As the coaching carousel begins to take shape, the Los Angeles Chargers' chances of losing defensive coordinator Jesse Minter are only increasing.
Minter, who is wrapping up his second season back in the NFL after spending three years at the college level, is one of this cycle's hot head coaching candidates. He's led the Chargers defense to back-to-back years of dominance and has turned some heads in doing so.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans have already reached out to the organization regarding an interview. With the Baltimore Ravens' firing of John Harbaugh, the chances of Minter's departure seem to have gone up exponentially given Minter's history with that organization
However, there still remains a chance that Baltimore throws Los Angeles a lifeline by opting to take the unexpected route in their coaching search.
The Ravens could choose to go in a different direction, bringing Minter back to the Chargers
Although Harbaugh's firing was shocking, it becomes somewhat understandable when considered in the context of how disappointing the past few seasons have been for Baltimore.
Their coaching search, therefore, will represent an attempt to capitalize on the talent that is present on their roster. Minter would be the best candidate in this coaching cycle to accomplish that on the defensive side of the ball.
Yet the Ravens also have an 29-year-old, MVP-caliber quarterback who, in many ways, still needs to be fully unlocked. This season, the Ravens were 27th in total passing yards and 10th in net passing yards per attempts.
Compared to an absolutely dominant 2024 season, these numbers are discouraging.
On the one hand, defensive intensity is such a massive part of the Ravens' identity that it's hard to imagine them not giving Minter serious consideration. Baltimore likely is seeking out fresh ideas after 18 seasons under Harbaugh.
There are other factors at play here, though. Could the Ravens choose to go with an offensive-minded head coach such as Kevin Stefanski in order to maximize what they have left of Lamar Jackson? Their best route to a Super Bowl could be to finally give Jackson the weapons and the play-caller he needs on offense.
If the Ravens job were to become unavailable, Minter would be left with largely undesirable coaching opportunities this offseason. Both the Raiders and the Titans do not have strong defensive infrastructures in place, and both will likely be looking to develop young quarterbacks over the next few seasons.
Baltimore, therefore, could throw the Chargers a lifeline, enabling them to bring Minter back for another year.