Jesse Minter's odds of leaving Chargers increase thanks to NFL insider

LA Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter continues to gain support in head coaching availability conversations for next season. Last week on "The Pat McAfee Show", Jim Harbaugh laid out his case for why Minter deserves head coach consideration next offseason:

"Well, we're probably gonna have to just enjoy Jesse Minter while we have him," Harbaugh said. "I mean, I have a feeling he's gonna be a head coach next year. We'll be competing against him."

The ringing endorsement shouldn't have surprised anyone as Harbaugh has always stood up for the promotions and opportunities of his coaches and players. However, it fueled speculation that Minter might just be a one-and-done DC in Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, Minter earned a spot on NFL insider Tom Pelissero's top young coaches list along with names like Detroit's Ben Johnson and Miami's Anthony Weaver. This was Pelissero's section on the 41 year old Chargers' defensive coordinator's candidacy:

"A onetime wide receiver at tiny Mount St. Joseph University in Delhi, Ohio, Minter is part of the Michigan-Baltimore-Harbaugh connection that helped land Mike Macdonald the Seahawks' head-coaching job in January," Pelissero wrote. "Like Macdonald, Minter worked under John Harbaugh with the Ravens (2017-2020) and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan (2022-23) before returning to the NFL and having one of the league's best defenses. The Chargers are No. 1 in fewest points allowed (14.5 per game), tied for No. 1 in goal-to-go efficiency (50%) and No. 2 on third down (32.3%) and in the red zone (40.9%). Minter has a track record. Players respect and love him. He doesn't pretend he knows everything and is willing to learn. Jim Harbaugh is already serving as Minter's head-coaching campaign manager in media interviews. That alone should land Minter a longer look come January."

There is a real chance Jesse Minter leaves the Chargers after 2024

With the shift of more defensive-minded candidates earning interview opportunities and eventual head coaching jobs last offseason, one has to wonder if Minter will have his pick of the litter from the available head coach openings. The shift of the current NFL has favored playcallers who have successfully punched back at previously surging levels of offense in the league.

Ten games in, Minter's defense still leads in scoring as Pelissero mentions. Both Minter's rushing and pass defenses by yardage rank in the top 11 and 12 of the league respectively.

Against a fierce Bengals' offense in the second half, the Chargers' defense was still able to bend and not break closer to the red zone. As Harbaugh put it after the game: "We were at our best when our best was needed. That's what I saw."

The next test for Minter's defense will be stopping two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson from putting on a show at SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles will take on Baltimore in the Harbaugh Bowl on Monday Night Football.