Hiring good coaches is paramount in the NFL. But the Los Angeles Chargers are learning the hard way that there is a price to pay for having too good an assistant coach. Jesse Minter just left the organization to be the Baltimore Ravens' head man, which was equal parts expected and brutal.
The Chargers have seemingly found an upgrade at offensive coordinator, if pen ever hits paper, by replacing Greg Roman with Mike McDaniel. But replacing Minter, who has been by Jim Harbaugh's side for several years now, will be much harder than most think.
Los Angeles is an attractive job for several reasons, and as such, the Chargers should have promising young defensive minds lining up to be Minter's replacement. But the first interview request that the organization made leaves plenty to be desired.
Chargers request to interview Ravens DC Zach Orr for DC vacancy
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers have requested to interview Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Los Angeles could do far worse than Orr, but it could also do much, much better.
Orr led a Baltimore defense that was top-10 in both total yards and points allowed in 2024, but the unit significantly regressed in 2025. Yes, several injuries plagued the unit, but great coaches find a way to still have success in spite of that. Minter always did.
Baltimore was 24th in the NFL in total yards allowed and 18th in points allowed, which is a significant dropoff from the year prior. Ravens fans were calling for his job at several points during the season, as the team gave up 30 or more points on five occasions, and 40 or more points twice.
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It should be noted that Orr's defense improved quite a bit toward the middle part of the season, but they started to slow back down in the final three weeks. They were able to get takeaways in bunches, but ended up near the league average.
Another daunting component of Orr's résumé is that he has never led a good passing defense. The Ravens ranked 31st and 30th in passing yards allowed over his two seasons in Baltimore, and things wouldn't be any easier in the AFC West, going up against Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix.
Look, Chargers fans see the connection. Coaches bounce back and forth between Los Angeles, Baltimore and Michigan like crazy. But Jim Harbaugh has a duty to pick the best defensive coordinator possible, not just the one that he knows best or may be easiest to get.