Ravens left with important decision after latest HC hire

The Ravens' start to 2024 continued to get worse on Wednesday as they officially lost one of the biggest pieces to their success in 2023.

ESPN's Adam Schefter announced the Seahawks have agreed to terms on a six-year deal with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to be their new head coach.

Baltimore now has a very important decision to make about who its next defensive coordinator will be. It will be big shoes to fill after Macdonald helped the team reach the AFC Championship Game this season. And the loss was not the fault of his defense after shutting out the Chiefs in the second half.

Under Macdonald, the Ravens defense allowed the fewest points per game (16.5) while also recording the most sacks (60) and takeaways (31) in 2023.

Macdonald has been a hot head-coaching candidate with several teams waiting for Baltimore's season to end just to talk with him. One source even described the 36-year-old as "a defensive Sean McVay," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Not only was Macdonald's defense one of the best in the league, but his players have bought into him as well. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton praised Macdonald when speaking with NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe just one hour before the news broke.

"He's super cerebral. Really smart guy. Probably the smartest guy in the building," Hamilton said. "Great motivator, lets the guys lead the room. Just a bunch of great qualities for him and whatever is coming in his future, he deserves it."