The Baltimore Ravens have long been a breeding ground for elite defensive minds, and if you needed any more proof, look no further than what Chuck Pagano just said about Zach Orr. Pagano, a 64-year-old veteran coach with decades of NFL experience, is back in Baltimore as an assistant and has already been blown away by Orr’s command of the defense.
Think about that for a second. Pagano has coached and coordinated defenses at the highest level for longer than Orr's been alive, and just a few weeks into his return, he’s already praising a 32-year-old in his second year as a defensive coordinator. That speaks volumes. This isn’t just some “coach speak” fluff—Pagano has no reason to gas up Orr unless he truly believes it. And based on what he’s seen, Orr is taking complete control of the Ravens’ defensive operation.
When a former head coach who led an AFC Championship team is saying you’re a great teacher, that’s not something to brush off. Orr is already getting his new additions, like Pagano, up to speed, showcasing just how much he’s grown since taking over as Baltimore’s DC in 2024.
Zach Orr already has Chuck Pagano taking notes
Pagano spoke about Orr’s leadership and ability to teach on The Final Drive with Garrett Downing, and his words were glowing:
64-year-old Chuck Pagano on how 32-year-old Zach Orr is acclimating new members of Baltimore's defense staff:
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) February 19, 2025
"Zach's doing a great job with myself. ... Zach's taking us through the cutups. We're starting with the fronts & coverages and we're going through everything A to Z.… pic.twitter.com/1gIcPW2oCh
"Zach's doing a great job with myself. ... Zach's taking us through the cutups. We're starting with the fronts & coverages and we're going through everything A to Z. That's been a great process. He's doing a great job of teaching us."
This is a coach who has worked with legends—Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney—sitting in a Ravens defensive meeting room, learning from Zach Orr. That’s not normal. That’s special.
It’s also another indicator that Orr is a future head coach in the making. The Ravens’ defense started off slow last season, but by the time the playoffs rolled around, it was one of the best in the NFL. Orr’s ability to adapt, teach, and elevate the players around him has already earned him national recognition—he was recently named to The Athletic’s 50 Under 40 list for rising NFL stars.
Pagano’s praise confirms what many around the league are already seeing—Orr is one of the fastest-rising defensive minds in football. If the Ravens' defense dominates again in 2025, it’s only a matter of time before Orr starts getting head coaching interviews. For now, though, Baltimore is lucky to have him.