The Baltimore Ravens 2025 demise was largely due to poor coaching. You can’t really deny that. Sure, the team performed horribly, and came up short in big moments, but the game-planning was very questionable and incredibly inconsistent.
The most apparent of those issues came on defense. From top to bottom, it seemed like the entire unit was out of whack. Then-defensive coordinator Zach Orr couldn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together, and one area he couldn’t solve for the life of him was the pass rush. It was simply agonizing to watch.
Baltimore’s pass rush contributed to just 30 sacks last season. That abysmal mark was tied for third-worst in the NFL. As the Ravens turn over a new leaf, Mike Green revealed what he thinks went wrong, offering a brutally honest take on the 2025 coaching staff on an episode of The Lounge Podcast.
"“I just feel like the philosophy that was coached to us last year probably wasn’t the best for us. I think you kind of have to shape around your pass rushers and what they’re good at. When we get in certain situations where we can’t attack the quarterback…that takes a lot away from your pass-rushing ability. That versus now, Jesse [Minter], when he was at the Chargers, that kind of speaks for itself…When he came over here, and we’re going over philosophies, it lined up to what a lot of us bring to the table.”"Mike Green
Baltimore Ravens’ young defender’s brutally honest take brings hope for 2026
Mike Green’s comments don’t really come out of left field. It may be a bit surprising that he got so blunt about what went on last year, but in reality, most fans kind of would’ve assumed this. I mean, it was clear as day how bad the coaching was, and when your leading sack-getter tallied just five sacks across a 17-game slate, there’s a deeper issue lying there than just a lack of talent.
Thankfully, Jesse Minter should be ready to put an end to the pass rush woes. He’s a defensive mastermind who knows how to get the most out of his guys, especially those rushing the passer. Odafe Oweh’s breakout with the Los Angeles Chargers after posting a whopping zero sacks with the Ravens in five games last season is a prime example of that. If Minter can work his magic, a fierce defense should be on the way.
And Minter’s going to have all the talent in the world to work with. He was already going to have guys like Green, who possesses lethal quickness and bend off the edge, and Tavius Robinson, who’s a versatile piece to plug almost anywhere on the defensive line. Baltimore gave him a couple more game-changers, though.
The Ravens made possibly the biggest signing of the entire free agency cycle by inking Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract. Hendrickson will bring a massive jolt to Charm City and should be the All-Pro pass rusher that Minter and his defensive staff need. The organization also drafted Zion Young in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a rookie who plays with the type of relentlessness and tenacity that every coach will love. Clearly, the pass rush room is much deeper.
Looking at Baltimore’s defense now, there’s an undeniable influx of talent. More than anything, though, Minter developing those players who disappointed last year could make a more eye-opening impact. It was obvious that the last coaching staff had countless issues, and through OTAs, it sounds like Minter is already leaps and bounds ahead of them.
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