OTL: Jesse Minter, Breath of Fresh Air

Last week I noted how Tuesdays seemed sacred for Maxx Crosby news. This week, there was just one update, as Jesse Minter spoke publicly on it at the 2026 NFL Owners Meetings:

“We were super excited about the thought of Maxx Crosby. We were disappointed it didn’t work.”

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter joins NFL Live to discuss Baltimore’s pursuit of Maxx Crosby and where the team goes from here. pic.twitter.com/kpq52sPDZY

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 31, 2026

With the saga hopefully in the rearview mirror, we can finally turn our attention to the many unanswered questions that lie ahead for Minter and company. But first, fans are right to acknowledge the sheer difference in tone he has compared to former HC John Harbaugh:

I’m going to be honest, listening to Jesse Minter instead of John Harbaugh is so refreshing. A new voice.

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) March 31, 2026

Jesse Minter is very much a breath of fresh air to a fanbase that had been wrapped in the emissions of John Harbaugh’s gaslighting for too long.

I can’t wait to see how the Ravens march forward under his leadership! https://t.co/SorfUR3B5T

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) March 31, 2026

While I think it’s harsh to say Harbaugh was straight up gaslighting Ravens fans, I do think it’s fair to be excited about a new voice in the room. After all, even before Baltimore fell to 8-9 and missed the playoffs, there were people thinking the message had run stale.

Minter met with the media frequently on Tuesday, and in doing so, he answered a number of those questions fans have.

First and foremost, it was fun to hear him describe what ‘Play like a Raven’ means to him:

Jesse Minter shares it’s not necessarily what you play it’s how you play it, the Ravens won’t do some of the same things this season that they did last.

The ‘Play like a Raven’ mantra might be back folks! pic.twitter.com/XmDXyi8djN

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) March 31, 2026

To help instill that mentality, Minter highlighted that full-season captains could be in play. This would be a departure from prior seasons but could absolutely be a welcome change with fans looking forward to any and all differences from the prior regime.

Meanwhile, we know Minter helped lead the defensive side of the ball to great production next year. To do that, however, he’ll need a strong pass rush. Though things fell through with the pairing of Crosby and Trey Hendrickson, Minter expressed real enthusiasm for rising 2^nd Year EDGE Mike Green.

“I got a lot of confidence in @Mikegreen42021.” pic.twitter.com/vaD1VAHDcc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 31, 2026

Similarly, Chris Cooper outlines how Green can benefit from Hendrickson’s presence alone:

Jesse Minter on the impact of adding Trey Hendrickson:

“Often times when you have a guy on one side, it creates even more opportunities for the guy on the other side…Mike [Green] should be very excited.”@ChrisCooper_NFL broke it down here
pic.twitter.com/OgM2apxzvG

— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) March 31, 2026

On the other side of the trenches, Ravens fans are all over the interior rebuild. To no surprise, Minter didn’t clarify much about whether starters are already in the building, but did note that the depth chart means little this time of year:

Asked whether the team currently has a starting center on the roster, Minter said they are excited about a few of the OL who were added but noted that late-March depth charts don’t mean much and the Ravens are still adding.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 31, 2026

Stone questions a Round 1 approach to Guard below, but Minter’s words make me doubt that anything is off limits. If Vega Ioane or Spencer Fano are the BPA, they’ll be the pick:

I need to take another look at John Simpson contract, but it feels like they limited themselves with that signing. If we take Vega, I don’t see a way he starts unless it’s at center which would be bad.

If they go Fano, he could start at center but was the point in switching the… https://t.co/HwRrNfeKJz

— STONE (@stone_2x) March 31, 2026

Olaivavega ‘Vega’ Ioane is the most pro-ready offensive lineman in his class. He’s built like a classic A gap mauler; broad shoulders, good arm length for the interior, big hands, thick hips and thighs. He spent his entire four years at State College, starting 32 of 40 games he… pic.twitter.com/x0nHIQmmWw

— Scouts Vision (@ScoutsVision) March 31, 2026

Olaivavega ‘Vega’ Ioane the past two seasons:

808 Snaps
1 QB Hit Allowed
0 Sacks Allowed

Stud on the interior. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/8PPDk70Y38

— Scouts Vision (@ScoutsVision) March 31, 2026

In terms of skill positions, both the TE and WR spots are in question, with Mock Drafts seeming to like Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq being a possible landing spot (or team to jump) in the NFL Draft. Similarly, WR could be targeted in Free Agency or in April:

New Mock! No trades pic.twitter.com/Srpuui9VEb

— DraftNerd (@TALKINGBALL1) March 31, 2026

Mock Draft 3.0

featuring multiple trades…

including the Cowboys trading up with the Browns for a key defender

READ for full logic for every pick:https://t.co/MqN2T9xXsB pic.twitter.com/97y4aTlfXw

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 31, 2026

The top 3 teams expected to have interest in Stefon Diggs :#Ravens #Titans #Chiefs

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 31, 2026

PFSN’s Ian Cummings predicts the Ravens will select Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II in his latest mock draft.

He is coming off:
• 62 catches
• 1,017 yards
• 9 TDs

He could be a true downfield weapon for Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/d5pkLNic6y

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@RavenNationLIVE) March 30, 2026

Interestingly, Minter seemed to offer more openness to the idea of bringing in TEs, supporting WR Rashod Bateman while highlighting the major role TEs will play in OC Declan Doyle’s offense. Smoke or fire?

Jesse Minter:

“I got a lot of confidence in Rashod Bateman. … He’s disappointed in how the year went. I know he’s hungry. He’s ready to get back to what he is.”

via @Ravens pic.twitter.com/lICLoGG6Qt

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) March 31, 2026

Minter said TE will be a major part of offense and noted again about of time between now and September to add to the group with Mark Andrews their only experienced player after losing Likely and Kolar.

— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) March 31, 2026

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Minter commented on whether Jackson will show for an earlier start to the offseason:

Ravens HC Jesse Minter on if he thinks Lamar Jackson will be in Baltimore for some of the team’s offseason program

“I know Lamar [Jackson]‘s excited. I think he is excited about some of the changes. We’ve had a lot of good connection points, but the offseason program is… pic.twitter.com/g727Y5dTMd

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 31, 2026

It’s key to get the two-time MVP on board early with what Minter’s trying to preach. That said, Kalshi considers Jackson an early favorite to win a third such award in 2026:

Lamar Jackson has the best chance of winning NFL MVP in the 2026 NFL season with Justin Herbert closing in. pic.twitter.com/BsSdAcUrRT

— Kalshi Football (@KalshiFB) March 31, 2026

All around, Minter’s voice is being received well in league circles. If Kalshi and Peter Schrager have anything right, it should translate to a fun season:

Early NFL Playoff Odds, via Kalshi:

80-90% — BUF, PHI
70-80% — BAL, LAR, LAC, SF
65-70% — JAX, KC, NE, DET, SEA,
60-65% — GB, DEN, TB
50-60% — CHI, CIN, DAL
40-50% — MIN, IND
30-40% — WSH, NO, NYG, CAR
20-30% — TEN, ATL, PIT, CLE
Sub-20% — NYJ, LV, ARI, MIA pic.twitter.com/z3zyztHq3g

— Kalshi Sports (@KalshiSports) March 31, 2026

“The Baltimore Ravens felt the impact of missing the playoffs and that went from the top to the bottom..

I believe that there is a freshness in that building and they’re gonna be very good” ~ @PSchrags #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/5px5oSFOzZ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 31, 2026

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