Will Ravens DC Mike Macdonald leave for a head coach position in Las Vegas?

The Baltimore Ravens are sitting pretty atop (almost) the NFL standings with a 6-2 record that could very well read 8-0 and in reality, only trailing the 7-1 Philadelphia Eagles.

The Las Vegas Raiders, on the other hand, are currently 3-5 and without a proper head coach in place. Yes, you read that right and that's correct, as the current man leading the Raiders ship is an interim coach.

After 25 games, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis reached a breaking point on Tuesday night, terminating head coach Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, and general manager Dave Ziegler, all fired on the spot.

The Raiders appointed linebackers coach Antonio Pierce as the interim head coach and elevated assistant general manager Champ Kelly to the interim general manager role.

The franchise later confirmed that they will enter a thorough search of new persons to take over the HC, GM, and OC positions starting next season, and rumors have been floating around about the Ravens potentially losing their defensive coach, Mike Macdonald, to a head coach opening ahead of the 2024 campaign.

"In Macdonald’s first season as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022, his unit was elite. It allowed just 18.5 points per game (third) and helped Baltimore make the playoffs despite quarterback Lamar Jackson suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the year. This year, the defense has been even better. It’s allowing just 15.1 points per game (first), 276.5 yards per game (second) and 4.2 yards per play (first). "

- Tashan Reed, The Athletic

In a story written by Tashan Reed of The Athletic on Nov. 1, the analyst highlighted 10 potential candidates to take over the head coach position. Reed included Macdonald, saying that under his guidance, the Ravens' defense was "elite," and that the unit "helped Baltimore make the playoffs despite quarterback Lamar Jackson suffering a season-ending knee injury late in [2022]."

"Macdonald has only been an NFL coordinator for two years, but with that sort of production, it won’t be long before he’s a head coach. Macdonald, 36, has held several roles across nine seasons with the Ravens and has been groomed by Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh. Macdonald has shown he’s someone who can orchestrate defenses that flat-out dominate. That’s something the Raiders haven’t had in a long time."

- Tashan Reed, The Athletic

Reed added that this year, the defense has been "even better," praising Macdonald's abilities and highlighting some interesting statistics.

"Macdonald has only been an NFL coordinator for two years," Reed pointed out. "But with that sort of production, it won’t be long before he’s a head coach."

Reed revealed "Macdonald has held several roles across nine seasons with the Ravens," adding that the DC "has been groomed by Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh."

It's starting to look more and more like the future of Macdonald in the NFL is away from Baltimore as the flowers haven't stopped going his way since the start of the season (and already last year). It's going to hurt, but until he see him depart we will be rooting mad for Macdonald to help Baltimore lift the SB and if the time comes for him to go, then he'll still get all of our support!

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