The Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff looks almost completely different in 2026. Under head coach Jesse Minter, the team feels primed for success more than ever. There’s major excitement heading into this era.
The new alliance between Minter and Lamar Jackson should be very exciting to watch. Jackson already sounds fully bought in, and with the 42-year-old calling the defense, they could quickly prove to be one of the more dynamic coach-quarterback duos.
In a recent article for CBS Sports, Jared Dubin ranked the 12 new coach-quarterback duos across the NFL. Obviously, the Ravens' partnership of Minter and Jackson placed near the top of the list. However, they fell short of a heated AFC rival going through a similar shift: the Buffalo Bills with Joe Brady and Josh Allen.
Even in a changing landscape, it’s clear the Ravens/Bills rivalry will remain intense.
Baltimore Ravens’ fierce rivalry set to take another step forward in new era
It was quite a shock that both the Ravens and Bills fired their head coaches this offseason, but it’s hard to argue they aren’t headed in a bigger and better direction. While John Harbaugh and Sean McDermott were very successful, they both fell victim to the same issue, that being the extreme disappointment in the playoffs. It was likely the main catalyst in their departures.
While playoff success isn’t guaranteed on the other side, flipping the page for good was probably the best move for both parties. It was definitely the right move for Baltimore, as they’ve endured slightly more trouble and disappointment, and after seeing Harbaugh fired, it’s fair to assume that may have pushed Buffalo to make their bold decision on McDermott.
For the Ravens, this is just another area where they could be considered a step behind the Bills. They’ve fallen short at the hands of Josh Allen and company twice in the playoffs, as that team has kind of become a thorn in Baltimore’s side come time for postseason ball. Now, as they look to rebound and shift the tone under Minter, Dubin believes that Buffalo still has a slight leg up.
Now, Dubin admits it’s almost a deadlock between the two franchises, just as it is field, but the Ravens have a bigger mountain to overcome with their coaching change. The key factor in Dubin’s rankings was the continuity between Brady and Allen.
Brady called the plays for Allen over the past few years, playing a key role in Allen’s 2024 MVP win. Minter and Jackson kind of have that as it’s Minter’s second stint in Charm City; however, the difference in their roles between the offensive and defensive side of the ball, with Jackson also working with a new offensive coordinator, is enough to question this duo just a bit more than Buffalo’s.
The Ravens’ potential could certainly be higher than the Bills, though. Jackson gets to work with an exciting, fresh face, whereas Allen gets to work with an internally promoted coach. I’m not saying the ceiling is limited with Buffalo, but it’s certainly a bit more defined than what we could see in Baltimore.
Regardless of where you stand on the argument, though, it's becoming quite evident that despite the overhaul of changes these AFC competitors have undergone, the rivalry will still burn hot. When the two sides square off in Week 8 this year, we should be in for fireworks like always.
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