NFL Rumors: Intriguing Name Frontrunner To Become Ravens' Next Head Coach

The Baltimore Ravens head coach search is already tilting toward a familiar name, with Jesse Minter now sitting as the betting favorite in multiple markets to become the franchise’s next head coach. 

Baltimore has also requested an interview with the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator.

Jesse Minter is the early Ravens favorite

Oddsmakers have pushed Minter to the top of the board, with listings that put him ahead of other well known names in the mix. 

The momentum makes sense when you connect the dots. 

The #Ravens are requesting to interview #Chargers DC Jesse Minter for their vacant HC job, source said. An potentially important candidate.

Baltimore will interview former #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury and #Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver today. pic.twitter.com/wcwc9Tw1hY

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026

Minter started his NFL climb in Baltimore, working on the Ravens staff from 2017 to 2020, then went back to college and became a headline defensive coordinator again at Michigan before joining Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers. 

He also owns a major calling card from that Michigan run, serving as defensive coordinator for the 2023 College Football Playoff national champions.

Why Baltimore thinks Minter can change the vibe fast

The Chargers defense under Minter has had real league wide results, including a season where his unit led the NFL in scoring defense and followed it up by staying among the stronger groups in points and yards allowed.

Even the Chargers themselves have pointed to a second half surge in 2025 driven by Minter’s adjustments, with defensive efficiency jumping sharply after early season struggles. 

its almost suspicious how much jesse minter as the ravens next head coach makes sense pic.twitter.com/qalQLf3Vev

— Chambermade (@cad_chamberlain) January 8, 2026

For Baltimore, that matters because the Ravens are trying to steady the entire operation after moving on from John Harbaugh, and the next coach has to deliver structure quickly while keeping the locker room aligned around a championship window.

If the betting favorite label holds up, Minter’s pitch in Baltimore is pretty clean because he knows the building, he has proven he can build a top tier defense, and he is young enough to make it feel like a long term reset without a full rebuild. 

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images