Consistency in Coaching is just as important as the players’ consistency. The Baltimore Ravens made major changes to their staff this year. Can consistency be created in the offseason to make a difference in 2026?_____________________________________________________
Coaching Consistency – Baltimore Ravens
The 2026 postseason coaching chaos is going to generate more player inconsistency than in any previous NFL season. It will also wreak havoc on our fantasy seasons, unless…you read these articles and plan ahead. Never in the history of the NFL has there been as many Head Coach and/or Offensive Coordinator changes as there were this offseason. Some of our favorite, consistent players who were last season’s standouts may lose touches to others who were overlooked by their previous coaches. If you know who they are, they’ll be carrying your fantasy teams to championships. In this weekly series of team-by-team articles, Phil Taylor highlights how our favorite players are likely to be affected by the coaching changes.
In Baltimore, one of the longest and most consistent coaching staffs was dismantled this offseason in favor of a re-build. Jim Harbaugh and his staff were sent packing after years of playoffs that ended in disappointment. Let’s take a look at the changes that their new coaching regime will bring.
Head Coach Jesse Minter: Jesse Minter has a career being a defensive coach, working at Notre Dame, the LA Chargers, and the Baltimore Ravens, so he may defer much of the offensive planning to new Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle, who was the Chicago Bears OC last season. In addition to working with Ben Johnson, he has also had stints with Sean Payton in Denver and in New Orleans. One of the trademarks of his offenses has been heavy use of the running game to set up a smart, precise passing game. Often, his passing game is short passing with the expectation that the WR will gain yards after the catch. His passing game also utilizes two tight end sets to help the running backs. His QB typically will often have run-pass options in the play calling.
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson will remain as QB, but in a new offense, what version of Lamar will we see: running man or staying home in the pocket? Due to injuries, the version of Lamar Jackson we’ve seen over the last two seasons has been watered down, with less running. So, which will we get this year? Declan Doyle’s use of the RPO will definitely give Lamar more opportunities to run. If Lamar is healthy this season, I’m betting on him having more rushing yards and rushing touchdowns than in recent seasons.
Running Back: Yes, King Henry is coming back for his 11th season. Last season in Chicago, Declan Doyle’s offense ranked top ten in rushing yards, points, and touchdowns. He has often used multiple tight end sets, which will give Henry extra blocking on outside zone runs. One thing Doyle does that may not play to Henry’s strong suit is that he likes to integrate running backs into the passing game. Currently, the only running backs on the roster are Henry, Justice Hill, and Rasheed Ali. Justice and Ali are both capable pass catching RB’s. Justice will likely garner more passes than Ali. We may see a small bump in Henry’s usage in the pass game, but it won’t be every other down. In the draft, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Ravens took a pass catching running back in the 3rd round, and if you draft Derrick Henry, definitely scoop up that backup.
Wide Receivers: Most of us can probably name only two Ravens’ wide receivers, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. 2024 draft pick Devontez Walker flashed a bit as a deep threat last season, averaging 22.7 yards per catch, and may be featured more this season. Zay Flowers has talked about being excited by the new offensive scheme and is likely to be the centerpiece of the passing game, and looks primed to achieve his third consecutive over 1000-yard season. As for Rashod Bateman, the chatter is that he’ll get more usage under the new regime. Bateman can bring short-range, abrupt route running that the Ravens lacked in recent seasons. He is in line to have the Rome Odunze role you saw in Chicago last season. I also won’t be surprised if the Ravens pick up another WR later in the draft.
TE: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Mark Andrews, old reliable, will return on a team-friendly contract extension. He will be 31 years old in the 2026 season. If he stays healthy, he will get frequent designed plays and should have a better season in 2026. Behind him on the roster are blocking TE Durham Smythe and Lucas Scott, who also plays as a fullback. Right now, if Andrews were to be injured, the Ravens don’t have an answer. They will likely address the position with a bargain free-agent or a late pick in the draft.
Overall, if the Ravens can stay healthy, the offense looks primed for an exciting season. They will have only the 24th-toughest schedule, so I’m all on board with the Ravens. My only concern is the health of Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and Lamar Jackson.
