Even after firing John Harbaugh and clearing house with most of his coaching staff, the Baltimore Ravens are going to lean into the same philosophy that they’ve always gone by: Play like a Raven. The hiring of Jesse Minter made it clear that the organization wants to maintain some of its existing identity as it enters a new era, but it has also made it clear that adjustments must be made to adapt to the new age of the NFL and bounce back from a painful 2025 campaign.
Obviously, it all starts with Minter. The former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator has proven himself as one of the best young coaches in the sport and rightfully earned a huge promotion. However, there are also innovative coordinators ready to take charge and steer Baltimore back in the right direction in 2026.
New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver may fly under people’s radars because he will not be calling the plays on defense. Still, it’s quickly become clear that he will be essential to the operations this upcoming season. Minter highlighted Weaver’s role and importance to the team in a recent press conference.
“I was looking for a leader and somebody who can run that room. I know I’m not going to be able to be in there quite as much as I was as just the defensive coordinator,” Minter said. “The leadership piece, the knowledge piece…There’s so many great qualities of him, knowing the surroundings, knowing what it means to be a Raven, knowing how we’re trying to rebrand that a little bit and make it a new age way to play like a Raven. I’m super confident in Anthony’s ability to lead our defense.”
While coordinators who don’t hold play-calling duties don’t get as much shine, Minter’s words make it known that Weaver is the perfect man to hold that position with the Ravens. It’ll be about setting a tone and evolving the Ravens’ DNA that they look to play by.
Jesse Minter hopes he and Anthony Weaver can evolve the Ravens’ playstyle
There used to be something different about suiting up in the purple and black on defense. Just by the appearance and environment, it would strike fear into opposing offenses. However, in 2024 and 2025, under former defensive coordinator Zach Orr, the Ravens lost their defensive identity. They were horrendous during that stretch and will need some powerful voices in the building to change that. Minter and Weaver sound like the perfect duo.
Minter mentioned the pairing between himself and Weaver should work really well from a schematic standpoint. During their time as defensive coordinators from 2024 to 2025, they ran similar systems. Minter had his Chargers defense rolling as a top unit in the NFL, while Weaver led a strong unit with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 (2025 was a bust, but mainly due to a significant loss of talent).
Everyone knows what Minter can do. There’s a reason he was possibly the most sought-after head coaching candidate of this cycle. However, Weaver’s no slouch either. He was also a head coaching candidate for a few vacancies, including the Baltimore Ravens. His defenses have flashed, but it’s his traits as a leader of men that have fans so excited.
After being hired by Baltimore less than two weeks ago, Weaver has already produced some soundbites that have fans ready to run through a wall. His expectations from his defensive unit this year scream the stuff you’d see from the 2000s era of the Ravens defense, and it’s the way he articulates those expectations that should have players motivated and amped to get next season underway.
The Ravens’ coaching staff still has a ton to prove, and the expectations in Baltimore are always sky high. However, it sounds like the front office and Minter have put the right pieces together to solve the Super Bowl puzzle. In 2026, Weaver could quickly reveal himself as an X-factor.