After a reportedly successful second interview for the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job on Jan. 21, candidate Jesse Minter canceled his interview with the Cleveland Browns, which was expected to take place on Jan. 22.
Minter has been a hot name on the head coaching market after he led the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense to top-10 rankings in passing and rushing defense and kept the team competitive in their wild-card loss despite poor offensive production.
Although speculation suggests that Minter is close to taking the Ravens job, reports by NFL insider Jordan Schultz indicate he remains in serious talks with the Las Vegas Raiders to become their head coach.
Sources: #Chargers DC Jesse Minter has canceled a scheduled meeting with the #Browns today.
He is believed to be in serious consideration for other HC jobs, including Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/QlKqYGhPm6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2026
Minter weighs Ravens, Raiders after Browns cancellation
Minter has ties to the Ravens going back to when he was a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach from 2017 to 2020.
After an injury-riddled down year by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and a lackluster defense that ranked 24th in the league, Baltimore is looking for a coach to bring who can bring stability on the defensive side and guide the team over its playoff hump.
Similar to their AFC counterparts, the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens have massively underperformed in the postseason despite having an MVP quarterback. Baltimore owns a record of 3-5 in the playoffs with Jackson.
With a coaching reset and Jackson spending an offseason getting healthy, Baltimore is hoping that a change of leadership can rejuvenate a stagnant roster.
Jesse Minter was with the Raiders on Tuesday and the Ravens yesterday for second interviews. He was also set to have a second interview with Atlanta, before they moved on Kevin Stefanski. https://t.co/9IMBSTpm4A
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2026
Raiders offer low-pressure rebuild with top QB pick
However, Minter is not guaranteed to take the Ravens’ head coaching job.
While on paper the Raiders might not be as strong as the Ravens, there are aspects of the job that could be enticing to the young defensive mind.
Expectations top the list.
The coach who takes the Baltimore job would be expected to push for a Super Bowl immediately, a task that could be daunting for a first-time head coach. Las Vegas, on the other hand, would come with far fewer expectations after finishing the season with the worst record in the NFL.
The Raiders also own the No. 1 overall pick and currently have a void at quarterback, allowing Minter the opportunity to come in and select and develop a quarterback he believes he could build a team around.
One concern surrounding the Raiders’ job is the franchise’s recent coaching turnover. Las Vegas has fired each of its past three head coaches after just one season and is currently paying roughly $50 million to former head coaches and their staff.
However, this instability could work in Mintor’s favor, as owner Mark Davis could be more inclined to offer greater job security to his next hire.
At just 42 years old, Minter faces little immediate pressure, giving him time to weigh his options carefully as he considers the next step in his coaching career.