Zach Orr (right). Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

New Ravens DC reveals how he'll build upon record-setting defense

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 2/7/24

The Ravens had arguably the best defense in the league in 2023. But after losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and a few other defensive coaches, will the unit be as dominant in 2024?

New defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who has served as the team's inside linebackers coach for the past two seasons, seems to think so.

"One thing that I've always lived by is you never stay the same. You either get better or you get worse. Obviously last year was a great year," Orr told reporters. "We're gonna get in the lab this offseason. We're gonna look at ourselves. Look at things we did well. Look how we can make it even better. Look at things we need to improve on and get better at that."

Zach Orr on building upon a record-setting season for the defense: pic.twitter.com/XOWTq3eKEa
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 6, 2024

Under Macdonald, Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to allow the fewest points per game (16.5) and record the most sacks (60) and takeaways (31).

But he has since left to become the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. So, it is now Orr's job to repeat that success, which won't be an easy task to do.

Orr knows that the defense's success won't only be on his shoulders, however. The Ravens have set a precedent under head coach John Harbaugh that the defense doesn't need to change too much as coaching changes.

"We definitely want to build on that. That's a scheme that we helped build here for years," Orr said. "We're always looking to get better. I think that's why you've seen great defenses here in the past. That's what we've got to continue."

But Orr must first fill the team's remaining coaching vacancies of the defensive line (Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC), defensive backs (Dennard Wilson, Titans DC) and linebackers (himself).

Once Orr has his new defensive staff in place, he can begin to construct his defense, which will certainly have big shoes to fill following a record-setting season.

More must-reads: