Not many teams clean house and return in March with Super Bowl expectations, but the Baltimore Ravens enter the 2026 season with a new coaching staff and some of the best championship oddsin the NFL. Jesse Minter takes over a roster built to compete immediately, while first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle inherits an attack led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Baltimore also added Trey Hendrickson to a defense featuring Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey and Nnamdi Madubuike.
The Ravens have the talent to win the AFC North and make a deep postseason run. Whether they reach that ceiling could depend on how they answer these five questions.
Can Jesse Minter immediately elevate the defense?
Baltimore didn’t hire Minter to oversee a rebuilding project. The Ravens believe his
defensive vision can help an already talented roster reach another level. Minter will be responsible for installing his system, managing games, and establishing a new culture while handling the demands that accompany his first head-coaching opportunity. Anthony Weaver will serve as defensive coordinator, but Minter is expected to remain heavily involved in the play calling.
Baltimore’s defense has stars at every level. The challenge is turning that talent into a disciplined, connected unit that can control games.
Will Declan Doyle’s offense maximize Lamar Jackson?
Jackson has described the new offense as a breath of fresh air and expressed excitement about its moving parts. Doyle’s system is expected to incorporate more snaps from under center, play-action concepts, misdirection and progression-based passing. The possibilities are exciting, but Doyle has never called plays during an NFL regular-season game. He must prove he can make adjustments, maintain balance, and consistently put Jackson in favorable situations.
If Jackson remains healthy and comfortable, Baltimore should again possess one of the league’s most dangerous offenses.
Can the rebuilt offensive line protect Jackson?
Few areas of Baltimore’s roster carry more uncertainty. Tyler Linderbaum’s departure created a significant hole at center, leaving Jovaughn Gwyn to enter Week 1 as the starter.
Ronnie Stanley remains a stabilizing presence at left tackle, and Roger Rosengarten continues to develop on the right side. Even so, the Ravens must replace Linderbaum and integrate new pieces across the interior.
Jackson’s mobility can cover occasional protection breakdowns. It cannot compensate for consistent pressure throughout an entire season.
Will the pass rush become a championship-level strength?
The addition of Trey Hendrickson changed the outlook of Baltimore’s defensive front. He gives the Ravens an established closer who can finish pressures and command additional attention from opposing protection schemes.
His presence should create more favorable opportunities for Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, Ethan Burke and the rest of Baltimore’s edge rotation. A healthy Nnamdi Madubuike would provide another disruptive presence on the interior, while Calais Campbell offers experience and versatility.
The Ravens have spent years searching for a pass rush that can take over postseason games. They may finally have one.
Can Baltimore finish the job in January?
The Ravens have regularly assembled talented teams, reached the playoffs, and entered seasons with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The remaining challenge is converting those opportunities into a championship. Baltimore doesn’t need to prove it can compete with the AFC’s best teams. It must show that it can execute during the most important moments against opponents such as Buffalo, Kansas City, and Cincinnati.
Turnovers, penalties and missed opportunities become magnified in January. The Ravens have enough talent to overcome occasional mistakes during the regular season. That margin becomes much smaller in the playoffs.
Minter inherited a roster built to win immediately. If Doyle unlocks another level from Jackson, the offensive line holds up, and Baltimore’s pass rush meets expectations, the Ravens should remain firmly in the Super Bowl conversation.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Five big questions that will define the Ravens’ entire 2026 season
