The Baltimore Ravens handed Jesse Minter a deep and talented roster when they hired him to replace John Harbaugh as head coach, but they still have some key decisions to make in 2026 NFL free agency, with one decision likely to be helped by rookie sideline general Minter’s “intel” on a useful veteran who’s set to hit the market.
Minter knows safety Alohi Gilman well from their time together with the Los Angeles Chargers. Gilman played one-and-a-bit seasons for then-Chargers defensive coordinator Minter before being traded to the Ravens last October, as part of the deal that sent edge-rusher Odafe Oweh to the AFC West.
While Oweh became a roaring success with the Bolts, so much so a reunion with Minter in Baltimore makes sense, Gilman also acquitted himself well in his new home. It’s why Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic believes “Gilman helped, at least temporarily, settle a mistake-prone Baltimore secondary. He’s a smart and cerebral player who is comfortable in a leadership role. He does struggle as a tackler.”
Zrebiec also pointed out “the Ravens need a veteran safety to join Hamilton and Malaki Starks. New Ravens coach Jesse Minter was with Gilman in Los Angeles, so he’ll have plenty of intel on him.”
Those are compelling reasons for Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta to bring back a familiar face for Minter’s new-look defense. Gilman has an obvious role to play, but the Ravens also have another intriguing free agent at the safety spot, a one-time breakout playmaker who still has value.
Alohi Gilman Earned Another Chance
As Zrebiec noted, Gilman mostly fulfilled his role after arriving at M&T Bank Stadium midway through last season. He provided a calming influence at a time when the depth chart was decimated by injuries and the secondary as a whole was routinely getting torched for big plays through the air.
There were some off moments, like when Gilman incurred a late-season fine before the pivotal, win or go home rematch against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet, Gilman overall rated as useful contributor by getting in on 68 tackles and breaking up six passes in 12 games.
His most memorable play was this 84-yard touchdown return after taking a lateral of sorts from outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.
More than his numbers and any splash plays, Gilman proved his worth by allowing the Ravens to continue leaning into their preferred three-safety packages. It’s something Minter is likely to retain with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and 2025 NFL draft first-round pick Malaki Starks leading the way, but the new coach may opt for a more dynamic third safety.
Jesse Minter Can Get Ravens Breakout Safety Back to His Best
Things were looking up for Ar’Darius Washington before a brutal injury suffered last offseason denied him the chance to take on a creative new role for his breakout talents.
Washington’s now a free agent, but Zrebiec thinks his return is “certainly a possibility. Washington already had his share of admirers in the organization before he busted his butt last year to return from an offseason Achilles tear in seven months and play in the Ravens’ last couple of games.”
Handing Washington a new deal would make sense because he offers greater range and more disruptive potential than Gilman. Minter knows all about Gilman’s game, but he’ll also know the 28-year-old isn’t as dynamic as Washington.
Bringing both back might be too much for the Ravens to consider amid the other big decisions looming in free agency, so Minter will have to weigh the comfort of his knowledge of Gilman against Washington’s playmaking upside.
It’s an interesting dilemma among the first decisions needing to be made by a debut head coach.
Ravens HC Jesse Minter Has ‘Plenty of Intel’ on Key Free Agent