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Newly hired Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said he's looking forward to building a relationship, as well as a team around quarterback Lamar Jackson during his introductory press conference on Thursday (January 29) via ESPN.
"I just look forward to connecting with him, helping him become the best version of himself, creating a team identity that allows him to thrive, which he's already proven to be one of the best players in the National Football League," Minter said. "[I want to] put a team around him that allows him to reach that ultimate goal of bringing a Super Bowl back to Baltimore."
Jackson, a two-time Associated Press NFL MVP, was reported to have chemistry issues with former head coach John Harbaugh's staff late in his coaching tenure, sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN. Harbaugh was fired on January 6, with a team source claiming it was no coincidence that it happened as the Ravens needed Jackson to reduce his $74.5 million salary cap hit.
Minter said he's had multiple conversations with Jackson since being hired by the Ravens last week.
"It's been great to get to know him," Minter said via ESPN. "I think relationships take time. And so, you don't become the head coach of the Ravens and expect to have a deep relationship with anybody. Those take time. We've been working towards that already. We've had wonderful conversations, look forward to many, many more."
Jackson was limited to 13 appearances in 2025 due to back and hamstring issues, throwing 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 192 of 302 passing, while also recording 349 yards and two touchdowns on 67 rushing attempts, with the Ravens going 6-7 in his 13 starts. Minter had previously worked on the Ravens' staff under Harbaugh for four seasons before later stints as a defensive coordinator with his predecessor's brother, Jim Harbaugh, at the University of Michigan (2002-2023) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2024-2025).