The Pittsburgh Steelers’ current list of eight head coach candidates could be reduced to seven. According to reporter Jason La Canfora, Jesse Minter is the heavy favorite to become the Baltimore Ravens’ next head coach.

“Execs from multiple NFL front offices who are conducting head coaching searches believe the Ravens are moving close to a final decision and strongly anticipate Chargers DC Jesse Minter getting the job,” La Canfora tweeted. “The industry also expected Minter in BAL before Harbaugh was let go, FWIW”.

Execs from multiple NFL front offices who are conducting head coaching searches believe the Ravens are moving close to a final decision and strongly anticipate Chargers DC Jesse Minter getting the job. The industry also expected Minter in BAL before Harbaugh was let go, FWIW

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 21, 2026

It’s a logical conclusion given Minter’s strong ties to the organization. He spent 2017-2020 as a Ravens defensive assistant before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and following him to Los Angeles.

Pittsburgh held an initial virtual interview with Minter on Saturday, but there’s been no reports of a second meeting. Minter is scheduled to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders tomorrow before a follow-up in Baltimore Wednesday, but perhaps the Steelers understood he was going to take the Ravens’ job and didn’t bother to set up a more in-depth and in-person second visit.

Busy few days for Chargers DC Jesse Minter, who met in-person Tuesday with the Raiders in South Florida, then meets with the Ravens in-person today.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 21, 2026

Only 42 years old, Minter is regarded as a top defensive mind who’s produced excellent results the past four seasons. Two strong years at Michigan that brought one national title led him to the NFL. In 2024, the Chargers had the No. 1 scoring defense. In 2025, they finished top 10.

Minter has ties to Mike Tomlin. Jesse’s father, Rick, hired Tomlin while serving as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats in 1999. It sounds like instead of succeeding Tomlin, Minter will be competing against the Steelers come 2026 and beyond.

Minter would be the second candidate Pittsburgh’s interviewed to take a different job. Jeff Hafley, who the Steelers also held a virtual interview with over the weekend, accepted the Miami Dolphins’ job earlier this week.

That leaves Pittsburgh with seven known candidates, though the team is reportedly considering expanding its search: Mike McCarthy, Brian Flores, Chris Shula, Nate Scheelhaase, Anthony Weaver, Ejiro Evero, and Klay Kubiak. So far, only Weaver is known to have a second interview though Flores and McCarthy have face-to-face meetings set up. Flores met with the team yesterday while McCarthy is expected to be visiting today.