Ravens Defense Bound For Huge Changes After Mike Macdonald Goes To Seahawks

Mike Macdonald may only be the start of changes to come for the Baltimore Ravens defensively with their players and coaches.

When your franchise continues to have some semblance of success, other teams will try and replicate that by taking people pivotal to that success. 

The latest example was the Baltimore Ravens' former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald getting hired as the Seattle Seahawks head coach on Wednesday. Along with Macdonald, former defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson went to the Tennessee Titans to become their defensive coordinator. 

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Macdonald and Wilson were instrumental in Baltimore having the best defense in football. The Ravens allowed the fewest points per game (60), had the most sacks (60) and were tied for first in turnovers (31). 

Safety Geno Stone was second in the league with seven interceptions, and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike also had a career year with 13 sacks. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney experienced a resurgence with 9.5 sacks, tying the most in his career. 

The potential ripple effect of Macdonald and Wilson's departures, plus other coaches potentially following them, is players leaving in free agency. Madubuike, Stone, Clowney and linebacker Patrick Queen are among Baltimore's free agents. Queen also put together his best season in 2023 with 133 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, six passes defended and 3.5 sacks.

With Baltimore having just over $5 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, keeping all of those players on the best defense from last season will prove tough. Not only will the lack of cap space make it difficult, but Macdonald and Wilson losing and whoever chooses to follow them as coaches and players could deplete the Ravens' defense. 

Three Needs For Ravens In Important 2024 Offseason

Having to replace multiple coaches because they're leaving for better jobs is a sign of the job Baltimore has done on the field and with its coaches. The flip side is the Ravens have to replace those coaches and potentially players who choose to follow them.

If Baltimore is going to maintain its success, head coach John Harbaugh will have to promote or sign coaches who can make a similar impact. If he can't, it could make next season more difficult for Harbaugh and the Ravens.