When a new head coach is hired in the NFL, often times players and coaches from their former team will be brought along to their new organization. Since John Harbaugh was hired by the New York Giants a few weeks ago, for example, rumors have swirled that the Giants will attempt to sign some of the Baltimore Ravens’ unrestricted free agents this offseason.
Now that Jesse Minter is officially the Ravens’ new head coach, it’s worth wondering if he could attempt to advocate for any of his former players
to follow him to Baltimore. Minter had a lot of success with the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive coordinator over the past two seasons. Many Chargers’ defensive players have spoken highly of Minter and would likely love the opportunity to play for him again.
If there are free agents out of Los Angeles who would make for a good fit for the Ravens, it’s fair to assume Minter would advocate for the team to sign them. Who are some players that fall into this category in 2026? Let’s take a look.
EDGE Khalil Mack
Mack is the most high-profile name on this list as a nine-time Pro Bowler and multiple-time All-Pro representative. He’s played the past four seasons with the Chargers as he’s aged into his 30s and, despite declining athleticism and some injuries, has still maintained an effective level of play. In just 12 games played last season, Mack recorded 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 11 quarterback hits, and 23 pressures. He’s only two years removed from a 17-sack season in 2023 where he also posted 22 quarterback hits and 21 tackles for loss.
Mack is the same age as Kyle Van Noy (34), who is an unrestricted free agent. If the Ravens opt to not re-sign Van Noy but still want an experienced veteran in the edge rusher room, Mack would be a good replacement that can provide a more consistent impact. He’d be more expensive to sign but still may not come at a significant price tag given his age on the open market.
EDGE Odafe Oweh
This would be quite an interesting storyline. The Ravens traded Oweh, a former 2021 first-round pick, to the Chargers at the midseason deadline this past year. Oweh may not be open to a return to Baltimore, and similarly the Ravens might not have real interest in bringing him back. However, given how well he played in Los Angeles under Minter after being traded, it’s a proposition worth exploring.
Oweh had a strangely quiet start to the 2025 season with the Ravens after performing at a career-best level in 2024. Then, he flipped a switch after joining the Chargers. In 12 games playing for Minter’s defense, Oweh recorded 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, and 19 pressures. He was disruptive as a pass-rusher and capped it off with three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Still just 27 years old, Oweh is in his athletic prime and there’s reason to believe he could ascend to another level or two. The Ravens would likely have to pay a premium to sign him back, but Minter may have high interest in having Oweh play for him again after his success last season.
S Tony Jefferson
Another familiar face in Baltimore, Jefferson is also a candidate for a Ravens reunion and perhaps a more likely one. Jefferson, who is 33 years old, last played for the Ravens in 2021. After announcing his retirement two years later, he decided to return to the NFL and joined the Chargers in 2024 — the same time that Minter was hired as their defensive coordinator. Last year, the 11-year veteran not only showed that he has plenty left in the tank but put forth one of the better seasons of his career.
In 13 games and eight starts, Jefferson nabbed a career-high four interceptions and seven pass breakups with 57 tackles. His passer rating when targeted was just 62.3, which is also the best mark of his career as well. Jefferson has long been known as more of a strong safety who thrived in the box, but he was great in pass coverage in 2025.
Jefferson was a fan favorite in Baltimore and has raved about Minter as a coach in Los Angeles. The Ravens will need to add a third safety to pair with Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, and Jefferson is an experienced veteran who also plays well on special teams.
DT Teair Tart
Like Jefferson, Tart has also played the last two seasons with the Chargers. Prior to that, he played 3.5 seasons with the Tennessee Titans before being traded to Houston halfway through 2023. Tart never missed a game for the Chargers and started all 17 matchups in 2025. The 28-year-old defensive tackle would help fill a positional need for the Ravens, who badly need reinforcements on the front seven this offseason.
Tart does not bring a ton of pass-rushing juice to the table, which the Ravens are missing on the defensive line. For his career, Tart has 3.5 sacks and 29 pressures in 81 total games (53 starts). He’d certainly not be anything near a 100% replacement of Nnamdi Manubuike. However, Tart has been solid against the run throughout his career and would bring another sturdy veteran presence to the Ravens’ defensive line room. He’s still in his athletic prime and is much younger than the likes of John Jenkins and Brent Urban.
CB Benjamin St-Juste
St-Juste was a third-round pick by the Washington Commanders back in 2021, where he played the first four seasons of his career. After an up-and-down tenure in Washington, he was signed by the Chargers to a one-year deal this past free agency period to join Minter’s defense. St. Juste only started two games and played 356 defensive snaps, the lowest mark of his career in any season where he played 10+ games.
As a depth piece in the Chargers’ secondary, though, St. Juste had a solid overall campaign. He completion percentage (53.5%), receiving yards per reception allowed (10.3), and passer rating when targeted (68.3) were all the best marks of his career. His PFF grade of 77.0 also ranked 8th among all qualified cornerbacks.
The Ravens have invested a lot of resources at the position in recent years, but still enter this offseason needing to sure up their cornerback room. Marlon Humphrey’s performance declined in 2025, Chidobe Awuzie is a free agent, and the Ravens have no other established corners outside of Nate Wiggins. Someone like St-Juste could be a nice depth addition and he’s only 28 years old still, too.
