Congratulations are in order for former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who was named head coach of the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday afternoon.
This comes after Minter spent two stellar seasons in Los Angeles, elevating the defense beyond its obstensible talent level and placing them among the NFL's premier units. Now, Minter will be faced with the challenge of getting Lamar Jackson and company over the hump that John Harbaugh was unable to.
For the Chargers, however, this represents an inevitable and painful reality. With Minter's success, he was always going to earn a head coaching job at some point.
They must now determine who is going to helm their defense. The decision could prove to be era-defining.
Jesse Minter leaves a massive void in the Chargers' coaching staff
Los Angeles started off their offseason strong with their rumored hire of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator. He's widely known as a dynamic play-caller, and there is significant hope he will be able to elevate the offense beyond what Greg Roman was able to accomplish.
However, Minter's departure leaves the Chargers facing a deeply problematic scenario. So much of their defensive success has been based on Minter's zone-heavy scheme. There is certainly a dangerous possibility of regression in 2026.
In two seasons under Minter, Los Angeles finished 11th and 5th in total defense, respectively. This was accomplished with one of the lowest-paid defenses in the league.
There is talent on that side of the ball, to be sure, but Minter was the one who elevated them above and beyond their pay grade.
Any hope the Chargers have of vaulting themselves into Super Bowl contention rests on the dominance of their defense. They must now seek out a coordinator who is capable of achieving what Minter did. That's undeniably a tall task.
Steve Clinkscale, who has been the defensive backs coach for the Chargers for two seasons and worked under Minter for four, is an obvious choice. He is familiar with both Minter's scheme and the organization, and he should get a long look for a promotion.
There are external options as well. DeMarcus Covington, Zach Orr, and Jonathan Gannon, among others, all could be available.
With the offensive side of the ball likely set, Jim Harbaugh now has a colossal decision to make in seeking out Minter's replacement. It's something the Chargers knew was coming, and they are likely prepared for it.
But that doesn't make it hurt any less.