Jesse Minter is the new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, and he has been working hard to establish his ideas with the team.

The long John Harbaugh era finally came to an end in early 2026, with the Super Bowl winning coach and the franchise parting ways. The Ravens finished the season with an 8-9 record and failed to make the playoffs. It was time for a change.

After interviews and rounds of speculation, former LA Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter was hired as Harbaugh’s replacement. He has been settling in to life in Baltimore, and here is a look at the notable comments he has made early into his tenure…

A desire to return to Baltimore

Jesse Minter was on the Ravens’ staff between 2017 and 2020, and he was clear that returning to Baltimore was his clear first choice.

“When this job opened, this became the one for me, and this was the one that I wanted… Knowing the history, knowing the tradition, knowing the spine of the organization, kind of what it’s built on, there was no better place for me.”

Connection with players

When discussing his plans for his staff, Minter made clear that he wanted to make hires to prioritize relationship-building with the players.

“I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship-builders and schematic expertise, but most importantly guys that the players believe in, that they’re willing to dive deep and build really strong relationships with the players.”

On helping Lamar Jackson

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson took a step backward in 2025 from his previous MVP-winning form. Minter believes that establishing the team’s identity is key to getting Jackson back to his best.

“Helping him become the best version of himself, creating a team identity that allows him to thrive, which he’s already proven to be an elite, elite, the best player in the National Football League.

“I think he’s done a great job leading the offense in the offseason, learning, being willing to try things, do different things and learn new terminology. I know he’s very excited about where we’re headed.”

Calling plays

Jesse Minter says that his play-calling ability was one the reasons he landed the job in Baltimore, and his confidence is at an all-time high.

“I think that’s a strength of mine… I think that’s one of the reasons I’m sitting here, but I also think it’s my leadership qualities.

“I have a really good process, I feel, to do what I need to do to be ready to call the game but also have the ability to be the head coach and to impact the entire roster.”

Minter hints that he plans to help the Baltimore Ravens evolve in the modern NFL, while staying true to their identity of hard-playing, defensive football.

“I think there’s a foundational way that the Ravens play, that we need to play like. But I also think that there’s a new age and a new way to do things. That’s the reason we’re all sitting up here. I think it’ll be up to everybody watching us to see what’s different about it.

“I feel like the culture is what the culture is here… I feel like it’s going to be a family here. They’re going to expect you to work hard, and that’s how football should be.”

On Kyle Hamilton

Two-time All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton is a player who Jesse Minter is very excited to work with, and he wants to maximize his impact.

“Kyle is a weapon; he’s a position-less defensive player that I would classify as a weapon on defense. As much as you can do to get a guy like Kyle near the point of attack, I think is what you try to do as a designer, play-caller. Could not be more thrilled to be able to work with Kyle.”

The center dilemma

The Ravens lost starting center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency and do not have a standout solution. Jesse Minter has explained that he plans to experiment, and see who can best adjust to his scheme.

“That’s going to be one where you may see somebody different out there every day. It’s not necessarily a depth chart competition at this point. I would say it’s more of a rotation piece to make sure guys know where they’re at.”

On the AFC North

Baltimore is in a competitive division with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, and Minter is placing a high priority on these match-ups.

“I don’t want to lose to anybody in our division. Yeah, I hate them, in a sense, like, I respect the rivalry.

“Those are the teams you need to beat to be successful… There’s just a higher level of priority on those teams. When you operate, when you’re building your systems, it’s to be able to win those games.”

On John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh had been the Baltimore Ravens head coach between 2008 and 2026, a span of 18 years. While improvements are required, Jesse Minter says he does not plan to tear down everything that Harbaugh built.

“Take the foundation in place and build on it, make it better, put my own spin on it and not try to be John Harbaugh, not try to be Jim Harbaugh. Be myself, connect with everybody, make it about all of us.”

On Declan Doyle

Minter will be working closely with Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle and he is already excited about the fit.

“We see football the same way and what it takes to be successful when it comes to creating standards, being very detailed, and doing things at a high level. He’s been phenomenal to work with so far.

“He’s a connector, he’s a collaborator, and he’s creative. He’s got a great vision for what our offense should look like. I am very excited about him and his ability to lead our offense.”