The Baltimore Ravens are pushing all the right buttons to put themselves in position for a bounce-back year in 2026. 2025 being a disappointment may be an understatement; it was a complete disaster. As a result, they fired their very successful head coach, John Harbaugh, triggering a barrage of changes to their coaching staff.
Outside of a few names, the Ravens’ coaching staff heading into next year is full of new faces. At the forefront of that is the head coach they hired to replace Harbaugh, Jesse Minter. Minter has been praised as one of the best head coaching hires of this cycle, and alongside him, he’s built a stout coaching staff.
Minter’s presence should undoubtedly initiate a much-needed tone shift. Baltimore’s defense was unbelievably bad in 2025, and the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator seems ready to change that. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the defense should see drastic improvements.
Bradley Locker of PFF recently constructed a list of 10 units that are well-positioned to see upgrades in 2026. The Ravens' defense was the first group that he mentioned. Locker wrote:
“The Ravens’ 2025 season went awry for several reasons, with a sluggish defense chief among them. Last year, Baltimore fell to 18th in defensive success rate and 16th in yards per play allowed. The team’s pass rush was a particular issue, tying for 29th in team PFF pass-rush grade.”
“Enter Jesse Minter. The team’s new head coach has established his track record over the last two years as Chargers defensive coordinator, propelling the team to sit sixth in EPA per play and fourth in success rate in that span. Minter’s best ability could be turning unheralded players into standouts, getting tremendous production out of names like Donte Jackson, Teair Tart, Poona Ford and Elijah Molden.”
Locker also mentioned the Ravens’ offense as a unit that should be elevated next year. With a stronger offense and a defense that is expected to be seen more as a strength than a weakness next season, Locker believes that Baltimore should look more like a legitimate contender.
Under Minter, this team should get back to doing what they do best: harassing opposing offenses with a physical, relentless defense.
Ravens' defense set for a fresh start under Jesse Minter
Everyone knows the Ravens offense is going to do damage. As long as quarterback Lamar Jackson is healthy, they’re going to be a threat every week. The eye-opening surge should come on the defensive side of the football.
Locker noted in his write-up that the team’s front office should look to enhance its pass rush. That has to be their top priority. In 2025, they finished with just 30 sacks, which was tied for third-worst in the NFL, and their leading sack-getter was defensive tackle Travis Jones with five.
The secondary is another area that was a far cry from its usual self last year. Specifically, the cornerback room needs some renovations. 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins seems to be the only sure-thing entering the offseason, as Marlon Humphrey significantly regressed last year and Chidobe Awuzie is set to hit free agency.
Despite all the struggles, there is plenty of reason to believe that Minter can successfully reconstruct this unit. It all starts with safety Kyle Hamilton.
Hamilton has been one of the top safeties since entering the league in 2022. In 2025, he was unleashed as a do-it-all playmaker after the midseason acquisition of Alohi Gilman. Minter has experience with versatile weapons, like Derwin James with the Chargers, and his ability to supercharge a defense with those sorts of pieces should be no different with Hamilton.
There is also some rising talent in Charm City, too. The rookie class was ultimately disappointing, but the likes of safety Malaki Starks, outside linebacker Mike Green, and linebacker Teddye Buchanan showed promise in year one. They may see second-year leaps with a defensive mastermind as head coach.
Ultimately, Minter hasn’t proved anything yet. But once Week 1 of the 2026 regular season gets underway, he’ll have his chance to prove himself and transform this abysmal defense.