3 coaching changes the Ravens could make in the offseason

2. Steve Saunders, head strength and conditioning coach, Ravens

Steve Saunders is a name that might not be too familiar to Ravens fans. He’s been with the organization in some compacity since 2016 and has been their head strength and conditioning coach since 2018.

But due to the nature of his job, he’s not exactly someone who tends to make headlines. That said, he did gain some notoriety (or rather infamy) last season when we was suspended 30 days by the organization for violating COVID-19 safety protocols.

This came during the height of the Ravens’ COVID-19 breakout as Saunders was suspended for “not always wearing a mask and contact-tracing device in the facility,” per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

But if you weren’t paying attention to that at the time, the chances are you haven’t heard of Saunders. However, there are reasons the Ravens might look to make a change.

The Ravens have been forced to endure a seemingly unprecedented string of injuries this season. The likes of Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Derek Wolfe, DeShon Elliott, L.J. Fort, and many others have missed most or all of this season.

Not to mention that they haven’t had their starting quarterback since Week 14. Now, sometimes injuries just happen. Most of the time, in fact, there isn’t someone to blame.

That might not be the opinion of former Ravens player Matt Judon, however, who seemed to suggest that the organization should fire Saunders in a tweet back in November.

It’s hard to say if the Ravens will actually consider making a move as drastic as this, but there is some smoke. Either way, it’s certainly something that can be considered.