The Ravens are parting ways with inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan after one season, two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
CBS Sports was the first to report Ryan’s departure, which comes as Ravens coach John Harbaugh and new coordinator Mike Macdonald finalize their defensive staff.
Ryan, the twin brother of former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, was hired in January 2021 to replace Macdonald after he was named Michigan’s defensive coordinator. Ryan, 59, had last coached in 2019, when he served as the Washington Commanders’ inside linebackers coach.
Ryan’s arrival in Baltimore reunited him with Don “Wink” Martindale, who overlapped with Ryan in Oakland from 2004 to 2008, serving as the Raiders’ linebackers coach while Ryan was the defensive coordinator. Martindale was not retained as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator after a disappointing 2021 season.
Ryan’s replacement will take over a young but unproven unit. Former first-round pick Patrick Queen, who will have his third position coach in as many NFL seasons, moved over from the middle linebacker position to the weak side in 2021 amid early-season struggles. Malik Harrison, a third-round pick in 2019 whose season was interrupted by a non-life-threatening shooting in late October, played just one defensive snap over his final seven games. Veteran Josh Bynes, a pending free agent who started the season on the practice squad, was the group’s most consistent starter.
Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that “most” of the team’s coaching staff would return in 2022. Besides Martindale, the Ravens’ only offseason departure has been tight ends coach Bobby Engram, who was named Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator.
“We want our guys back, but guys get opportunities,” Harbaugh said. “So I would say, probably, by the end of next week, at the latest, we hope to have it solidified.”