Ravens' Mike Macdonald on Head Coach Rumors: 'Hard To Ignore'
While the present for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is preparing the Baltimore Ravens defense for an electric Miami Dolphins offense, a head coaching gig could be in the not-too-distant future.
Macdonald spoke about head coaching rumors, and while he's focused on preparing for the Dolphins, the buzz surrounding his name has become tough to avoid.
Mike Macdonald is in his second season as the Ravens' defensive coordinator.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
"It's hard to ignore," Macdonald said. "It's an honor to hear about it. It's such a unique opportunity when it does come up. For guys that know me, I'm a one-track guy. It's very difficult for me to kind do two things at once. So, try your best to focus on the things that we need to focus on, which is the next game and getting our guys in position to win."
The Los Angeles Chargers (5-10), Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) and Carolina Panthers (2-13) have fired their head coaches during the season. Other teams like the Washington Commanders (4-11) and New England Patriots (4-11) could move on from their head coaches after the season.
The Ravens' defense has been one of the best in the NFL since Macdonald, 36, became the defensive coordinator before last season. This year, Baltimore has allowed the fewest points per game (16.3) and leads the league in sacks (54). In 2022, Macdonald's defense allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.5).
After slowing down a San Francisco 49ers offense that averaged 34.5 points per game during their six-game winning in a 33-19 win on Christmas, Macdonald will face another tall task in trying to slow down the Dolphins (11-4). Miami's offense leads the league in points (30.9) and yards (411.5) per game.
Macdonald noted the Dolphins' speed and how that makes life difficult for defenses.
"It's a challenge," Macdonald said. "It's unique to the rest of the league because it's at every spot. Every guy that can touch the ball can take off and score from any point."
The top threat Macdonald has to gameplan for is Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill, who was once viewed as an MVP candidate this season, has 106 catches for 1,641 yards and 12 touchdowns. Along with the challenge of stopping one of the top receivers in the game, Macdonald mentioned how Dolphins head coach and offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel moves Hill all over the offense, making the difficult task of stopping him even tougher.
"They do a great job of getting him the ball creatively," Macdonald said. "It's different if someone just lines up at the X, and he's on the ball, and he's not moving, and you know where he's going to be – that's definitely not the case with Tyreek...It's a challenge in how they move him. It's a credit to them with their system and the things he's able to do from different spots."
If the Ravens' defense can turn in another virtuoso performance against the top-scoring offense in football in a battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Macdonald's name will become one of the hottest in coaching searches after this season.
Baltimore faces Miami with a chance to win the AFC North and clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.
