Lamar Jackson Hyped as NFL's 'Best Player' by Ravens HC Jesse Minter in New Video

Newly-hired Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter has been a fan of Lamar Jackson for years before becoming his coach.

Minter, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, recently responded to being shown a clip from 2024 in which he called Jackson "the most electric quarterback in the history of the National Football League."

"I've had some great talks with Lamar. Really look forward to continuing to build a great relationship with him," Minter said in an interview posted Thursday by the Ravens. "He is the best player in the National Football League. It's been proven. He's won the awards that show that. It's our job to just continue to help him grow, and help him build.

"But to have that guy behind center, you know you have a chance to win every time you take the field. And I just can't wait to go to work with him."

Minter also said during his introductory press conference on Thursday that he's focused on "creating a team identity that allows [Jackson] to thrive."

Minter's previous comments about Jackson were made before the Chargers played the Ravens at home in Week 12 of the 2024 season.

The game marked Minter's first time matching up with the Ravens since his previous stint with the team as a member of the defensive coaching staff from 2017 to 2020.

"I was there when Lamar got drafted, was there that night when the building, the energy in the building shifted, right then, when they announced that Lamar was being drafted to the Ravens," Minter said in November 2024. "For the first three years, saw his growth, and evolution, and development."

Minter continued, "Lamar is really one of one. We've played against different types of guys, guys do certain things well. He does everything well. And so, the second you commit, you overcommit to, 'Hey, we're gonna have all these eyes on him to run,' then he'll throw the ball over your head... there's nobody to compare to him. He's one of one. High, high level of respect for him, his operation, how he works."

After two seasons with the Chargers, Minter is now back in Baltimore. The Ravens hired Minter to a reported five-year contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, after dismissing former head coach John Harbaugh when his 18th season with the franchise ended without a playoff berth.

One of Minter's first tasks will be to hire coordinators who can help take the Ravens back toward postseason contention. Minter said Thursday both searches are "far along" and that the Ravens are "finalizing a few of those pieces."

"I'm looking for leaders, and connectors, and relationship-builders, and schematic expertise... I look forward to sharing those in the near future," Minter said.

Minter confirmed that he will be calling defensive plays, which he descrbed as a "strength" of his, regardless of his DC hire.

Minter keeping control over defensive plays indicates his OC hire could be the next most pivotal coaching hire of the offseason. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported last week that Jackson has supported former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury as a potential candidate.