Jesse Minter did not receive any interview requests last year, but after the Chargers continued their defensive momentum this season, the two-year NFL DC is flooded with interview slips.
After the Browns, Ravens and Titans sent them in, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the Raiders want to meet with Minter as well. The Raiders had been a rumored Minter suitor. Tom Brady and GM John Spytek‘s Michigan pasts certainly make them a team to watch for the former Wolverines national championship-winning DC.
[RELATED: 2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
In addition to the Raiders, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo expects the Giants to submit Minter an interview slip. In a scenario we highlighted back in September, Minter repeating his 2024 defensive success would likely lead to widespread interest and possibly a Los Angeles departure. Though, Minter is among a handful of rising defensive coordinators on this year’s market.
Now that the Chargers have been eliminated, Minter is free to speak with teams about HC vacancies. The Raiders just went defense with their HC position a year ago, hiring Pete Carroll. But Minter would profile as a different type of defensive leader, with the age gap being perhaps the most notable component here.
Minter is 42, whereas Carroll set a record for oldest NFL HC this past season by coaching games at 74. The Raiders chased Ben Johnson last year in hopes he would become their long-term leader. A three-year Carroll contract followed. With Carroll a one-and-done, Minter is now among the names Las Vegas is considering.
The Giants look to have their sights squarely set on John Harbaugh, and recent reports tabbed them as one of the early favorites. Minter would profile as a different option, with Harbaugh 63, but his coaching development has come under the Harbaugh brothers — in Baltimore, Ann Arbor and Los Angeles. Minter would make for an interesting Giants option through this lens. The Giants have not hired a defense-based HC since Tom Coughlin in 2004.
I feel he should be the next HC of the Ravens. Though Kubiak is a hot candidate. LaFleur could also generate interest.
Except Tom Coughlin was an offensive coach. He always was an offensive position coach his entire career. Never coached defense.