During the 2023 season, the Baltimore Ravens possessed one of the best defenses in the league, making opposing offenses nervous. Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was a contributing factor, but they will now rely on new defensive coordinator Zach Orr to take the helm.
Marcus Williams, a star safety, spoke with NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger and Mike Garafolo on “The Insiders” about the upcoming season and his new coach. Williams stated, “Man, he definitely has the respect of the room.”
Orr’s first season as an NFL defensive coordinator will be in 2024, and he will take over for a Super Bowl-bound squad.
“You know I have the highest regard for him. “The way he presents himself, carries himself, coaches us, and listens to what we have to say,” Williams told NFL Network.
Orr will have enough of guys to rely on in a veteran and star-studded defense. LB Roquan Smith, DT Justin Madubuike, and safety Kyle Hamilton are three of the best defensive players in their respective positions.
It will be up to Orr to place them in the best situations to succeed, but he will have lots of assistance. Other key defenders, like Williams and CB Marlon Humphrey, will provide senior leadership and further support to the young coach.
Zach Orr Will Have Big Shoes to Fill in 2024
Orr is only 32 years old, younger than several of his players, and has been in the NFL since 2014. The DC was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ravens in 2014 and played LB for them for three seasons, earning All-Pro Second Team honors.
Unfortunately, his biography on the Ravens website states that “he transitioned to coaching in 2016 following his retirement from the NFL due to a congenital neck/spine condition.”
From 2017 until 2020, Orr served as the Ravens defensive unit’s coaching and personnel assistant, where he tutored prominent players like as LB Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon.
“He was very patient with me.” Roquan on his relationship with DC Zach Orr: pic.twitter.com/ZwMCIVk327
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
“Prior to rejoining Baltimore, Orr spent one season (2021) as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ outside linebackers coach,” according to his online biography.
He returned as inside linebackers coach in 2022, working under then-defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Macdonald is regarded as one of the NFL’s greatest thinkers, and after directing the Ravens’ defense to consecutive victories, he was one of the most sought-after coaching candidates.
MacDonald left after the 2023 season to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, leaving the DC post unfilled. The Ravens conducted their due homework on his replacement and determined that in-house Orr would be the best choice.
Marcus Williams Not Worried About Zach Orr’s Age
Garafolo asked Williams about Orr’s age, noting “Kyle Van Noy is 33″ and asking him “how does he command the respect” of the players.
Williams seemed unconcerned with his age, saying, “He comes in every day and puts in the time, the work. “You understand that age is just a number.” The 2023 Ravens were first in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed, so Orr will have his work cut out for him to keep that domination.
Williams, on the other hand, feels the coach has the mindset to succeed, saying, “You put in that time and effort to come out and be the best at your role as he did as a player, he’s gonna do as a coach.”
Young coaches have had success in the NFL, so it will be up to Orr to bring the correct mindset to the position, but as Williams puts it, “He’s not going to hold back just because he thinks we’re about the same age. You know he’ll still give you terrific, firm coaching.”
