Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Mike Green (45) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Mike Green (45) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on Feb 24, 2026.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The best defenses in the league feature a harmonious relationship between front and back end because the better the coverage, the more time the pass rushers have to disrupt and bring down opposing quarterbacks. Even when the Ravens were able to generate some pressure last season, their coverage unit failed to hold up long enough for trench players like Green to get home often.
As impactful as the addition of four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson will be at getting Green more one-on-one opportunities to get after the quarterback, the hiring of a new coaching staff with assistants who specialize in coaching up defensive backs will go a long way toward getting him those precious milliseconds to get home.
Along with Minter, they also brought in Mike Mickens as the defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach and P.J. Volker as the safeties coach. Both were viewed as rising stars in the coaching profession in the college ranks, destined for the pros, and now they're here.
In free agency, the Ravens brought back veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie, who was their most consistent player at the position last year. They also added veteran Jaylinn Hawkins to give them their best safety trio since the 2023 season, when they led the league in sacks and had the AFC leader in interceptions.
The Ravens are only one season removed from having a pair of edge defenders record double-digit sacks. One of them was 2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh, who logged 10.5 sacks in 13 games under Minter after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last season, and the other was Pro Bowl veteran Kyle Van Noy, who remains a free agent after recording just two sacks last season.
While neither remains on the roster, Green has the potential to be the next in line to reach that impressive benchmark, especially if he consistently gets more time to finish plays provided by improved coverage downfield and at the intermediate level.
"When Coach [Weaver] put up all those clips of me being this close, it kind of it brings light to me and it inspires me to acknowledge how talented I am," Green said. "But also to acknowledge how close I was to being able to have these double-digit sacks."
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Josh is a writer for Baltimore Ravens On SI focusing primarily on original content and reporting. He provides analysis, breakdowns, profiles, and reports on important news and transactions from and about the Ravens. His professional resume as a sports reporter includes covering local events, teams, and athletes in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska for Anchorage Daily News. His coverage on the Ravens and other NFL teams has been featured on Heavy.com/sports, Maryland Sports Blog and most recently Baltimore Beatdown from 2021 until 2025.
Oct 5, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) runs for a gain past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson (32) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) runs for a gain past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson (32) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images