The Baltimore Ravens’ coaching turnover is going to have a lasting effect on their roster as they near free agency. Many pending free agents will depart, as New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh could look to poach some of his former players off Baltimore’s roster. In the same way, the team’s new head coach, Jesse Minter, may not have some of those in need of an extension in his future plans. He could also look to have a few of his former players join his new team.
For some players, news of a new head coach and a clean sweep of the coaching staff can be bad news for their future with that particular team. For others, it could be the best news they’ve heard in their entire lives. The latter is the case for many players currently under contract in Baltimore.
On Friday, the Ravens made their latest addition to Minter’s coaching staff. They hired Harland Bower to be their outside linebacker coach. Bower was an assistant coach at Duke from December 2021 to 2025, and also coached defensive ends. For rookie defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles, it sounds like he couldn’t be more excited to see Bower coming to Charm City. Just take a look at his over-the-moon reaction on X below.
BIG BOWER!!!!! https://t.co/nVHCaK0qC6
— Aeneas “Fub” Peebles (@Ae9eas) February 6, 2026
After an agonizing rookie season where he barely saw the field, Peebles could see a massive opportunity awaiting him in 2026. Hopefully, that’s the case.
Aeneas Peebles could have an open runway for a breakout after Ravens’ Harland Bower hire
Of course, Bower won’t be coaching Peebles in particular with the Ravens. He joins as the outside linebackers coach, and not the defensive ends coach like he was at Duke. Still, it’s a coach Peebles is familiar with as he tries to find his footing in the NFL.
Peebles played at Duke from 2020 to 2023, playing under Bower from December 2021 to 2023. In those years, Peebles welcomed himself to the college football world, totaling 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.
After transferring to Virginia Tech and enjoying another strong season in Blacksburg, Va., he was drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In the pros, he has yet to get a real chance to prove himself. He only appeared in six games this past season, finishing with just three combined tackles.
It may not be fair to say Peebles was in Harbaugh’s doghouse. The 24-year-old had his flaws. Most notably, his lackluster ability against the run certainly played a part in his struggles to see the field. However, Peebles has some impressive explosiveness as a pass rusher on the interior.
In 2025, the need for pass rush may have been Baltimore’s single biggest flaw. Peebles wouldn’t have been the solution, but he could’ve helped bring more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, he never saw a consistent opportunity. With Jesse Minter calling the shots and Peebles’ former coach, Harland Bower, joining the staff, that should be set to change.