Veteran Baltimore Ravens players Rashod Bateman and Ronnie Stanley have offered veiled criticisms of former head coach John Harbaugh, suggesting a lack of attention to detail under his tenure.
Bateman, a wide receiver, stated on Thursday that under the new coaching staff, "everybody really harps on the details and the small things," adding, "That’s just not what we were in our past." Offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley echoed this sentiment, commenting that the new coach "just values the finer details."
These remarks, while not overtly aggressive, imply that Harbaugh's coaching staff may have overlooked crucial aspects of preparation. Bateman, in particular, expressed that he could "definitely benefit" from the coaching change and believes the team is "bound for success" with the current staff.
Bateman had previously voiced frustrations with the Ravens' coaching in 2023, including issues with playing to players' strengths and instances of finger-pointing. His current comments suggest a welcoming attitude towards the change in leadership.
Harbaugh's departure from the Ravens followed an 18-season stint that included one Super Bowl victory but ended with the team missing the playoffs after a Week 17 loss. Reports after his firing indicated that Harbaugh had "lost the locker room" and that there were rifts, including with star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jesse Minter, formerly the Chargers' defensive coordinator, has replaced Harbaugh. A significant storyline for the upcoming season will be Minter's ability to guide Jackson toward a Super Bowl appearance.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh has taken on a coaching role with the New York Giants, where expectations are more tempered for the immediate future.