It is that time of the year in the NFL when standout assistant coaches begin to garner head coaching buzz.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is widely expected to go on to interview for at least one head coaching job next year. Macdonald has anchored a Ravens defense that leads the NFL in both points per game allowed (16.3) and total sacks (54).

It has come as no surprise to Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton that Macdonald has emerged as a regular in the head coaching rumor mill.

"We've got a goal in mind still, we've got to finish out what we've started here, but if that were to happen, it would be much deserved," Hamilton said ahead of the Ravens’ home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. "[Mike Macdonald] is a young, bright star in our league, and just like the players are executing at a high level, so is he, and we don't do that without him and all the other people on the staff.

"So, he's got a great plan in place every week, and he's open to criticism, for sure, from us, when we're being a little sensitive and bratty about stuff. But he hears us when we're talking to him, and I think that's a great quality to have."

On Macdonald’s part, he has caught notice of the head coaching buzz that he has received.

"It's hard to ignore," Macdonald said on Thursday. "It's an honor to hear about it. It's such a unique opportunity when it does come up. … 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."

As Macdonald touched on, he has his sights set on the upcoming showdown between his No. 1 ranked defense and the Miami Dolphins’ high-octane offense.

NFL insider has simple reason for why Ravens’ Lamar Jackson should win NFL MVP over Bills’ Josh Allen

Strong take.