Essentials Inside The Story
- A familiar defensive voice is stepping away in Baltimore, forcing Jesse Minter to adjust earlier than expected
- As one respected veteran exits, the Ravens are rapidly reshaping their staff with fresh offensive-minded additions
- The message is clear: Baltimore is all-in on change
The Baltimore Ravens look busy building momentum under new head coach Jesse Minter. Since taking charge, Minter has focused heavily on strengthening the offensive side of the ball and continues to add fresh voices to his staff. However, amid all these additions, one experienced coach is preparing to walk away, forcing the franchise to brace for an unexpected change.
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According to Kevin Oestreicher, that change centers on a respected defensive figure: “Ravens senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano will not be staying on with the Ravens, per @AaronWilson_NFL.”
Ravens senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano will not be staying on with the Ravens, per @AaronWilson_NFL Pagano came out of coaching retirement to join John Harbaugh on his Baltimore staff last season
He further added, “Pagano came out of coaching retirement to join John Harbaugh on his Baltimore staff last season.”
Pagano originally stepped away from coaching in 2021 after his stint as the Bears’ defensive coordinator. Still, he found his way back to Charm City in January of last year, reconnecting with a franchise where he once worked from 2008 to 2011 as a secondary coach and defensive coordinator.
Ultimately, this exit carries weight because of Pagano’s long resume. At 65, he spent several seasons guiding the Ravens’ secondary before earning a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2011. Soon, he delivered his best season, when he led the defense to a 12–4 finish and another AFC title game appearance.
Shortly after, the Colts hired him as their head coach, where he spent six years before being fired last year. During this time, he guided the Colts to a 53–43 record, reached the playoffs three times, and even pushed them to an AFC Championship Game in 2014.
However, his most recent return did not deliver the same results. After coming back from a four-year retirement last season, he led the Ravens to a disappointing 8–9 record. Soon after, the franchise moved on from its head coach, and now Jesse Minter is at the helm.
Minter now must move forward without a familiar and proven defensive voice. He has already started strengthening his coaching staff.
Jesse Minter is targeting two new coaches
The Baltimore Ravens and Minter are still putting the final touches on their coaching staff. According to CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz, Baltimore hired Los Angeles Chargers pass game coordinator Marcus Brady. ESPN’s Pete Thamel also reported Duke defensive ends coach Harland Bower is heading to Baltimore as the new outside linebackers coach.
Brady previously spent two seasons with the Eagles as an assistant before joining the Bolts, and before that, he logged five years with the Colts, including two seasons as offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022.
Brady joins a crowded but experienced offensive room that includes quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford. In addition, Joe Lombardi serves as a senior offensive assistant, with Shawn Flaherty working closely as the assistant offensive line coach.
Meanwhile, Bower arrives from Duke, where he has coached since 2022, and his playing career included stops at Texas A&M, South Alabama, and Notre Dame.
So far, the Ravens’ offensive staff already looks steady, led by coordinator Declan Doyle, who is entering his second year in the role. While he spent last season with the Bears, the upcoming year will mark his first as the primary play caller in Charm City.
So, Minter and the Ravens are clearly going all in on building the ideal staff. The goal this offseason feels simple: give Lamar Jackson every possible advantage so the offense keeps humming, then continue reshaping a defense that still needs attention.