Travis Kelce’s old remarks on Jesse Minter resurface after Ravens’ surprising head coaching decision

Jesse Minter is now confirmed as the new Ravens head coach and quickly it became the hot storyline across the NFL on Thursday, and it did not take long for old voices to re-enter the conversation.

As Baltimore charted a new path after a rare coaching reset, past remarks from an unexpected place added texture to a move that already carried league-wide weight.For the first time since 2008, the Ravens stepped into unfamiliar territory by naming a new head coach. The decision closed the chapter on John Harbaugh’s long and stable era and opened one built on urgency, evolution, and belief in a rising defensive mind who knows the building well.

Baltimore confirmed it had reached an agreement with Jesse Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator, signaling a clear shift toward modern defensive innovation. Minter, 42, previously served as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2020 on Harbaugh’s staff, making his return feel calculated rather than risky. In his first words as head coach, Minter said, "I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens," adding, "This is an organization whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played.

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Jesse Minter Ravens head coach era begins with trust and expectation

The hire gained momentum fast because Jesse Minter’s recent work spoke louder than résumés ever could. Under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, he transformed a struggling defense into the league’s stingiest unit. Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in the NFL in 2024, a sharp turnaround from a bottom-tier ranking the season before. The Chargers also finished ninth in scoring defense and fifth in yards allowed, proof of a system that adapts and attacks.That surge made Minter one of the most sought-after names of the offseason. Nine teams with vacancies requested interviews, and Baltimore moved decisively after meeting him on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, Minter had withdrawn from Cleveland’s search, clearing the runway for a deal after the Ravens interviewed 16 candidates.

As the news settled, social media unearthed comments from Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who faced Minter’s defenses twice each season. On the New Heights podcast, Kelce said, "And to be honest, that dude he has got [explicative] figured out," before detailing a surprise blitz that caught the Chiefs off guard.

He added, "Shout out to Jesse, he's absolutely killing it. Coach Minter, couldn't be more proud to say that I was once your scout team quarterback."That final line hinted at a deeper link. Minter served as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati during Kelce’s freshman year, a connection that now feels prophetic. In Baltimore, Minter inherits Lamar Jackson, a roster loaded with six Pro Bowl selections, and a franchise eager to return to its winning standard. Expectations are high, and this time, even opponents are already nodding in respect.