defensive wizardry, does need to fix a defense that struggled last year. But all the pieces are right there for the Ravens to win 10-plus games, even in what could be a much more competitive AFC North. And if the 1-2 punch of Jackson and Henry get rolling in the playoffs, the Ravens could make a deep run. I'm now headed to Latrobe, Pa., home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the birthplace of Rolling Rock beer, the banana split and Mr. Rogers (Fred, not Aaron). (Actually, Im going home first before making the six-hour trek across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Saturday, so I can be at St. Vincent College for Steelers practice on Sunday morning.) You can learn a lot while driving across Pennsylvania if you take time to read the many billboards. For example, you learn that God has a phone number, and you are heavily encouraged to call Him if you are addicted to gambling or porn. You also learn that you can get almost anything made out of sheep skin. And you learn that even though the state (excuse me, the Commonwealth) is 300 miles long, a personal injury lawyer is never very far away. Once I do get there, Im looking forward to seeing what Mr. Rodgers (Aaron) has left in his 42-year-old right arm. At this point, you have to see him as much as possible before Father Time completely catches up. Ive never been to Latrobe, but Pittsburgh is one of the most underrated cities in America. And PNC Park is the best ballpark west of CitiField. So, if you see me there for Red Sox-Pirates this weekend, please dont tell my boss.