The Baltimore Ravens lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to the Seattle Seahawks early in the 2024 offseason, as he accepted an offer to become their next head coach. Macdonald was a massive reason why Baltimore’s defense was elite in 2023, but the team is confident in the coach they chose to replace him in Zach Orr.
Orr has spent almost his entire NFL career with the Ravens as a player and a coach. He has no defensive coordinator or play-calling experience, but Baltimore defensive lineman Justin Madubuike is excited to have him lead the team’s defense, especially based on his football experience.
“I feel like it makes the guys in the locker room [tip] their hat to [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr] and respect him in a sense of he’s been there, he’s done that, [and] he knows what it takes to win in this league. He’s been on championship teams. So, at the end of the day, it gives his voice more of an impact, in terms of my teammates. [There are] just more ears to listen to him, for sure, so we can all be on the same page and just attack as a wolfpack.”
Madubuike signed a four-year, $98 million extension with the Ravens after putting up a career-high 13 sacks in a contract year. The Ravens’ defense has undergone plenty of turnover with how free agency has played out so far, but players like Madubuike will help the team avoid too much of a dropoff.