Putting a quality staff around first-year head coach Jesse Minter is a difficult task the Baltimore Ravens must get right, so it’s a blow they’ve already seen “one of the most respected in the business” depart for pastures new.
That’s what happened once wide receivers coach Greg Lewis joined Robert Saleh’s staff with the Tennessee Titans. The move was reported on Wednesday, January 28 by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who called this “A big hire for Robert Saleh and Mike Borgonzi, who reunites with Lewis — one of the most respected in the business — after spending six seasons together in Kansas City (2017-2022).”
Losing Lewis is an obvious blow. Particularly for a position group seemingly always in a state of transition. Getting more from young playmakers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman will be key to improving the passing game around franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose own future is still up for debate.
Jackson is more likely to stick around if he gets to direct a more expansive offense, but whoever replaces new Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken as coordinator will have to proceed without Lewis.
Fortunately, the Ravens have already made hires sure to positively impact another phase of their offense.
Ravens Will Miss Key Position Coach
Developing elite and prolific wideouts proved a challenge for the Ravens during the final years Minter’s predecessor John Harbaugh was at the helm. Lewis, who played in the NFL for eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, was a key voice for young players like Flowers and Bateman.
The latter is currently addressing confusion related to social media posts about his desire to stay with the Ravens. Bateman has struggled to stay healthy, but he has obvious talent as a vertical threat, as well as being an after-catch playmaker between the numbers.
Lewis didn’t always unlock Bateman’s potential, but he can take credit for Flowers’ generally successful transition to the pro level. Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons justify the Ravens making Flowers a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
While Flowers has become the go-to target on the depth chart, he’s not the only young wide receiver the Ravens are counting on for bigger things. There’s also second-year pro Devontez Walker, who’s already shown a knack for finding the end zone.
Developing Walker’s core skills could lead the Ravens to a dynamic and complementary double act with Flowers. It’s the job for whoever replaces Lewis, but the Ravens will still remain a force on the ground, thanks to their recent coaching moves.
Jesse Minter’s Staff Built to Maintain Rushing Strength
When the Ravens secured the services of a sought-after NFC assistant, they acquired an astute run-game specialist who will make an already formidable rushing attack even better. So will pairing former Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford with his assistant, Shawn Flaherty, moves reported by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Hiring Ledford and Flaherty is good news for two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry. The 32-year-old is still going strong after rushing for 1,595 yards last season, but Henry will need the help of Ledford’s schemes to stay strong.
Ledford’s coaching was behind Bijan Robinson topping 1400 yards on the ground in each of the last two campaigns. More important for the Ravens was how Ledford coached a versatile double act featuring explosive all-rounder Robinson and straight-ahead bruiser Tyler Allgeier.
Creating the same dynamic between Henry and natural speedster Keaton Mitchell is the best way for Ledford to shape the post-Monken offense in Baltimore. Maintaining strength on this side of the ball will be key to leaving former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Minter to focus his expertise where the Ravens need it most.
Ravens Lose ‘Respected’ Coach from Jesse Minter’s Staff