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The Ravens gave the final push to close the door on the John Harbaugh era Wednesday as each player who stepped up to the microphone after offseason workouts took time to share his final thoughts.
Tight end Mark Andrews began his press conference by saying he felt blessed to have played for Harbaugh for so long.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers said he was thankful to him for drafting him three years ago.
Safety Kyle Hamilton said once the shock of the news wore off, he took a moment to reminisce on the good times.
All three wished him luck with the New York Giants even if, as Hamilton joked, he stole a lot of their teammates in free agency.
And then each turned their focus to the future.
As the Ravens offseason program kicks off, here’s what the players, along with strength and conditioning coordinator Scott Elliott, had to say:
Jesse Minter presents a mostly fresh start
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter speaks during the NFL scouting combine in February. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Not to discredit the depth and detail of the coaching search led by Ravens leadership, but Jesse Minter seemed like a “shoo-in” for the job, Hamilton said.
He is both “new and not new,” Hamilton said.
Even in conversations about his role on the defense, Hamilton said Minter has his own twists but it’s not anything all that different from how Hamilton has been used in past years.
Both Minter and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have confronted the defense’s shortcomings, Hamilton said. While he knows Weaver from his previous tenure in Baltimore, Hamilton met Minter for the first time in person Monday. He’s only had a few days to form an impression but said Minter keeps players engaged in meetings that are basically a masterclass.
“He cares a lot about the process, the learning process, especially,” Hamilton said. “… He explains it in a very elementary way that kind of can become a masters level once we get to camp and the beginning of the season.”
As a defensive player, Hamilton will have more interactions with Minter, who will call defensive plays, but the offensive players said they’ve liked Minter’s energy so far.
“These guys are fired up,” Andrews said of the new staff.
Flowers added that it’s a new opportunity for everyone to start over.
Players and Elliott have noted Minter’s attention to detail. Elliott said he’s emphasized developing an individual approach for each player and finding ways to carry the work in the strength and conditioning program onto the field.
As the Ravens went about their coaching search, players from Minter’s former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, texted Hamilton to put in a good word, he said. Expectations are high.
Flowers, like many others, compared Minter to former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
“Everybody here,” Flowers said. “Everybody want to prove something. Everybody want to take that next step. Like coach Mike Macdonald went to Seattle, won a Super Bowl in two years. We trying to get that done. We trying to get that done this year, though.”
Lamar Jackson present and accounted for
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scores in the second quarter against the Pittsburg Steelers on Dec. 7, 2025. (Jerry Jackson/The Banner)
As a fellow South Florida native, Flowers gets to put in extra work with quarterback Lamar Jackson in the offseason.
But that means he gets asked every year about Jackson’s mentality, he said. And just like every year, he feels like Jackson’s “always ready.”
“He even more ready this year,” Flowers said. “He’s excited about the coaching staff. He excited about getting to work with coach Declan [Doyle]. So yeah, he ready to go. He want to finish. He want to get a ring.”
When asked at the annual league meeting eight days ago about Jackson’s expected participation, Minter was noncommittal, saying “We’ll see who all walks in the door” on April 6.
When Monday came, the Ravens posted a video of the star quarterback’s arrival. Elliott said the turnout has been “wonderful.”
“Couldn’t be more excited for the body of work we’ll get to see on Sundays,” Elliott said when asked about his communication with Jackson this offseason.
Nnamdi Madubuike’s back in town
Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike stands in the middle of the defensive huddle during training camp on Aug. 19, 2025. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
While the Ravens dodge questions about Nnamdi Madubuike’s status after he suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2, the Pro Bowl defensive lineman has been posting pictures and videos of him working out.
Elliott wasn’t able to speak on Madubuike’s outlook, but he was able to address his conditioning.
“Beeks is working his tail off,” said Elliott, who has been in constant communication with Madubuike. “And as I’m sure you’ve seen online, he is in great shape.”
NotesFlowers, who is in the fourth year of his rookie contract, said he is letting his agent handle discussions on an extension. He said he would like to stay in Baltimore.Flowers and Andrews described Doyle’s new scheme as “explosive” and “electric,” respectively. Andrews said Doyle has been a really good teacher.Both Hamilton and Elliott have been impressed with the Ravens’ biggest free agent signing, defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Elliott said he’s an elite physical specimen, while Hamilton said he expects him to “sack the quarterback a lot.”