The Baltimore Ravens are slowly making the necessary changes to their coaching staff this offseason. After firing John Harbaugh, they were set for a coaching overhaul. With Jesse Minter officially filling the head coaching vacancy on January 22, the 42-year-old is starting to fill in the cracks.
Minter has already added a couple of intriguing names to his coaching staff. Defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens and offensive line coach and run game coordinator Dwayne Ledford were the first additions. They are among the most highly praised names at their position units. However, the vacancies at offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators are impossible to ignore.
Most recently, the Ravens have been making their rounds requesting interviews to fill their open offensive coordinator spot. Joe Brady was a speculated candidate, but he just signed with the Buffalo Bills to become their head coach on Tuesday. With him off the market, Baltimore could turn to two up-and-coming coaches: Denver Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Ravens could be eying young playcaller over seasoned veteran
The minute Minter was hired, many reports speculated that a veteran would be joining him on staff as the offensive coordinator. Brady and former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury appeared to be the top candidates. However, the recent interview requests could signal that the team is leaning toward adding a younger playcaller.
Webb has had his fair share of head coaching interviews this cycle. He was one of the 20 candidates interviewed by Baltimore before Minter was hired. Webb is still in the running for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching gig, but if he doesn’t end up there, he could seek a promotion with the Ravens.
Unfortunately, the possibility of Webb staying home in Denver is growing. The Broncos fired their offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, on Tuesday, paving a clear path for Webb to become the team’s next playcaller if they desire to have him do so.
In Doyle’s case, he is already the offensive coordinator in Chicago, but doesn’t have a ton of control over the playcalling. Head coach Ben Johnson handles those duties. With Minter being a defensive mind, Doyle would have an opportunity to flex his offensive muscles in Baltimore.
Doyle is just 30 years old, but is already making a quick run up the coaching ladder. Johnson is regarded as one of the best offensive playcallers in the NFL, and learning under that caliber of coach makes Doyle all the more desirable. A chance to coach Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would also bring mutual interest.
Of course, with Jackson in his prime, it’d be an understandable move to sign a veteran offensive coordinator. With Minter’s latest interview requests, though, he could be looking to build a strong staff for both now and the foreseeable future.