Ravens defenders share excitement and expectations for new DC Zach Orr

A collection of thoughts from some of the teams top players on the defensive side of the ball about their new play caller.

The departure of Mike Macdonald as the Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator seemed high heading into the 2023 season and was effectively inevitable after his unit finished as the best in the league by the end of the year. They became the first defense in NFL history to lead the league in turnovers, sacks and fewest points allowed—a triple crown of the rarest breed.

As was expected, Macdonald was one of the hottest head coach candidates and ultimately chose to take the job of replacing future Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll at the helm of the Seattle Seahawks. While he has some big shoes to fill across the country in the Emerald City, he left the pretty daunting task of filling his in Charm City.

Taking over the reins of a Ravens defense that is expected to be one of the league’s best again in 2024 and beyond is one of his former assistants, inside linebacker’s coach Zach Orr, who at just 32 years old is one of the youngest play callers in NFL. The former Second Team All Pro who had to retire from playing the game for medical reasons is now one of its rising stars in the coaching ranks.

Several returning and even new players who will be at his disposal as he hopes to uphold the strong tradition of defensive dominance and strength publicly shared their thoughts on his promotion in the months since it became official. Here is a compilation of their comments expressing their excitement and expectations for how will lead them for the foreseeable future.

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ILB Roquan Smith

How he and defensive coordinator Zach Orr built up trust in one another?

“I’m extremely proud of [Zach Orr] Z.O., happy for him and the way he works. The guy busts his tail day in and day out. [His] career ended short, because he probably would still be playing right now if it wasn’t for that. It started from when I first got here, when I first got traded. My first day her, I remember going up to his office, meeting, going over pretty much every play. There was a lot – my head was spinning a little bit, but he was very patient with me, and he was able to teach the information that I would need in order to succeed playing a game within six days. I think that’s a credit to how he gets down [and] how he’s about his business. I’m just excited for him to show the world exactly how he calls a game and how he motivates a defense like no other.”

Is it beneficial having a former linebacker be the new defensive coordinator?

“Absolutely. With him being a former linebacker, playing in it and playing at an All-Pro level, not many people can say they’ve done that and then switch over to the coaching transition. I think it definitely helps out; we see things [with] a lot of similarity, he played ‘backer in this league, so the way he saw things as a ‘backer, he kind of teaches it from that, which I think makes things a lot easier to understand. I think it’s going to be great, and I’m just excited to put it on display this fall, but there’s a process in place, and I’m respectful of that.”

OLB Kyle Van Noy

Did Zach Orr becoming the defensive coordinator factored into his decision to re-sign?

“I love ‘Z.O.’ [Zach Orr]. [I am] a big fan of his [and] have been since he played. He played the right way when he played, and he coaches the right way, too. ‘Mike Mack’ [Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald] going on, moving on, congrats to him again. It’s awesome to see him and his efforts of what he did here. He got the benefits of that, becoming a head coach, which I believe he was ready for. And ‘Z.O.’ [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] stepping in, he’s going to do a great job. He has a relationship, I would say, with everybody on defense. You don’t see that everywhere you go. ‘Z.O.’ passions himself on relationships and communication. He’s done a really good job of communicating what he wants done, and you better do it.”

What is the biggest differences with defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s defense compared to last year under Mike Macdonald?

“I don’t think I’ll go into the specifics of that, because they both stem from the same tree, right? But, they’re both different at the same time. You know, Mike Macdonald had his style, and ‘Z.O.’ [Zach Orr] has his style. I’m excited about ‘Z.O.’’s style. I think it’s going to continue to flood into the NFL because of what they’ve been able to do here for so long, and I believe we’re going to be a very, very good defense. It starts with him, and then it starts with the rest of the players executing – all 11 of us – each and every play.”

Does he think defensive coordinator Zach Orr will be an aggressive play caller?

“How do you know he’s aggressive?” (laughter) “He was an aggressive player, so I think that’s what you’re going to want to see him [be] as a [defensive] coordinator, is be aggressive. But, he’s also really smart – very, very smart. He knows defenses. He eats, breathes [and] sleeps football. That’s what you want – playing for a coach like that, who has literally dedicated his – I believe it’s 32 years now – just straight football.”

DB Marcus Williams

Thoughts on defensive coordinator Zach Orr:

“I’m excited. You’ve got a guy [Zach Orr] who’s been out there on the field, done what we’ve done, and now he’s transitioning to the ‘DC’ job, which I think he’s doing a good job of right now. He’s going to put us in some good positions to make some plays and dial it up. So, I’m excited to see what our future holds for this year, and I hope he comes out there and does exactly what he knows he’s going to do.”

How is defensive coordinator Zach Orr is going to handle calling his first game against the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense?

“[He’s going to] step up to the plate, and whatever comes, he’s going to throw everything he’s got, and he’s going to be prepared for them like no other, and I’ve got the utmost respect for him and the utmost confidence that he’s going to do the job with flying colors. I don’t think there’s any other questions to be asked about that.”

Does Zach Orr already command the respect of the locker room?

“He definitely has the respect of the room,” Williams said. “He comes in every day and puts in that time and that work — age is just a number — you put in that time and that effort to come out and be the best at your role as he did as a player, he’s gonna do as a coach. I have the utmost respect for him; the way he presents himself, the way he carries himself, how he coaches us and how he listens to whatever we have to say. He doesn’t have an ego where we can’t put our input. So, that’s a good thing, but he isn’t going to hold back just because he feels we’re about the same age. He’s still going to give you that good, hard coaching.”

ILB Trenton Simpson

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Does having defensive coordinator Zach Orr as his position coach last year helps him enhance his understanding of his role in the larger picture?

“Yes, sir, definitely. Being in the room with [Zach Orr] as my linebacker coach [last year], just us getting to know each other on a personal level, and then just us being able to talk ball. He understands me, and I understand him, so it’s made it [a] very natural transition for me. I’m excited for that room and just him as D-coordinator, and then [inside] linebacker coach Mark DeLeone, the whole thing is going in the right direction, for sure.”

CB Brandon Stephens

What are his impressions of defensive coordinator Zach Orr?

“Zach [Orr], he’s been doing great, man. He brings that fire each and every day, and he demands a lot from us. He demands perfection, and so that’s what we’re chasing; he says it every day. But, yes, he’s doing a great job.”

CB Nate Wiggins

Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

What it’s been like getting to know defensive coordinator Zach Orr through the pre-draft and Draft process and now having him as his coach?

“It’s exciting. [Zach Orr] just has a lot of energy in every meeting. [Even if] it’s 8 a.m. in the meeting, he has energy, so I feel like he brings energy to us.”

DB Kyle Hamilton

Thoughts on former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leaving and current defensive coordinator Zach Orr getting promoted:

“I’m super happy for [Seahawks head coach] Mike [Macdonald]. [He’s] super deserving, [a] smart dude, and he’s a big reason why we were in the position we were in last year [and] a big reason why a bunch of guys on the defense played well, as well. But with ‘Z.O.’ [Zach Orr], that’s been my guy over the past two years, [and] I feel like everybody in the building would say that, as well. He’s a great dude. He’s been here, obviously – been a Raven – for a while [as a] player and coach, and [he’s] somebody that … It was a seamless transition, and he’s got a great grasp of the defense, as well, and he’s going to put us in the right spots [to] help us make plays [and] help us maximize our abilities.”

How he formed a strong relationship with defensive coordinator Zach Orr?

“Yes, just [by] talking to [Zach Orr]. As a rookie, coming in every day, you don’t know what to expect, and ‘Z.O’ [Zach Orr] was always that guy that was a little touchpoint for me; like, ‘Hey, I’ve been through it. I know what’s going on. The dog days of camp. I know what you’re thinking right now.’ [He was] just keeping me up and stuff like that. And it’s cool to see both of us have grown these past couple years. Probably nobody here was even thinking of him as a ‘D.C.’ two years ago, and now look at him. And I think he’s super deserving of it, [and] he’s going to make the best of the opportunity.

Are things more similar than different with new defensive coordinator Zach Orr and how important is that continuity?

“Yes, it’s definitely convenient for me; I didn’t have to learn a completely new playbook, so that was awesome. But like I said, [Zach Orr] is adding his own flavors. And it’s easier for us – guys who have been in the defense – to maybe help younger guys out, because [it’s not] so much [of] learning the playbook, [and instead it’s] just sharpening tools and stuff like that, so if somebody has a question about something, we know exactly how it’s supposed to be played. If somebody does something wrong, we know what they did wrong and how to improve on it. So, I think it just keep continuity within the defense [and] within the team, and it allows us just to play faster.”

DT Justin Madubuike

Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images

What does it mean to have that familiarity with your new defensive coordinator?

“I feel like it makes the guys in the locker room [tip] their hat to Zach [Orr] and respect him in a sense of he’s been there, he’s done that, [and] he knows what it takes to win in this league. He’s been on championship teams. So, at the end of the day, it gives his voice more of an impact, in terms of my teammates. [There are] just more ears to listen to him, for sure, so we can all be on the same page and just attack as a wolfpack.”