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When the Ravens’ season ended in a dismaying divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in January, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh did what a lot of NFL players do once there are no more games to play: He went to Miami. With warm weather, no state income tax and an endless buffet of entertainment and scenery, South Florida has become a natural hibernation destination for professional athletes across all sports. Oweh, coming off a career-high 10 sacks in his fourth season but none in the loss to the Bills, and entering a contract year, also had a bitter taste he was looking cleanse from his palate. “We didn’t have the outing, at least I didn’t have the outing I wanted, so I thought a lot of that had to do with my weight and being able to be stout in certain positions,” he said last week during voluntary organized team activities in Owings Mills. “So, as soon as the season was done, I went to Miami, started eating, lifting and then gaining weight.” Despite being one of the world’s best food cities, it wasn’t quite as appetizing as it sounds. “It actually wasn’t good food,” Oweh continued. “It was a lot of nasty meal prep — dry chicken, Brussels sprouts, asparagus — but it did the job.” Indeed. Between a new diet and new workout routine, the 26-year-old went from 245 pounds during last season to what he says is about 265 pounds this spring. The goal was simple: bulk up and get stronger without losing the speed that had become a hallmark of his game. So through his manager, Oweh enlisted the services of Jordan Collins of DBC Fitness. Collins, a 20-year veteran of the fitness industry who ran track at Auburn and also has a football background, specializes in strength training, linear speed development, deceleration and landing mechanics as well as returning to play from injury. “He had done group sessions his whole career,” Collins said of the company’s individual program. “He really wanted to change things up and really dedicate himself fully.” To Oweh, the relationship was exactly what he was looking for. Despite career highs in sacks and pressures (28, per Pro Football Reference) as well as ranking 17th among edge rushers in pass rush win-rate, per ESPN analytics, a review of game film by Collins revealed a lack of power from the 6-foot-5 specimen. That was evident during the regular season as well as the playoffs. Though Oweh had a sack and three hits on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in a wild-card win in Baltimore, he was held to zero sacks and hits on Josh Allen when facing the Bills, who had one of the league’s best offensive lines last season. Enter Collins, who first put Oweh through an orthopedic assessment with DBC performance coach Chaney Knowlton, before drawing up an intense schedule. “The first session we had, he went through five to six bottles of water in 90 minutes with puddles of sweat everywhere. I was like dude,” Collins said. “He was talking to me and said he’d lose maybe 10 pounds a practice and about 15 pounds a game and that it’s hard for him to hold his weight during the season.” So, Collins force fed him, with a nutritional shake after every workout followed by a full meal — one of six or seven during Oweh’s day — before he was allowed to leave the facility following tissue work. The plan was next-level for Oweh, too. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the first half of the sessions focused entirely on a lower body combo of movement patterning, speed and plyometrics, while the second half would entail heavy lower body weightlifting. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the focus was upper body lifting with Oweh pushing as much weight and volume as he could. There was also 10 to 20 minutes of stretching daily, preceded by a daily wellness questionnaire to gauge his soreness, energy level and the amount and quality of sleep from the night before. The routine carried on for six weeks — save for OTAs and other duties for the Ravens — and he’ll return to Miami for a few more weeks once OTAs and mandatory minicamp later this month conclude. “He didn’t have the strength to bulldoze an offensive tackle and hunker down in some of the run game,” Collins said. “Especially from the upper body perspective.” The workouts had to account for prior injuries that included at least two past shoulder surgeries, including one for what Collins said was a torn labrum following the 2023 season. “His goals were be healthy, stronger at the point of attack and move around offensive linemen and be able to rush from anywhere,” Collins said. “It was real simple at that point. Get him as strong as humanly possible, get him as mobile as humanly possible and let the athlete be an athlete.” Being athletic has, of course, never been an issue for Oweh, whom Baltimore drafted 31st overall out of Penn State in 2021. Production, however, has been more mixed. Over his first three seasons, Oweh had just 11 sacks total and never more than five in a season. He also struggled to be consistent and finish plays. His results took a big step forward last season, though, and the progression with his new powerful frame puts the salary-cap-strapped Ravens in an interesting position. Though they appear interested in signing him to a contract extension, there’s no indication the two sides are close on a long-term deal. Baltimore also used a second-round draft pick this year on highly-touted edge rusher Mike Green, despite off-field character concerns over two sexual assault allegations that some teams had over the former Marshall standout. And while fellow outside linebacker and veteran Kyle Van Noy is also in a contract year, along with David Ojabo, the Ravens have hopes for 2023 fourth-round pick Tavius Robinson and 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac to continue to develop into every-down players. Another strong year for Oweh could also price him out of Baltimore. Related Articles READER POLL: Are you happy with how the Ravens are renovating M&T Bank Stadium? All about fun: Ravens TE Isaiah Likely hosts charity softball game Mike Preston: Ravens LB Trenton Simpson must take next step | COMMENTARY Ravens offer peek at latest stadium renovations, including premium seating M&T Bank Stadium plans new dining venues ahead of Ravens season “I would be crazy to say that’s not something a little bit in the back of my mind,” he said of his contract. “But every year I try to get better, try to be better than I was last year. So to be honest, that’s really what I’m focused on. I know if I do that, it’s going to take care of itself.” While OTAs — where contact isn’t allowed — don’t offer much in terms of how Oweh’s bulk will translate on the field, coach John Harbaugh has been pleased so far. “I’m just really happy with Odafe right now, in terms of what he’s done in the last three months,” he said. “He’s worked really hard. He’s just very determined to be really great. Again, my goal for him is to be All-Pro. Go be the best, be the best in the business, and that’s tough, because there’s a lot of good players playing his position, but that’s the way he sees himself, and let’s go for it. “I can see him being — if you want to call it that — a more direct rusher. Use his power, use [the] bull [rush] a little bit more.” Could Oweh’s new bulk slow him down, though, and impact his repertoire? “I wouldn’t say change, maybe sharpen it,” he said. “Obviously, I’m kind of a power-savvy, too, with my rush, so I could build off that more. And then, like I said, when I try to dip and bring the rip up, I’ll be more solid and stout in that.” Still, losing speed was one of the reasons why Oweh was hesitant to add more weight in the past, Collins said. Now that he has, however, he has set another goal: more sacks than last season. “Just try to be more than that,” he said. “I’ve got a number in my head though, but I’ll keep that to myself.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens on Thursday unveiled the progress of their latest round of renovations to M&T Bank Stadium, which includes a 6,600-square-foot retail space with a second-floor hospitality area and plenty of premium options for the highest paying customers. We want to know your thoughts about how the team is utilizing $489 million that is being spent on the alterations, almost all of which is public money. We want to know what you think. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely ended the home run derby in style, tossing his bat emphatically for all to see on his final swing. The fourth-year tight end swapped out his helmet and shoulder pads for a glove and bat alongside many of his teammates Sunday afternoon at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. Likely hosted the first Isaiah Likely Charity Softball Slam, which benefited Special Olympics Maryland. Fourteen of Likely’s teammates, including Trenton Simpson, Jordan Stout, Tavius Robinson, Devin Leary, Devontez Walker and Charlie Kolar, participated in the event. The afternoon began with a home run derby followed by a six-inning game that pitted the offense against the defense, which ended in an 11-5 victory for the offense. “I want to inspire hope, inspire a smile,” Likely said. “Having the fans watch us every Sunday, Monday, Thursday on the field with our helmets on, to finally get to take the helmet off and show them us outside of our comfort zone, playing another sport. Another sport we get to inspire. The youth really just coming up, letting them know you can make a change, you can do something.” Throughout the six innings, the players and fans soaked in every moment with persistent trash talk on both sides. Likely’s voice echoed loudly above the rest in that aspect, waving bye and encouraging the defensive team to return to the dugout after each out. The offense couldn’t contain their laughter after each defensive team miscue as their lead continued to grow. Meanwhile, early on, Likely flashed the leather with a rangy catch in center field that brought lots of oohs and aahs from the crowd. At one point, Likely and his fellow offensive outfielders were so unimpressed by the defense’s hitting that they lied down in the outfield for several hitters. Offensively, though, Leary and wide receiver Tylan Wallace were the stars with a combined three home runs. Wallace, the fifth-year wideout and return specialist, returned to his baseball roots. Wallace hit a pair of no-doubt home runs. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens LB Trenton Simpson must take next step | COMMENTARY Ravens offer peek at latest stadium renovations, including premium seating M&T Bank Stadium plans new dining venues ahead of Ravens season Joe Flacco enters Browns competition as favorite to be starting QB Ravens TE Mark Andrews reflects on Bills playoff loss, addresses contract “It was a lot of fun,” he said. “Being able to just come out here, bond with your teammates, see the guys run around a little bit and being able to interact with the fans. It means the most. Being able to just be around here with the fans, sign some autographs and just really bond with your teammates, I enjoyed it. Not all teams do stuff like this. I’m happy Isaiah put it on, and I appreciate him doing this for the community.” Throughout the afternoon, Ravens players gathered along the first and third-base line for autographs and interacted with fans. At one point, Stout accepted a generous offer from a fan in left field for french fries, the type of unique opportunity for fans to see some of their favorite players and their relationships as teammates in a different light. Likely ended the afternoon by issuing a heartfelt thanks to those in attendance as he and his teammates lined up one final time to sign as many autographs as possible. “I can’t tell you how much I love the city of Baltimore,” Likely said. “I appreciate you all coming out. I appreciate Special Olympics Maryland for having me. I appreciate the Baltimore boys, my brothers coming out here with me and having fun in front of you all. Next stop is the season.” Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at jsteinberg@baltsun.com, 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23. Ravens long snapper Nick Moore reacts after winning the home run derby. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

For Ravens weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson, the sequel has to be better than the original. In his second NFL season, the 2023 third-round draft pick out of Clemson finished with 73 tackles. That might be good for a reserve, but not a starter. Since they are mostly uncovered, weakside linebackers generally finish second or third on their team in tackles, right up there with a safety. But after Week 13, the Ravens benched Simpson, and Chris Board and Malik Harrison shared starting duties for the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs. Board then signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the New York Giants on March 12, and a day later Harrison finalized a two-year agreement for $10 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Guess who is the Ravens’ starting weakside linebacker going into training camp next month? It’s Simpson, based more on design than the lack of available talent. “Most definitely, I expect to start,” said Simpson, who started with the first group in base defense Wednesday in the first voluntary practice of organized team activities that was open to the media. “That was my goal all through the offseason, just to improve and earn the trust of my teammates and coaches. I expect a big year for myself.” So do the Ravens. Last year, Simpson was benched in what coach John Harbaugh termed a “reset period.” He was right. The reviews were mixed on the 23-year-old Simpson. There were times when he looked lost and couldn’t find a running back or tight end in coverage even with the aid of a navigation system. That was strange because he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds with a 1.55-second 10-yard split at the 2023 NFL scouting combine, both elite marks for the linebacker position. There are some running backs who don’t run that fast. Simpson’s development, though, wasn’t about his great athleticism, but more about film study and recognizing down and distance. Then there is reaction time. A step slow in the NFL can lead to touchdowns. Many touchdowns. “I’m blessed to be playing the same defense going into my third year,” said Simpson, who is entering his second season with defensive coordinator and former inside linebackers coach Zach Orr after playing his rookie year under Mike Macdonald. “Just going into this year, I have more understanding of what to expect from an offense, being ahead of the play. I learned so much last year; grew a lot from what I went through and am so excited.” The effort to learn and grow is sincere because of Simpson’s sense of humility. Also, the Ravens have him as a starter with William Kwenkeu and rookies Teddye Buchanan and Chandler Martin behind him. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, right, beats Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, left, for a catch in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. The Ravens are counting on Simpson taking a step forward in 2025, his third NFL season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Simpson, from Charlotte, North Carolina, reported to offseason workouts weeks before most other Ravens. Last year, he played at 235 pounds but has added 6-8 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. He is chiseled because of a diet that has helped increase his strength. He now squats over 500 pounds. “I’m just competing with myself,” Simpson said. “Honestly, just being sharp myself, focusing on coming in every day, making sure I know the game plan, communicating at a high level and playing fast. I truly feel like this year is just me versus me, and I want to go out there and make plays. “I mean, going back, I just did a lot of self-evaluation and looking at myself in the mirror and I knew that I wanted to gain a little bit more weight so I can be more stout against the run. I mean, I can run fast regardless of whatever weight I’m at. God gave me speed, so yeah, the weight was something I wanted to improve on myself.” There will be some missing parts. Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith will be in the middle again, and Simpson counted on him for advice. But he also was tutored by Harrison and Board, who are now playing elsewhere. Once considered a youngster, Simpson has become a veteran. “We always had a solid room,” Simpson said. “One thing I took away from in my rookie year is both [Smith] and Patrick [Queen] both playing relentlessly, playing like a Raven. What I learned from them is something that I know will benefit me.” Related Articles Ravens offer peek at latest stadium renovations, including premium seating M&T Bank Stadium plans new dining venues ahead of Ravens season Joe Flacco enters Browns competition as favorite to be starting QB Ravens TE Mark Andrews reflects on Bills playoff loss, addresses contract Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘ready to get back to work’ at OTAs Simpson still remains in frequent contact with Queen, the player he replaced at the start of last season. Despite the Steelers being Baltimore’s top nemesis, Pittsburgh now has Queen and Harrison. But Simpson wants to focus only on himself. This season has to be a big one. “Truthfully, you just have to know how important the details are at this level,” Simpson said. “Just knowing concepts and tendencies, just understanding that it’s a battle, it’s a long season. You just got to be able to stick it through, continue to perform. I need to be in the right spots so my teammates can depend on me.” One person who will keep an eye on Simpson is Harbaugh. There cannot be another “reset” period. Those ground rules were set after last season. “Trenton Simpson is a young player for sure, so there’s not any one thing I think [that] any one player needs to work on, but for Trenton, it’s going to be just processing the game at the position,” Harbaugh said. “That’s a function of study, for sure, but just also reps and confidence and learning the defense, understanding what the offense is trying to do. Then, when you get out there, processing the game, reacting, and I guess putting that physical ability — which is so prolific — putting it to good use.” Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

As Ravens players line up to take the field this season at M&T Bank Stadium, some fans will be able to get closer than ever before, with only a glass wall separating them from quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and his teammates. The same will hold true after games, with some fans also able to view postgame news conferences taking place inside the team’s interview room through a two-way mirror as coach John Harbaugh, Jackson and other players field questions from reporters in the fishbowl setting. Those are just two of the elements in the second of three phases of renovations that will debut this fall and which were on display during a tour for reporters Thursday afternoon. Along with other accoutrements, they will help bring the 27-year-old structure up to par with many other stadiums around the league that already offer such experiences and more. They also come at a premium. Only fans who pay top dollar for a membership to “The Trust” — one of three new exclusive clubs being offered this year, along with the “The Raven” and the “Champions Club” — will be able to access the space, which will include decorative touches such as the words to Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” upon entering. Its addition follows last season’s unveiling of the bespoke “Blackwing” suites, which are outfitted with marble counters, huge televisions, plush seating and high-end dining options. It also follows a trend in today’s stadium world, where keeping up with the Joneses with posh and pricey upgrades that cater to just a small but well-paying crowd has become part and parcel with an eye on attracting a broader spectrum of events and fans to the 71,008-seat venue. “Just one correction, we are at the premier stadium in the Mid-Atlantic already,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said Thursday when he was asked about the organization’s desire to be the top stadium in the region. “We wanted to make sure we invested to ensure that moving forward.” Indeed. The state had already earmarked $434 million in public money for the renovations, which are expected to be completed in 2026. But because the project ran over budget, the Ravens will kick in another $55 million, with the Maryland Stadium Authority reimbursing them up to $35 million, as announced earlier this year. That would bring the total price tag to about $489 million, with most of the money made available through a 2022 state law that allowed the stadium authority to borrow up to $1.2 billion in bonds to improve M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards ($600 million for each). By agreeing in January 2023 to a lease until at least 2037, the Ravens unlocked their share of those state funds. Other luxurious upgrades scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2025 season include the “Legends Suites” in the west end zone. There, high-paying customers will have access to a private suite area as well as members-only bar and food service, along with two rows of seats — 160 in total — on the field level. . From the "Legends Suites," fans who pay for premium access can watch the game from on-field seats in the west end zone ay M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) But the sumptuous enhancements aren’t just for Ravens games, of which there will be nine at home this season. “The nice thing about these renovations is the ability to activate the stadium in more dynamic ways,” Brown said. “We think this makes the stadium more attractive for third-party events — soccer matches, concerts.” While Baltimore lost out on its bid to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brown added that he has been in contact with the organization, as well as the Premier League and other soccer organizations, to ensure that the stadium would meet their myriad needs. Those talks have extended to the NFL as well, with a desire to be a host city for the NFL draft. Currently, Pittsburgh and Washington are scheduled to hold the draft in 2026 and 2027, respectively, after Green Bay, Wisconsin, was the site of this year’s three-day festivities. It’s a multi-layered process that will likely take at least a few more years, however. “We think this renovation positions us really well to have the stadium be a complementary piece of that,” Brown said. “NFL drafts take over the better part of a city, not just a stadium.” Not all of the latest round of renovations will cater to an exclusive crowd. The north plaza’s east structure will include a 6,600-square foot retail space with a second-floor hospitality area. The store will be open year-round and include the ability for fans to have a customized jersey created on the spot. Ravens team president Sashi Brown said renovations at M&T Bank Stadium "positions us to be one of the best stadiums if not the best stadium in the NFL for a long time." (Kim Hairston/Staff) The plaza’s west structure, which is expected to be completed in 2026, will include a three-level, open-air tailgate and concert venue as well as an indoor sports bar. Other venues open to all in 2025 include a new and larger roughly 5,000-square foot retail space on the west side of the stadium, where the team’s ticket office previously stood. A retail store at Gate A, meanwhile, is being converted into a walk-through “Ravenous Chicken” venue. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens LB Trenton Simpson must take next step | COMMENTARY M&T Bank Stadium plans new dining venues ahead of Ravens season Joe Flacco enters Browns competition as favorite to be starting QB Ravens TE Mark Andrews reflects on Bills playoff loss, addresses contract Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘ready to get back to work’ at OTAs “It’s been a team effort,” Brown said, citing the work senior vice president of stadium operations and guest experience Rich Tamayo and senior vice president of marketing Brad Downs have done in the lead-up. “We are real excited where M&T Bank Stadium sits today, and with these additional elements that are provided by the renovation in a joint venture between us and the state, we think it positions us to be one of the best stadiums if not the best stadium in the NFL for a long time.” He also, however, acknowledged the push for more elevated experiences in today’s landscape. “From concessions to just the everyday fan experience, certainly what’s happened over the last 20 years in sports venues, professional sports venues, college sports venues, has been to bring more offerings and what’s called premium or club spaces,” Brown said. “But a lot of our investment here is going to really touch every fan who comes in the building.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Nearly two months before M&T Bank Stadium welcomes fans back for its first preseason game, the Ravens are preparing to serve up several new venues for food and beverages, including a walk-through dining concept and a “hospitality village” on a rooftop setting. In 2023, the Ravens announced a three-year renovation project to level up stadium infrastructure and offerings. With the upgrades come new dining spaces. Here are the highlights. The most stadium-accessible of these developments will be a repurposed team retail store at Section 153, which will transform into a food hub featuring the preexisting “Ravenous Chicken” fried-chicken-centric concessions, as well as offerings from other to-be-announced vendors. “Ravenous Chicken has been a great concept for us,” said Brad Downs, senior vice president of marketing for the Ravens. Its newest space will boast self-serve food slides and reach-in beverage coolers to maximize efficiency. The North Plaza "Hospitality Village" is currently under construction at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jane Godiner/Staff) Fans will also be able to make their way to North Plaza to try bites and sips from an under-construction “Hospitality Village,” which will sit atop of a new retail plaza with a jersey customization shop. The upstairs hospitality space will feature a full-service bar and two built-in food and beverage areas, as well as a seating area for upwards of 300 guests. During non-game days, the area will serve as an event space. “We love our rooftops here in Baltimore,” Downs said. Richard Tamayo, senior vice president of stadium operations, added that he doesn’t foresee this upstairs area becoming overly packed. “It’ll be a very comfortable, very good social experience,” he said. Aside from these public dining venues, the stadium will also add three field-level premium clubs, which have for-purchase memberships available exclusively to Personal Seat License owners: The Raven: Near the 50-yard line and complete with nods to Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven.” Champions Club: Behind the west end zone and with bars that pay homage to the Ravens’ two Super Bowl victories. The Trust: On the south side of the stadium, themed after 1900s Baltimore banks. Related Articles Baltimore mussels restaurant Bertha’s sells for $1.2M at auction Tangy cherry preserves bring balance to this ancient ricotta tart Charlsie’s Bakehouse owner plans next gig after Catonsville bakery closure Recipes: Use blackberries to make a pie, tiny cakes and even a salad Catonsville bakery to shutter with ‘Grand Closing’ celebration At each of these clubs, as well as the under-construction Legend Suites, members can expect a range of food and drink options — from all-inclusive premium cocktails to a sushi bar. More information about concessions and dining at M&T Bank Stadium, said Downs and Tamayo, will be announced in the weeks leading up to opening day. Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @JaneCraves. View the full article

BEREA, Ohio — Kenny Pickett realizes that almost all the offseason attention devoted to the Cleveland Browns is on the quarterback competition. Pickett wants to make one thing abundantly clear, though — even though it is a competition, things haven’t gotten heated inside the quarterback room. “I think the outside world makes it a lot bigger than it is. Of course, we’re all competing, but you become friends with everybody,” Pickett said on Wednesday after the Browns completed their second day of organized team activities. “I think it’s a great media headline, but when you get in the building in a quarterback room and at least all the ones I’ve been in, you really become friends with these guys, and we’re just pushing each other.” Pickett and former Ravens star Joe Flacco got the majority of the snaps with the veterans. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel got one series of 11-on-11 drills on the main field, while fifth-round selection Shedeur Sanders had none. Gabriel and Sanders got most of their work with the other rookies on the adjacent field. Even though he is 40 years old, Flacco is the slight favorite to be under center when the Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7 in the season opener. “It’s funny, it’s like every time I go out here in the offseason, I’ve done it a million times, but it’s like there’s a little piece of you that’s like, ‘All right, let’s see if I still know how to read it and let it go and do all those things.’ So it’s good to get back out there and start doing it again,” said Flacco, the AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, after he went 4-1 as a starter and led the Browns to the playoffs for only the third time since their return in 1999. Even though Flacco said this is the first quarterback competition of this magnitude he has experienced since being a sophomore in high school in Audubon, New Jersey, he isn’t focused too much on it at this stage of the offseason. “I’m just going out there and doing what I do, and everything else is kind of out of my control. So all I can do is go out there and play football and that’s what I’m doing,” Flacco said. The Browns acquired Pickett in a trade with Philadelphia when the league year opened in March. Pickett started one game last season for the Super Bowl champion Eagles while backing up Jalen Hurts. He was 14-10 as a starter in two years with Pittsburgh after being the Steelers first-round pick in 2022. Pickett admitted that there are more similarities between the Eagles’ and Browns’ offenses than most people realize. The biggest thing he has focused on is getting up to speed with the terminology. “I think it has gone well. They’re doing a great job of getting everyone reps to get experience with the offense and get a feel for everybody,” he said. In 2023, Joe Flacco went 4-1 as the starter and led the Browns to the playoffs. (AP Photo/Phil Long) Pickett and Flacco both have developed a good rapport with Jerry Jeudy. The sixth-year wide receiver had one of the day’s best catches on a deep route from Flacco on one of the first plays during 11-on-11 drills. “It’s been good. I don’t think there were many dropped balls,” Jeudy said. “So quarterbacks were putting balls right on the money and receivers were making plays. We’re going to keep doing that.” Gabriel had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and picked off by first-round pick Mason Graham. Both Gabriel and Sanders fared well in 7-on-7 drills against rookies. Coach Kevin Stefanski said all of the rookies’ snaps remain valuable, whether they are on or off the field. “They’re being graded on every play. And there’s a variety of things that they’re being graded on, but for the quarterback, decision-making, technique, accuracy, those type of things,” he said. “We love the opportunity being out here on the practice field and have two drills where we can maximize all the time that we’re out here.” Garrett’s absence There were two notable absences at Wednesday’s voluntary practice. Defensive end Myles Garrett is in Japan and accompanied Olympic snowboard gold medalist Chloe Kim at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Stefanski said he didn’t know if Garrett would be back with the team before the mandatory minicamp begins on June 10. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who signed with the team on May 5, might be the bigger no-show since the Browns are his fourth team in less than a year. “I’m worried about day to day, but let me reiterate, this is a voluntary program across the NFL guys,″ Stefanski said. “That’s their right, whether they’re here or not. The guys that are here, we coach ’em up. The guys that aren’t here, that is totally their decision to make.” View the full article

A little more than four months removed from his infamous dropped 2-point conversion in the Ravens’ divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills last season, Mark Andrews called the ignominious if not vexing moment “motivation” for the season ahead. “It’s tough,” he said at voluntary organized team activities Wednesday in Owings Mills in what were his first comments to reporters since the 27-25 defeat at a snowy Highmark Stadium that ended Baltimore’s bid for a Super Bowl title in January. “This is my life. I’ve put a lot of work into this and everything I do is focused on that, everything I think about is focused on that, and so it wasn’t the way that I had planned it, but that’s all part of the story. “I’ve been using it, and I’ve had an incredible offseason, and I’m excited just to show what I can continue to do and continue to prove myself and step up in big moments. And that’s the thing about sports is that it doesn’t always fall your way. It doesn’t always go your way, but it’s how you bounce back.” That story was a stunning moment, for the veteran and star tight end and the Ravens. In the defeat to Buffalo, Andrews also lost a fumble midway through the fourth quarter shortly after crossing midfield that the Bills turned into what ended up being the decisive field goal. Still, the Ravens had a chance to tie the game after Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely on a 24-yard touchdown with 1:44 remaining. But as Jackson rolled right on the 2-point attempt and Andrews came open at the goal line, Andrews bobbled and dropped the ball as he fell backward into the end zone on the slick turf. After the game — one in which Baltimore had three turnovers, including two by Jackson — Andrews was not made available to reporters. He also didn’t appear at locker cleanout at the team’s facility the next afternoon. Later that week, Andrews posted a statement on Instagram, saying he was “absolutely gutted” by what happened and that he was “devastated” for his teammates. Meanwhile, trade speculation swirled almost immediately once the loss set in. Andrews, who will turn 30 in September, is entering the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract. Likely, 25, is also in the final year of his rookie contract, as is fellow tight end Charlie Kolar, 26, and being able to extend all three players is unfeasible, particularly with the need to address other extensions, including one for Jackson. General manager Eric DeCosta finally put Andrews trade speculation to bed when he said during the draft that he fully expected him to be on the team this season, but Andrews’ future beyond 2025 remains uncertain at best. Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews, left, and Isaiah Likely practice on Wednesday at voluntary OTAs. Likely called Andrews a "big brother" to him during his NFL career. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Andrews is coming off a year in which he became the franchise leader in career touchdowns, but he averaged just 39.6 receiving yards per game, his lowest mark since his rookie year in 2018. He also counts $16.9 million against the salary cap, the third-highest mark on the team behind only Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith, and there have yet to be discussions about an extension. Asked about whether he expected to be back this season or whether he expects an extension, Andrews demurred, saying he’s just focused on helping the team and that the cards will fall where they may. “It’s not for me to deal with that,” he said. “I thought Eric had a great way to say it — he’s in the business of keeping great players and, for me, I’m a great player. “I think I’ve been able to do it at the highest level, the best of the best for a long time and I’m not slowing down.” Unsurprisingly, Likely was just one player glad to see Andrews back on the field for what was a well-attended two-hour practice on Wednesday. “That’s big brother,” Likely said of Andrews. “I’m glad everybody’s speculation died down.” It also wasn’t the first time since that defeat to the Bills that the two tight ends had spoken. After the game, Likely said he texted Andrews. He wanted to let him know that one moment does not define a career. Related Articles Joe Flacco enters Browns competition as favorite to be starting QB Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘ready to get back to work’ at OTAs Renderings of renovations to Ravens stadium | PHOTOS Ravens hit the field again this week. Here are 5 things to watch. READER POLL: How should the Orioles approach the MLB trade deadline? “I said don’t let one play really let you forget that you’re an All-Pro,” Likely said. “Everybody knows how fantastic Mark’s been, making plays since before I even got here. “Him being him, he’s gonna take it all in, let the moment happen and just be a pro.” That includes moving beyond the loss to the Bills. “As a professional, it’s all about being able to move past it but storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end,” Andrews said. “This is something I’m going to work with, and get better and improve and move on.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews warms up during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews warms up during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins and wide receiver Malik Cunningham Ravens during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens offensive line backer Odafe Owen takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely makes a catch during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews, left, and Isaiah Likely practice on Wednesday at voluntary OTAs. Likely called Andrews a "big brother" to him during his NFL career. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely gestures during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and ..Cooper Rush participate in OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum and quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Show Caption1 of 22Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Expand View the full article

As Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely put it, a strong attendance for the first open practice of organized team activities is a credit to the sour taste leftover from their playoff loss in Buffalo and the joy that comes with getting back on the field. But having quarterback Lamar Jackson taking reps at the Owings Mills facility on Wednesday heightened that May football energy to a new level. “Having one of your leaders — really your top dog — out there showing that he’s ready to get back to work,” Likely said of the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. It’s a heel turn from this time last year, when Jackson was absent for a majority of the offseason’s voluntary practices. That reportedly cost Baltimore’s franchise quarterback his summer workout bonus of $750,000. NBC Sports reported that Jackson must complete at least 80% of the team’s optional workouts for the bonus to kick in, which is inked into his contract through 2027. Jackson was not made available to speak with reporters after Wednesday’s practice, but his coach was impressed with what he saw. “He works hard at it. It means a lot to him,” John Harbaugh said. “He’s been studying. He’s been training. You can tell what kind of shape he’s in right now, you can see by the way he threw the ball today. He’s on point with the offense. He’s ready. He’s ready to get going. Had a heck of a day today. I think what you saw today with him is probably indicative of everybody.” Added tight end Mark Andrews: “There’s no one more hungry than Lamar. … Just being around him, it’s infectious. How driven he is and how focused he is on the end goal.” The Ravens had a surprisingly strong showing at the first open OTA session. Baltimore has eight more scheduled practices over the next two weeks before holding mandatory minicamp in June and training camp in July. Safety Ar’Darius Washington (torn Achilles tendon) and rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (labrum) were expected injury-related absences. A pair of offseason additions did not participate: Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and linebacker Jake Hummel. Veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and right guard Daniel Faalele were also missing. Harbaugh said that Faalele is “working on some physical things” but should be back on the field soon. Around the horn • Washington, who suffered a clean Achilles tear earlier this month, told Harbaugh that he intends to be back on the field by November. “He’s always been a quick healer,” Harbaugh said. “I’m looking at November [or] December, in my mind.” Washington, 25, last month signed the less expensive, $3.3 million one-year tender to stay in Baltimore. Related Articles Joe Flacco enters Browns competition as favorite to be starting QB Ravens TE Mark Andrews reflects on Bills playoff loss, addresses contract Renderings of renovations to Ravens stadium | PHOTOS Ravens hit the field again this week. Here are 5 things to watch. READER POLL: How should the Orioles approach the MLB trade deadline? • Rookie Tyler Loop did not kick on Wednesday as part of an alternating day off with undrafted free agent John Hoyland. Harbaugh reiterated that the organization’s decision to release veteran Justin Tucker was a “many-layered decision” and a “football decision.” Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen Baltimore-area massage therapists and is currently under investigation by the NFL. • Edge rusher Odafe Oweh said a “nasty” offseason diet of dry chicken, Brussels sprouts and asparagus helped bulk up from 245 pounds last season to now around 265. The 2021 first-round draft pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. • The Ravens are working to schedule joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders, two of three opponents on their preseason schedule. Baltimore announced that its preseason finale at Washington will be Saturday, Aug. 23, at noon. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins and wide receiver Malik Cunningham Ravens during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens offensive line backer Odafe Owen takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews takes questions after OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely makes a catch during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)From left, Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Cooper Rush participate in OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. Jackson's presence increased the energy of the workouts, according to tight end Isaiah Likely. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum and quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely gestures during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews warms up during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews warms up during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Show Caption1 of 22Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during OTAs at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Expand View the full article

Renderings of phase 2 of the M&T Bank Stadium renovations. Champions Club is located behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game. Renderings of the Legends Suites in the West End Zone as part of the phase 2 renovations to M&T Bank Stadium. Suite holders can take in the game from two rows of seating directly on the field in the west end zone of M&T Bank Stadium. Guests will have access to both a private suite area and to a members-only social area outfitted with bar and food service stations before, during and after the game. The space will also feature a sushi bar. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) Renderings of phase 2 of the M&T Bank Stadium renovations. Champions Club is located behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game. Rendering of The Trust, presented by M&T Bank. The Trust, one of the three new club memberships being offered to PSL owners is located on the south side of M&T Bank Stadium, is an ultra-premium, lower concourse club that offers unique team access, including views of the Ravens' player tunnel at the 50-yard line and the post-game press conference room. The space encapsulates a lounge-like atmosphere with design elements reminiscent of early 1900s Baltimore banks. Renderings of phase 2 of the M&T Bank Stadium renovations. Champions Club is located behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game. The Raven, one of the three new club memberships being offered to PSL owners. Situated near the 50-yard line and underneath the lower level, The Raven is located on the north side of M&T Bank Stadium and provides an elevated club experience. The space will feature thematic touches related to the team's namesake, the poem "The Raven." Rendering of The Trust, presented by M&T Bank. The Trust, one of the three new club memberships being offered to PSL owners is located on the south side of M&T Bank Stadium, is an ultra-premium, lower concourse club that offers unique team access, including views of the Ravens' player tunnel at the 50-yard line and the post-game press conference room. The space encapsulates a lounge-like atmosphere with design elements reminiscent of early 1900s Baltimore banks. Renderings of the Northeast Retail & Hospitality Village at M&T Bank Stadium. The east structure will feature a 6,600 square foot retail space with a second-floor hospitality area. The store will be an immersive shopping experience for Ravens fans on both gameday and non-gamedays. Open year-round, the store will feature RFID self-checkout, a unique Nike feature display and a jersey customization shop. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) Rendering of The Raven, one of the three new club memberships being offered to PSL owners. Situated near the 50-yard line and underneath the lower level, The Raven is located on the north side of M&T Bank Stadium and provides an elevated club experience. The space will feature thematic touches related to the team's namesake, the poem "The Raven." Renderings of the Legends Suites in the West End Zone. Suite holders can take in the game from two rows of seating directly on the field in the west end zone of M&T Bank Stadium. Guests will have access to both a private suite area and to a members-only social area outfitted with bar and food service stations before, during and after the game. The space will also feature a sushi bar. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) Renderings of phase 2 of the M&T Bank Stadium renovations. Champions Club is located behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game. Renderings of new stadium video displays highlighted by a 216-foot video display at Gate A, wider than RavensVision, M&T Bank Stadium will add 29 new displays totaling over 6,500 square feet and more than 75 million pixels. (Additional upgrades scheduled for 2026 will increase the display totals to 12,000 square feet and 111 million total pixels.) Over 100 televisions will also be replaced with larger screens. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) Renderings of phase 2 of the M&T Bank Stadium renovations. Champions Club is located behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game. Renderings of new stadium video displays highlighted by a 216-foot video display at Gate A, wider than RavensVision. M&T Bank Stadium will add 29 new displays totaling over 6,500 square feet and more than 75 million pixels.nOver 100 televisions will also be replaced with larger screens. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) Renderings of the Northeast Retail & Hospitality Village at M&T Bank Stadium. The east structure will feature a 6,600 square foot retail space with a second-floor hospitality area. The store will be an immersive shopping experience for Ravens fans on both gameday and non-gamedays. Open year-round, the store will feature RFID self-checkout, a unique Nike feature display and a jersey customization shop. (Scheduled Completion: 2025) View the full article

The Ravens are back to work this week with the start of voluntary organized team activities, though that work never fully stopped. After the draft in the end of April, there was rookie minicamp. Then, Baltimore decided not to wait for the NFL’s investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against kicker Justin Tucker to conclude and released the 35-year-old potential Hall of Famer with nary a mention of said allegations in its statement. The team’s offseason workout program, meanwhile, has been ongoing, which included the news that safety Ar’Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that will cost him most if not all of the season. And last week, Derrick Henry officially signed his two-year, $30 million extension, a move that keeps him, quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Justice Hill, receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten in Baltimore through at least the 2026 season. Now comes OTAs, which will kick off Tuesday and run through Thursday in Owings Mills, with only Wednesday’s session open to reporters. A similar schedule will play out in the two weeks that follow before a two-day mandatory minicamp June 17-18 — interestingly shortened from three days in recent years — in which all players are typically expected to report. There is no contact allowed, but seven-on-seven and full-team work is. Here are the biggest things to watch for this spring: Will Lamar Jackson be in attendance? The last time Jackson spoke with reporters, his frustration was in full throat following Baltimore’s divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills in January. In that game, the Ravens turned the ball over three times — with two of them coming via an interception by Jackson and then a fumble by the quarterback. As for whether he’ll be at OTAs, that’s still to be determined, though he has typically showed up for at least some of the voluntary sessions in the past. But his attendance — or lack thereof — could be worth watching for another reason. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is in line for a contract extension. Though Jackson’s current deal runs through the 2027 season, there’s an impetus for general manager Eric DeCosta to sign him to an extension sometime in the next roughly 10 months with Jackson’s salary cap number ballooning from $43.5 million this year to a prohibitive $74.5 million each of the next two. The Ravens said they have begun internal discussions about said extension, but what, if any, talks they’ve had with Jackson is still unclear, and both sides usually like to keep those conversations private. In 2022, a year before Jackson signed his current contract, he skipped OTAs, though he later said the decision was not contract-related. In the meantime, Jackson has been working out with Flowers in South Florida. The extent of those throwing sessions isn’t known, but a few clips have been posted to social media in recent days. The only question that remains is whether Jackson will be throwing to the rest of his receivers in Owings Mills during OTAs. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop practices during rookie minicamp. The sixth-round pick is tasked with replacing veteran Justin Tucker. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Kicking competition For the first time since 2012, the Ravens will have a new kicker. Sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop out of Arizona and undrafted free agent John Hoyland from Wyoming are expected to compete for the job. Loop is the favorite as the first kicker Baltimore has ever used a draft pick on, but it’s worth remembering that Tucker was an undrafted free agent when the Ravens signed him a few months after Billy Cundiff missed a potential game-tying 32-yard field goal attempt in the waning seconds of the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots in 2012. Related Articles READER POLL: How should the Orioles approach the MLB trade deadline? Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay dies at 65 Olympic flag football: Which Ravens might consider going for gold? Ravens RB Derrick Henry ‘fell in love’ with franchise, wants Super Bowl Ravens add needed bulk to defensive line with veteran nose tackle Both Loop and Hoyland were on display during the team’s rookie minicamp earlier this month, and each missed some kicks on the day that was open to the media. But that’s also probably to be expected early on. As Tucker said after winning the job more than a decade ago, “To the naked eye, it doesn’t look like I’ve made a lot of changes, but I’ve made a complete transformation from the kicker I was in college to the kicker I am today.” Either way, expect the competition between Loop and Hoyland (and possibly a veteran free agent) to be one of the bigger stories of OTAs and training camp with Baltimore having to worry about a position that was a no-brainer for a dozen years. What will Mark Andrews have to say? While Jackson hasn’t spoken to reporters since after the Bills loss, Andrews hasn’t done so since dropping a would-be game-tying 2-point conversion with 1:33 remaining in that game. Andrews was not made available following the game and he did not appear at locker cleanout the next day. His only comments since came in an Instagram post a few days later and in an interview with ESPN as part of a promotional tour for a name, image and likeness program for college athletes with diabetes. In that interview, Andrews said his gloves were “soaked,” but that he still should have caught the pass. He also addressed the trade speculation that has swirled, saying his relationship with the Ravens and DeCosta is strong. Andrews is entering the final year of his contract, while fellow tight end Isaiah Likely, who at age 25 is five years younger and on the rise, is also in the final year of his rookie deal, thus fueling questions about Andrews’ future. The only certainty — for now — is that Andrews will be playing for the Ravens this season, with DeCosta having said as much during the draft. But a veteran as accomplished as Andrews, who still has a few productive seasons left playing on the final year of his deal, does present some questions. Most notably, does Andrews want to be extended before the season starts, and would he ask to be traded should the Ravens extend Likely? For a team with a roster fit for a Super Bowl run, it’s a delicate dance. Ravens safety Malaki Starks will take on an even bigger role after Ar'Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles tendon. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) It’s Malaki Starks’ time The rookie safety and first-round pick playing early and often for Baltimore was always a possibility if not likelihood — everyone from DeCosta to coach John Harbaugh to others around the league have praised the former Georgia standout for his talent, maturity and football IQ. Now, with Washington out and the Ravens a little thinner at the position that possibility becomes a certainty. Even if Baltimore adds a veteran safety — there are plenty of affordable options on the market — Starks should get a chance to show off his medley of skills, and it will be interesting to see the development of second-year players Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade as well. “I just want to be a sponge,” Starks said earlier this month when asked about what he can learn from Washington and All-Pro and two-time All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. It’ll be interesting to watch how the Ravens deploy him without Washington in the fold. Either way, he’ll need to soak things up quickly. Cooper Rush is Lamar Jackson's new backup. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News/TNS) A new backup quarterback For the first time in a long time, the Ravens have made a notable investment in their No. 2 quarterback, signing veteran and former Dallas Cowboys backup Cooper Rush to a two-year, $6.2 million deal in March. It was a fascinating move after Baltimore spent little on the position in recent years, with 38-year-old Josh Johnson and 2020 undrafted free agent Tyler Huntley before that. It also gives the Ravens a much better option should Jackson miss any time because of injury, with Rush, 31, having appeared in 38 games, including 14 as a starter. Dallas was 9-5 in those games Rush started, which included the final eight of last season, and he’s coming off a year in which he completed 60.7% of his passes, threw for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. With Jackson unlikely to be at every voluntary practice the next few weeks and the only other quarterback on the roster (for now) being project and last year’s sixth-round pick Devin Leary, Rush should get a healthy dose of snaps in a new offense over the next few weeks. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

History is not on the Orioles’ side. Teams this far below .500 at this point in the season have very rarely turned things around and made the postseason. And with the trade deadline looming later this season and Baltimore having plenty of capital to potentially trade away, it could make for an interesting summer. How should Baltimore approach the MLB trade deadline? We want to know your thoughts. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts’ owner who leveraged the popularity of Peyton Manning into a new stadium and a Super Bowl title, died Wednesday at age 65. Pete Ward, Irsay’s longtime right-hand man and the teams chief operating officer, made the announcement in a statement from the team. He said Irsay died peacefully in his sleep. “Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” Ward said. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.” After his father moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984, Irsay had a profound impact on the franchise. With Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian, Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and Manning, Irsay helped turn the Colts from a laughingstock into a perennial title contender. But Irsay had battled health problems in recent years and became less visible following a fall at his home. Police officers from Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indy, responded to a 911 call from Irsay’s home Dec. 8. According to the police report, the officers found Irsay breathing but unresponsive and with a bluish skin tone. Ward, the report said, told officers he was worried Irsay was suffering from congestive heart failure and that Irsay’s nurse had said Irsay’s oxygen level was low, his breathing was labored and he was “mostly” unconscious. A month later, he was diagnosed with a respiratory illness. During his annual training camp news conference last summer, Irsay told reporters he was continuing to rehab from two subsequent surgeries — though he remained seated in his golf cart. Irsay did not speak during the recent NFL draft as he typically did. He had also battled addictions to alcohol and painkillers. Irsay began his football life as a ball boy after his late father, Robert, acquired the team in a trade with the late Carroll Rosenbloom, who took over the Los Angeles Rams. The younger Irsay then worked his way up, becoming the youngest general manager in NFL history at age 24. He succeeded his father as owner in early 1997. He also collected guitars, befriended musicians and often found inspiration in rock ’n’ roll lyrics. This article will be updated. View the full article

NFL players in the Olympics? It might be happening. At the spring meetings Tuesday, NFL owners unanimously approved allowing players to participate in flag football for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. While it’s not a done deal yet, the vote authorized the league to negotiate safety provisions and scheduling logistics with the NFL Players Association and relevant international and national team governing bodies. As part of the basic structure that will continue to be negotiated before teams suit up in three years, no more than one player per NFL team would be permitted and Olympic rosters will be selected by the national committee for each country. A quick rules overview: Olympic flag football will be played five-on-five on a 70-by-25-yard field with two 20-minute halves. There are no linemen, and jumping and diving as the ball carrier is illegal. Teams have four downs to reach midfield and four downs to score a touchdown, so there’s no punting or kicking. There are also no run plays allowed within 5 yards of the end zone. Could the Ravens get in on the fun? Here’s a look at some notable players and why they might or might not participate: Lamar Jackson Why he might play: Jackson is a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and one of the game’s most popular players, both on and off the field. The NFL has been steadily increasing its global footprint in recent years with more international games and expanding marketing rights for teams, including the Ravens. What better way to grow the game than having one of its biggest stars be the face of Team USA? Jackson has also been business savvy throughout his career, holding firm in his prolonged negotiations for a five-year, $260 million contract extension in 2023, creating Era 8 Apparel and opening up a restaurant in South Florida. He wasn’t afraid to file a trademark opposition against NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. either. The NFL is already a hugely popular draw domestically, but this would be a chance to reach a lot more fans around the world and land some big-time endorsements. Being the star quarterback for the first flag football competition in Olympics history could also be part of Jackson’s growing legacy. It might not be in the first paragraph of his career resume when it’s all said and done, but it could be a memorable part of his journey. Why he might not: There’s a lot of red tape that could prevent Jackson from taking part in such an endeavor. For starters, there’s the injury risk that comes with any serious competition that takes place outside the normal preparation and performance of a strictly regimented NFL season. When asked about the potential of NFL players in the Olympics during the owners meetings in late March, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was less than thrilled. “I’m afraid I have a quarterback that’d probably be pretty good at it, so no, I’m not that excited about that in all honesty,” he said. “I believe in America. I want gold medals, but [there’s a limit.]” The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 14 to July 30, so training camp schedules could be a factor, though players are typically off during that period. Jackson has also missed offseason workouts at times for various reasons throughout his career and still played at a high level, perhaps giving him some leeway to participate. Ravens running back Derrick Henry, shown racing around the edge against the Bengals in 2024, might not have the best playing style for flag football. Still, the bruising running back has enough speed to warrant consideration for the U.S. Olympic team in 2028, if he's interested. (Staff file) Derrick Henry Why he might play: Henry recently signed a two-year extension that will guarantee him $25 million and keep him in Baltimore through the 2027 season. The star running back will turn 34 at the tail end of that campaign, and whether he wants to keep playing at that point will surely be a topic of discussion. Even if he does plan to retire, there’s no doubt he’ll be in top shape. There are few humans on the planet who take care of their body as well as Henry does, Olympic athletes included. Why he might not: Henry’s bruising, downhill style might not be best suited for flag football, which is more about lateral agility. He can’t run someone over the way he does now. Still, there are few 6-foot-2, 247-pound humans who move as fast as he does. Since the NFL’s Next Gen Stats tracking began in 2018, only Tyreek Hill has hit 20 mph more often than Henry. Zay Flowers Why he might play: Nicknamed “Joystick” as a rookie by Jackson for his ability to make defenders miss, Flowers is a natural playmaker with the ball in his hands who could thrive in a wide-open flag football environment. He’ll also be just 27 in the summer of 2028. Why he might not: The same injury risks apply, as Flowers is only 5-9, 175 pounds and coming off a knee sprain that kept him out of the playoffs. Wide receiver is also a competitive spot, with Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and many others ahead in the pecking order if they decide to play. Kyle Hamilton Why he might play: Hamilton is proud of his Korean and Black ethnicity and was born in Greece before his family moved to Atlanta. That cultural diversity could attract him to the Olympics as a way to celebrate his heritage in the United States or perhaps represent a different country. Hamilton tweeted an emoji of the national flag of South Korea soon after the news was announced Tuesday. The star safety’s play on the field speaks for itself. The 2022 first-round draft pick is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and considered one of the most versatile defenders in the league. He’d be a natural fit at any position in flag football. Why he might not: Hamilton is heading into his fourth NFL season, making him eligible for a long-term contract extension. His next deal could put him near the top of the market for all defenders, making the injury risk that much harder to stomach. Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, shown intercepting a pass against the Browns, is one of the fastest cornerbacks in the NFL. His athleticism could lead to success as a flag football player. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Nate Wiggins Why he might play: Speed is the name of the game, and Wiggins has plenty of it. He ran a blistering 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL scouting combine before being selected in the first round by the Ravens and showed flashes of being a potential star as a rookie. Why he might not: Defensive back might be one of the toughest positions to crack on the U.S. roster. Even if Wiggins reaches his full potential, there are several big-name players who could beat him out for a spot. Daniel Faalele Why he might play: Faalele played basketball and rugby in Australia before transitioning to football, so although he plays the less glamorous position of offensive line, he’s certainly athletic. His home country could be willing to embrace an NFL player’s stardom. Why he might not: Blocking is not allowed in flag football, removing the best part of Faalele’s game. There is a center position, but unlike in tackle football, he becomes a receiver after snapping the ball. It would be a real thrill to see the 6-8, 380-pound Faalele catching passes and motoring down the field, but he’d have to prove he can do it consistently. Related Articles Ravens RB Derrick Henry ‘fell in love’ with franchise, wants Super Bowl Ravens add needed bulk to defensive line with veteran nose tackle Ravens favored in 15 of their 17 games in 2025 season, oddsmaker says Mike Preston: Ravens’ 2025 schedule demands inward focus | COMMENTARY Ravens 2025 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Odafe Oweh Why he might play: Flag football defenses can have a maximum of two blitzers who can rush the quarterback so long as they are 7 yards from the line of scrimmage before the snap. Oweh is one of the fastest edge rushers in the league, recording a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that would have tied the NFL scouting combine record for his position. After being known by his middle name Jayson at Penn State, he started going by Odafe once he reached the NFL to honor his Nigerian heritage. Representing his roots could be his path to the Olympics. Why he might not: Perhaps the only thing that would stop Oweh from playing is the risk of injury or a pre-existing one. He’s only 26 entering his fifth season in the league. David Ojabo Why he might play: Oweh and Ojabo lined up on the same defense at Blair Academy in New Jersey and could do so again for the Nigerian national team. Before coming to the U.S. at age 15, Ojabo was also an elite basketball player in Scotland, so he could have options. Why he might not: After suffering a torn Achilles tendon before being picked in the second round of the 2022 draft and later having surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in 2023, Ojabo has struggled to stay on the field with the Ravens. He’s played just 18 games over three seasons while recording four sacks. He’s only 25, but it’s an open question whether he’ll be in top form in 2028. Tavius Robinson Why he might play: Robinson and former Ravens defensive lineman Brent Urban are both Canadian, giving them a path to make an Olympic roster. Robinson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has come on strong in recent seasons at outside linebacker and could be a regular contributor by the time the 2028 Games roll around. Why he might not: Team Canada could have a highly competitive tryout process. Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, Giants safety Jevon Holland, Bills wide receiver Josh Palmer, Bengals running back Chase Brown and Chargers cornerback Benjamin St-Juste are some of the most notable Canadians in the NFL, though Robinson looks like one of the best options on defense. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Derrick Henry is a patient runner. When it comes to trying to accomplish his goal of getting to — and winning — a Super Bowl, not so much. A week after the Ravens’ season ended with a familiarly dismaying 27-25 divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills, the 31-year-old was already back in the gym working out. “My mind was going crazy,” Henry said Monday, speaking with reporters for the first time since signing a two-year, $30 million extension last week that will keep him in Baltimore through the 2027 season. “I couldn’t wait no more. I couldn’t hold off.” That was true earlier in the day, too. Because of a flight delay out of Texas, Henry didn’t land in Baltimore until around 4:45 a.m. on Monday. Despite just 30 minutes of sleep, he arrived at the team’s facility in Owings Mills for a workout around 6 a.m. before officially signing his extension later in the morning, which perhaps explains the bulging biceps and sleeveless workout hoodie he donned for the photo op on the team’s social media channels. That contract makes Henry, who was set to enter the final year of his deal after signing with Baltimore last year following eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, the highest paid running back over age 30 in history and third-highest paid back in the league in terms of average annual value behind only Saquon Barkley, who led the league in rushing and helped the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super bowl title, and the San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey. It was a priority as well, as much for the team as it was for the player. Last season, Henry finished second in the league with 1,921 yards rushing, posted career highs in yards per carry (5.9) and total touchdowns (18) and helped Baltimore become the first team in league history to top 3,000 yards rushing and 4,000 passing in the same season. Baltimore finished 12-5 and won the AFC North, and Henry said earlier this offseason that he wants to finish his career with the Ravens. “I just fell in love with everything, with the brotherhood, by the way they work, how they approach everything,” he said Monday. “I know we came up short, but it was a lot of fun.” With Henry returning alongside quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson — whose current contract also runs through 2027 — to form perhaps the most electrifying and potent backfield in the sport, keeping the two together as long as possible was also as much a no-brainer as it was inevitable. “I think he fits our identity as an organization,” assistant head coach/running backs Willie Taggart, right, said of Derrick Henry. “I think he fits Baltimore as a city and what the city stands for." (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Ravens running back Derrick Henry, left, and assistant head coach/running backs Willie Taggart speaks with media during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Ravens running back Derrick Henry, left, and assistant head coach/running backs Willie Taggart speaks with media during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Show Caption1 of 3“I think he fits our identity as an organization,” assistant head coach/running backs Willie Taggart, right, said of Derrick Henry. “I think he fits Baltimore as a city and what the city stands for." (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Expand “I think he fits our identity as an organization,” running backs coach Willie Taggart said of Henry. “I think he fits Baltimore as a city and what the city stands for. “When you watch the Ravens play, it was always dominating and physical, and when you watch Derrick run, it’s dominating and physical. You think about our city, it’s dominating and physical.” That domination has Henry within reach of the top 10 of the NFL’s all-time leading rushers. With 11,423 career yards, he currently ranks 19th and is just 1,316 yards shy of 10th-ranked Tony Dorsett. Only once in the past six years when Henry has played a full schedule has he not eclipsed that total. The historical context is not lost on him. “When you say something like that, it’s a surreal moment to be able to have that opportunity and be in that conversation,” he said. “God has blessed me tremendously, and since I was 5 years old, I fell in love with this game. Playing this position, I always looked up to the great running backs who played this game at a high level, who are legends of the game, dreaming of my game being mentioned with them one day.” Henry’s impact has also permeated the Ravens’ locker room. “You take a guy like Derrick who’s played at a high level his entire career, and to come in, and the way he practices, the way he takes meetings and for those younger guys to see that, I mean, it sets an example for them,” Taggart said. “They’re all young. They all want to have a career like Derrick’s, and to see that he’s this deep into his career, and he’s still taking it as if he was a rookie. It has changed our room dramatically.” Related Articles Ravens add needed bulk to defensive line with veteran nose tackle Ravens favored in 15 of their 17 games in 2025 season, oddsmaker says Mike Preston: Ravens’ 2025 schedule demands inward focus | COMMENTARY Ravens 2025 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Ravens parody streaming hit ‘Severance’ in schedule release video The only question that remains now is whether the end result will be the Ravens’ first Super Bowl title since the 2012 season. Despite Henry’s age — a time when a running back’s production has often fallen off steeply — there is clearly little concern over his ability dropping off. If there was, Baltimore likely would not have agreed to such a pricey extension, particularly with several other priorities, including Jackson’s contract, needing to be addressed soon. But the extension ratchets up expectations, too. With a team that returns largely intact from a season ago, it will again be Super Bowl-or-bust for the Ravens. “I’m not going to get into any expectations,” Henry said. “Everything looks good on paper until you go out there and actually do it. We know what we’re capable of and what we can do, but we know the work we’ve got to put in to do those things and get where we want to go and be one of the top offenses in the league. It’s a lot of work we’ve still got to put in. We’ve got a lot of great players around the offense, and you’ve got to put the work in individually, and then we all get together collectively to do those things to be a top team, top offense and do things special that we want to do to get to where we want to go.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. “I think he fits our identity as an organization,” assistant head coach/running backs Willie Taggart, right, said of Derrick Henry. “I think he fits Baltimore as a city and what the city stands for." (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

One of the biggest holes on the Ravens’ roster is filled. Baltimore on Friday agreed to a one-year deal with nose tackle John Jenkins, adding a veteran run stuffer to a defensive line that lacked bulk after the retirement of 355-pound Michael Pierce. The 6-foot-3, 327-pound Jenkins spent the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, recording a career-high 61 tackles in 2023 and adding 46 tackles in 2024 while starting every game. The 35-year-old played a career-high 609 defensive snaps last season, which represented 55% of the Raiders’ total snaps, and totaled 21 run stops. Jenkins figures to join a rotation with Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones and Broderick Washington in Baltimore, which also drafted Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles in the sixth round. But Peebles is listed at just 282 pounds and is projected to be more of a backfield penetrator than a run stuffer who takes on double teams. Adding a big-bodied lineman was one of the last boxes to check this offseason for the Ravens, who also did not re-sign lineman Brent Urban after he played 17.3% of the defensive snaps last season. In addition to the Raiders, Jenkins has played for the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins in his previous 12 NFL seasons. The 2013 third-round draft pick out of Georgia has 319 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in his career. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles Ravens favored in 15 of their 17 games in 2025 season, oddsmaker says Mike Preston: Ravens’ 2025 schedule demands inward focus | COMMENTARY Ravens 2025 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Ravens parody streaming hit ‘Severance’ in schedule release video Ravens 2025 schedule: Prime-time opener, Thanksgiving night highlight slate View the full article

The Ravens are one of the NFL’s best teams, at least on paper. A backfield duo of Lamar Jackson and the recently extended Derrick Henry leads one of the league’s best offenses. The defense came on strong to end the 2025 season, and even with safety Ar’Darius Washington tearing his Achilles tendon this offseason, rookie Malaki Starks joins a defense with star power (linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton) at multiple positions. Even the defensive front, which was slightly above average last year, could take a major step forward with rookie pass rusher Mike Green joining the mix. It’s no surprise that sports betting oddsmakers view Baltimore favorably entering the 2025 season. The Ravens’ have the second-shortest odds (+700) to win the Super Bowl on DraftKings, as they’re tied with the Bills and only trailing the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles (+650) in that department. With the 2025 schedule now officially announced, the Ravens have a gantlet to open the season before a more manageable path the rest of the way. DraftKings released odds for every single 2025 NFL game, and the Ravens are currently favored in 15 of their 17 contests, including 13 straight to end the season. Here’s a look at the betting odds for Baltimore’s upcoming season: Week 1 at Bills, 1.5-point underdog Week 2 vs. Browns, 12.5-point favorite Week 3 vs. Lions, 3.5-point favorite Week 4 at Chiefs, 1.5-point underdog Week 5 vs. Texans, 7.5-point underdog Week 6 vs. Rams, 5.5-point favorite Week 7 BYE Week 8 vs Bears, 7-point favorite Week 9 at Dolphins, 5.5-point favorite Week 10 at Vikings, 3.5-point favorite Week 11 at Browns, 8.5-point favorite Week 12 vs. Jets, 11.5-point favorite Week 13 vs. Bengals, 5.5-point favorite Week 14 vs. Steelers, 8.5-point favorite Week 15 at Bengals, 2.5-point favorite Week 16 vs. Patriots, 8.5-point favorite Week 17 at Packers, 1.5-point favorite Week 18 at Steelers, 4.5-point favorite DraftKings gives Baltimore +10000 odds to go 17-0 in the regular season. Those odds are among the shortest in the NFL, with the Eagles (+5000), Bills (+8000), and Chiefs (+8000) holding slightly shorter odds. No team has finished a regular season undefeated since the league expanded to 17 regular-season games in 2021. Last season, Baltimore was 10-6-1 against the spread in the regular season. The Ravens were favored in each of their final 16 regular-season games after opening as a short favorite against the Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season opener in Kansas City, a game Baltimore lost, 27-20. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ 2025 schedule demands inward focus | COMMENTARY Ravens 2025 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Ravens parody streaming hit ‘Severance’ in schedule release video Ravens 2025 schedule: Prime-time opener, Thanksgiving night highlight slate Ravens, RB Derrick Henry agree on lucrative contract extension View the full article

The NFL released its 272-game schedule Wednesday night in its highly anticipated annual event, but it has very little to do with how the 2025 season will unfold. In this town, the Ravens will either finally make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2012 season, or they will find another way to lose in the playoffs. Go ahead, use the C-word: choke. For two years now, the Ravens have had one of the best teams in the NFL. They had the best roster before losing to Kansas City in Baltimore in the 2023 AFC championship game. They were loaded again last year but couldn’t get past quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills. In February, Philadelphia had the most complete team in the league and proved it by crushing the Chiefs, 40-22, in the Super Bowl. With the Ravens, it’s not about talent. They have plenty. It’s about turnovers. Against the Chiefs two years ago, the Ravens had three in their 17-10 loss. In a 27-25 season-ending road playoff loss to Buffalo in January, the Ravens did it again, turning it over three times, but still had a chance to tie the game late. That is, until tight end Mark Andrews dropped a would-be game-tying 2-point conversion. But that’s in the past. The good news for Ravens fans is that the team is loaded once again in 2025 and poised to make another run. They have the best offensive playmaker in the league in quarterback Lamar Jackson, flanked by superstar running back Derrick Henry, who just agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension on Wednesday. They have receivers Zay Flowers, newly acquired veteran DeAndre Hopkins and Rashod Bateman, and a plethora of tight ends in Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Baltimore has a solid defense and filled some holes last month by drafting Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first round and Marshall edge rusher Mike Green in the second. So, the announcement of the schedule was nothing more than a formality. Unless Jackson goes down with a significant injury and misses substantial playing time, this franchise is poised to have another shot at a deep postseason run. They just need to get rid of their own hiccups. The first third of the 2025 schedule is attractive. Five of the Ravens’ first six opponents made the playoffs last season — Buffalo (Week 1), Detroit (Week 3), Kansas City (Week 4), Houston (Week 5) and the Los Angeles Rams (Week 6). The Ravens open the year on the road in prime time against the Bills on Sept. 7, a rematch of the playoff loss that features Jackson against Allen, who rightfully edged out Jackson for his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award last season. The Ravens played the second-toughest schedule (based on opponent 2023 win percentage) last year, and this year it’s ranked ninth. That’s a great thing because they earned this schedule. No organization wants to be the Tennessee Titans or New England Patriots or Las Vegas Raiders of a year ago. It’s like selecting late in every round of the draft; it’s a badge of honor and says you had a successful season. Plus, don’t get too hyped about schedules. Because of injuries, some teams fade during the season and others become success stories — just look at the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6 record last season), Denver Broncos (10-7) and Washington Commanders (12-5). The Ravens have a nice blend of contenders on the schedule. Besides the first half of the season, they also face Cincinnati and quarterback Joe Burrow twice in the second half, the Minnesota Vikings, and they close out on the road against Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Related Articles Ravens favored in 15 of their 17 games in 2025 season, oddsmaker says Ravens 2025 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Ravens parody streaming hit ‘Severance’ in schedule release video Ravens 2025 schedule: Prime-time opener, Thanksgiving night highlight slate Ravens, RB Derrick Henry agree on lucrative contract extension Some fans might want to go to Green Bay to feel the nostalgia of Lambeau Field, but more entertaining is the thought of Packers quarterback Jordan Love versus Jackson, or running back Josh Jacobs against Henry. Jacobs had 1,329 yards on 301 carries last season while Henry had 1,921 yards and averaged 5.9 per carry. The potential for frigid conditions promotes this type of game. As for the Steelers, Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh. It’s a rivalry, even though the Steelers don’t have a legitimate starting quarterback. Yet, they always make the playoffs. Is Mason Rudolph a starting quarterback? Yikes. There has been no sighting of Aaron Rodgers in black and gold anywhere. Not yet, anyway. There are questions for every team. With Baltimore, will coach John Harbaugh change his approach after extremely disappointing postseason failures two straight years? Why does Jackson struggle in big games in the postseason, where he’s 3-5 with 10 touchdown passes, seven interceptions and six lost fumbles? How does second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr gear up for next season? How does the addition of senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano change things? Overall, the schedule isn’t strange. The Ravens are hosting the Bengals on Thanksgiving night after playing on Christmas the past two years. They aren’t playing three games in 12 days, as they did last year. They aren’t crossing an ocean, as they did in 2023 to play in London. For the Ravens, it’s an inward focus, not outward. It’s all about themselves. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens won’t get a chance to ease into their 2025 schedule. Five of their first six games will be against teams that made the playoffs last season. That includes the team that memorably (or perhaps forgettably for Ravens fans) ended their Super Bowl hopes, with the Buffalo Bills hosting Baltimore in their season opener on Sept. 7 in a “Sunday Night Football” showdown in Orchard Park, New York, as well as another glamour game against the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Ravens will also play on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2013 when they hosted (and beat) the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, they’ll play another AFC North rival at home, the Bengals, before traveling to Cincinnati two weeks later. And the end of the schedule could be just as tough as the beginning of it, with road games against the Green Bay Packers and the Steelers. Here’s a way-too-early prediction of how Baltimore’s season will play out. Week 1 (Sunday, Sept. 7): at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC Loss: This one is dripping with storylines and a heck of a way to open the season for a pair of AFC contenders with Super Bowl aspirations. The Ravens blew out the Bills in Baltimore on a Sunday night in Week 4 of the regular season last year, but Buffalo got revenge in last season’s divisional round playoff game at Highmark Stadium, where the Ravens turned the ball over three times and Mark Andrews dropped a game-tying 2-point conversion attempt with 1:33 remaining. Allen then went on to edge out Jackson for NFL Most Valuable Player honors. The rematch comes right away, but it could have major implications later in the season. And with Baltimore typically not its sharpest at the beginning of the year, that will spell trouble here. Week 2 (Sunday, Sept. 14): vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. Win: The Browns winning in Baltimore happens about as often as a presidential election. At least that’s been the case since 2015, with Cleveland’s only other victories at M&T Bank Stadium coming in 2019 and 2023. That trend isn’t changing this year in the home opener with uncertainty about who will even be Cleveland’s quarterback between former Ravens star Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Ravens have averaged 27.6 points to the Browns’ 19.3 over their past 10 games at M&T Bank Stadium against Cleveland with a few blowouts along the way, including last year’s 35-10 victory to close out the regular season and capture the AFC North. 2023 NFL Football, Detroit Lions at Baltimore RavensKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunRavens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike closes in on Lions quarterback Jared Goff during a 2023 game. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Week 3 (Monday, Sept. 22): vs. Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m. Win: The Ravens crushed the Lions, 38-6, two years ago in Baltimore. But Detroit has much improved its defense since that lopsided affair, while its offense remains one of the best in the league. This will also figures to be a measuring stick game for new offensive coordinator John Morton, who was previously the Denver Broncos’ passing coordinator before being hired to replace Johnson. Still, the Ravens are a tough out at home under the lights, and they’ll come out on top here. Week 4 (Sunday, Sept. 28): at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. Loss: Last year, the Ravens were an Isaiah Likely big toe away from potentially tying (or possibly beating) the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the NFL’s season opener. This time, they make the tip to Kansas City a month into the season but on a short week in what will be one of the league’s marquee games of the year. Jackson is just 1-5 against Patrick Mahomes and has never beaten the Chiefs in Kansas City. Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 5): vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. Win: On paper, this should be a terrific matchup between star quarterbacks (Jackson and C.J. Stroud) and strong defenses. In reality, the Ravens have dominated the Texans in their three games over the past two seasons, winning 31-2 last Christmas after beating them 34-10 in the divisional round in 2024 and 25-9 to open the 2023 season. This one could be different with a Houston defense that includes pass rushers Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry and defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins along with a solid secondary. But with Houston losing receivers Stefon Diggs to free agency and Tank Dell to injury and trading away tackle Laremy Tunsil, the offense could struggle to put up the necessary points. Week 6 (Sunday, Oct. 12): vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. Loss: The last time the Rams came to M&T Bank Stadium in 2023, the Ravens won a wild one on a walk-off punt return for a touchdown by Tylan Wallace in overtime. This one figures to be just as thrilling with wide receiver Davante Adams now catching passes from Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles having nearly derailed the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl run in last season’s playoffs. The Rams have questions about their linebackers and secondary, but the defensive line could cause problems. Week 7: (Sunday, Oct. 19): Bye After having bye weeks late in the season each of the past two seasons, the Ravens get one of the league’s earliest bye weeks. The last time they had one this early was in 2020, and while a mid- or late-season week off is more preferable, this one comes after facing five 2024 playoff teams in the first six weeks. Week 8 (Sunday, Oct. 26): vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. Win: The addition of new Chicago coach Ben Johnson — along with a revamped offensive line — should lead to a more prolific offense under quarterback Caleb Williams to go with a defense that’s on the upswing. It also marks the first time Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith will face the team that drafted him, as well as Jackson’s first game against the Bears after he missed a 2021 contest because of illness. Still, Chicago doesn’t have the offensive weapons to keep pace with the Ravens. Baltimore off a bye with an extra week to prepare should give the Bears fits. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will return to his native South Florida when the Ravens play the Dolphins this season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Week 9 (Thursday, Oct. 30): at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m. Win: Four years ago, the Dolphins blitzed their way to a stunning upset of the Ravens, sacking Jackson four times en route to the 22-10 victory at Hard Rock Stadium. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Jackson has become very effective against the blitz, while Miami has trended the other direction with coach Mike McDaniel (who wasn’t the coach then) now on the hot seat. Week 10 (Sunday, Nov. 9): at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. Win: While Baltimore hasn’t played at U.S. Bank Stadium since 2017, there is a more recent connection between the teams: Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores was the Dolphins coach when Miami knocked off the Ravens in 2021. Minnesota is also coming off a 14-3 season and should again be one of the NFC’s better teams. But with what amounts to a rookie quarterback after J.J. McCarthy missed all of last year because of injury and a few extra days to prepare, the Ravens should win a tough road game. Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 16): at Browns, 4:25 p.m. Win: Simply put, the Browns don’t have enough offense to keep up with the Ravens, no matter who’s playing quarterback this time of year. Their defense can be pesky, though, and that could keep this one closer than it should be. Week 12 (Sunday, Nov. 23): vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. Win: New coach Aaron Glenn should have an immediate impact on what has been an unserious Jets team for a long time. New York also added former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, safety Andre Cisco, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and quarterback Justin Fields in the offseason. And as bad as the Jets were last year, they still ranked fifth in yards allowed per game and have some playmakers on defense, but not enough to pull off the upset. Week 13 (Thursday, Nov. 27): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. Win: The only time a Jackson-led Ravens team lost at home to the Bengals was in 2021, when Ja’Marr Chase, then a rookie, went for 201 yards and a touchdown and Cincinnati outscored Baltimore 28-7 in the second half en route to a 41-17 win. Last year at M&T Bank Stadium, Chase memorably went off again with 264 yards and three scores, but the Bengals, despite 470 yards of offense, came up short when they opted to go for a go-ahead 2-point conversion with under a minute to play and failed. Translation: Expect another indelible contest to cap off Thanksgiving night. Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 7): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. Win: At a glance, the Steelers have had plenty of success in Baltimore, including lately with five victories in seven regular-season trips to M&T Bank Stadium since 2018. But it’s worth noting that Jackson played in just two of those games, missing the others because of injury, illness or rest. In the two games he did start, the Ravens lost in 2020 and last year blew out Pittsburgh, 34-17. Adding Aaron Rodgers to the fold would present a potentially intriguing subplot to one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, but at age 41 he doesn’t scare teams like he used to and has never faced Jackson. Baltimore coming off a few extra days rest doesn’t hurt either. Week 15 (Sunday, Dec. 14): at Bengals, 1 p.m. Loss: Last year in Cincinnati, the Ravens rallied from a pair of 10-point deficits before winning, 41-38, in overtime. The teams combined for 962 yards with Jackson throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns and Joe Burrow for 392 yards and five scores along with one interception. This one probably won’t be as high scoring, but expect it to be close as usual. Each of the past two times the Ravens have traveled to Paycor Stadium, they’ve won by three points. Week 16 (Sunday, Dec. 21): vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m. Win: The Patriots are coming off back-to-back four-win seasons but should be much improved on defense with the additions of defensive linemen Milton Williams and Harold Landry III along with linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis III. Their offensive line should be better, too, with first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle and former Raven Morgan Moses at right tackle. Still, quarterback Drake Maye doesn’t have enough talent on offense, even with the addition of Diggs to the receiving corps. Related Articles Ravens parody streaming hit ‘Severance’ in schedule release video Ravens 2025 schedule: Prime-time opener, Thanksgiving night highlight slate Ravens, RB Derrick Henry agree on lucrative contract extension Ravens schedule reset: How 2025 opponents changed in offseason Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington suffers torn Achilles tendon Week 17 (TBD)*: at Green Bay Packers, TBD Loss: This will be Jackson’s first trip to Lambeau Field, with the Ravens having last played in Green Bay during the regular season in 2017. It will also be a reunion of sorts with his former Louisville teammate, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander — if Alexander hasn’t been traded by then. Either way, closing out the season at a frigid Lambeau should be good playoff preparation, and the game could have major postseason implications for both teams. Week 18 (TBD)*: at Steelers, TBD Win: The Ravens made plenty of mistakes in each of their last two trips to Pittsburgh, losing in frustrating, bewildering fashion both times. Needing to close out the season with a win in their house of horrors with playoff seeding at stake would be a potential nightmare scenario, but Jackson and a much deeper Ravens roster have enough to hold on. Final record: 12-5, No. 3 seed in AFC Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens are getting in on the schedule release fun. In following a growing trend around the NFL, Baltimore announced its 2025 schedule on Wednesday night with a highly produced video in which the games take a backseat to the team’s personalities. In a parody of the Apple TV hit “Severance,” a sci-fi mystery thriller starring Adam Scott and Britt Lower, several Ravens players, coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta make cameos as the team takes a playful spin on the show’s premise of going to drastic measures to separate your personal life from your work life — with dangerous consequences. Tight end Charlie Kolar begins the video introducing himself as “Charlie K.” with a narrative voiceover as the iconic score from the show begins to play. “I give consent to sever my memories between my professional football life and my personal life,” he says, before meeting punter Jordan Stout and center Tyler Linderbaum at cubicles on the Ravens’ indoor practice field in Owings Mills. Linebackers Trenton Simpson, Tavius Robinson, Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy, rookie first-round pick Malaki Starks, fellow safeties Ar’Darius Washington and Kyle Hamilton, running back Keaton Mitchell, wide receivers Tylan Wallace and Zay Flowers, right tackle Roger Rosengarten, long snapper Nick Moore and a digital version of Lamar Jackson are the players who appear in the video, while defensive coordinator Zach Orr and mascot Poe also get some screen time. The absence of the real Jackson is notable, although maybe his rate has gone up now that he’s made an appearance on the Starz show “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” to much fanfare. In perhaps the most humorous segment, Hamilton is told that his “outie” — meaning, his personal self outside of work — is a cat person, watches TV without subtitles, is fond of music and “thinks Kendrick Lamar is the best artist ever,” prompting a visible disagreement from the silent Hamilton. Lastly, the former Notre Dame star is told that his “outie” is a USC football fan, forcing Hamilton to get up and leave the room. DeCosta might have the most memorable cameo of all. The seventh-year general manager who has been working for the Ravens since the franchise started in Baltimore in 1996 is seen in a conference room feeding baby goats in a mysterious homage to the show. After the full schedule is finally shown on a retro computer monitor (which is really besides the point in these videos), DeCosta declares that “it isn’t time. We’re not ready.” “Oh, they’ll be ready,” Harbaugh says. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles Ravens 2025 schedule: Prime-time opener, Thanksgiving night highlight slate Ravens, RB Derrick Henry agree on lucrative contract extension Ravens schedule reset: How 2025 opponents changed in offseason Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington suffers torn Achilles tendon Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley sheds light on past injuries, near-fatal crash as teen View the full article

The Ravens won’t have to wait long to try to avenge their most painful loss from last season. Baltimore will open its 2025 season on the road against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 7 in a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional round showdown, which also took place in Orchard Park, New York. The game will be shown on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” a befitting national stage for a showdown between the NFL’s two most recent Most Valuable Player Award winners — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who edged out Jackson for the honor last season. The last time the teams met, on a snowy evening at Highmark Stadium, Baltimore turned the ball over three times but still had a chance to tie the game until tight end Mark Andrews, wide-open at the goal line, dropped a 2-point conversion pass from Jackson with 1:33 remaining. Buffalo held on to win, 27-25, to advance to the AFC championship game, while the Ravens’ season once again came to an agonizing end. It will mark the third meeting between the teams in less than 12 months, with the Ravens having blown out the Bills, 35-10, in Baltimore in a Week 4 Sunday night game last season. It’s also unsurprisingly one of at least four prime-time games on the Ravens’ slate this season. That includes a Thanksgiving night tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in what will likely be a pivotal AFC North showdown. It’s the third Thanksgiving game for Baltimore following victories over San Francisco (2011) and Pittsburgh (2013). The Ravens will also play the Detroit Lions, who last season had the NFL’s best record at 15-2, on Monday night in Week 3 in Baltimore. It’s just the fifth home “Monday Night Football” game for the Ravens since coach John Harbaugh was hired in 2008 and the first since 2021. In Week 9, they will travel to South Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. The Ravens will also travel the third-fewest miles (10,647) in the NFL this season, behind only the Bills and Bengals, and the farthest west they will travel is Kansas City, Missouri. But they have one of the league’s toughest schedules. After facing the second-toughest slate (based on opponents’ 2023 win percentage) and finishing 12-5 and as AFC North champs last season, Baltimore has the ninth-most difficult schedule this year based on last season’s win totals. Eight of their opponents made the playoffs last season. Five of those playoff teams also come in the first six weeks. After playing their home opener Sept. 14 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, the Ravens host the Lions followed by a trip to Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 28 for a 4:25 p.m. showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Baltimore opened the NFL season against the Chiefs and came within an Isaiah Likely toe of potentially tying or winning the game on the final play, but Likely was ruled out and Kansas City held on for the 27-20 win. Related Articles Ravens, RB Derrick Henry agree on lucrative contract extension Ravens schedule reset: How 2025 opponents changed in offseason Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington suffers torn Achilles tendon Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley sheds light on past injuries, near-fatal crash as teen READER POLL: What is your favorite part of Preakness? After that, the Ravens return home for two straight home games, first against the AFC South champion Houston Texans, then against the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. Baltimore’s bye week also comes early this year in Week 7. The Ravens then return to action with a home game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26, followed four days later with a road game against the Dolphins and another away game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 9. It’s the Ravens’ third trip to Minnesota, which is the only NFL team Baltimore hasn’t beaten on the road in the franchise’s 30-year history. Then begins a spate of divisional games in Cleveland against the Browns, followed by a home game against the AFC East’s New York Jets, then the Thanksgiving game against the Bengals, followed by a Dec. 7 home showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a game at Cincinnati to follow. The Ravens wrap up their home schedule with a Dec. 21 game against the New England Patriots, followed by two straight road games — at the Green Bay Packers in what will be Jackson’s first game at Lambeau Field, followed by a regular-season finale at Pittsburgh for just the second time in franchise history. Ravens 2025 schedule * – Flexible scheduling games Week 1 (Sunday, Sept. 7): at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 2 (Sunday, Sept. 14): vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS Week 3 (Monday, Sept. 22): vs. Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC Week 4 (Sunday, Sept. 28): at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m., CBS Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 5)*: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS Week 6 (Sunday, Oct. 12)*: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m., FOX Week 7 (Sunday, Oct. 19): BYE WEEK Week 8 (Sunday, Oct. 26)*: vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., CBS Week 9 (Thursday, Oct. 30)*: at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video Week 10 (Sunday, Nov. 9): at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., FOX Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 16)*: at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m., CBS Week 12 (Sunday, Nov. 23): vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS Week 13 (Thursday, Nov. 27)*: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 7): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS Week 15 (Sunday, Dec. 14)*: at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS Week 16 (Sunday, Dec. 21)*: vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS Week 17 (Dec. 27/28 TBD): at Green Bay Packers, TBD Week 18 (Jan. 3/4 TBD): at Pittsburgh Steelers, TBD PRESEASON Week 1 (Thursday, Aug. 7): vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m., NBC Week 2 (Saturday, Aug. 16): at Dallas Cowboys, 7 p.m., NBC Week 3 (TBD): at Washington Commanders, TBD Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Derrick Henry said earlier this offseason that he wanted to retire a Raven. On Wednesday, the star running back took a step toward that. Henry and the Ravens have reached agreement on a two-year contract extension, a source with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The deal is worth a reported $30 million and includes $25 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. It is the largest deal in NFL history for a running back over the age of 30. Henry, 31, is coming off a year in which he rushed for 1,921 yards, which was second-most in the NFL, and 16 touchdowns. He also averaged a career-high 5.9 yards per carry. This story will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens schedule reset: How 2025 opponents changed in offseason Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington suffers torn Achilles tendon Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley sheds light on past injuries, near-fatal crash as teen READER POLL: What is your favorite part of Preakness? 5 things to know about the Ravens’ 2025 schedule release View the full article

Get ready to mark your calendars. On Wednesday, the NFL will officially unveil its 2025 schedule in what has become another celebrated day of football. While the opponents are already known for every team around the league, the date, time and location (including a record seven international games this season) is what matters most to fans. For the Ravens and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, every season represents another opportunity to secure the franchise’s elusive third Super Bowl title. The regular season might not ultimately matter in determining the team’s fate so long as it actually reaches the postseason, but winning enough games to secure the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is a significant advantage. And who doesn’t love to see their favorite team win? While the Ravens’ offseason moves have been well chronicled here in The Baltimore Sun over the past few months, a lot has happened around the league with their 2025 opponents. Here’s a look at how those teams have changed since last season: (Note: Teams are listed in alphabetical order.) Buffalo Bills 2024 finish: 13-4, lost in AFC championship game Coaching staff: Coach Sean McDermott, 9th season; offensive coordinator Joe Brady, 2nd season; defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, 2nd season Notable additions: WR Josh Palmer, DE Joey Bosa, DE Michael Hoecht, DT Larry Ogunjobi, CB Tre’Davious White Notable losses: WR Amari Cooper, WR Mack Hollins, DE Von Miller, DL Quinton Jefferson, DL Austin Johnson, DL Jordan Phillips, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Kaiir Elam Notable draft picks: CB Maxwell Hairston (No. 30 overall), DT T.J. Sanders (No. 41), DE Landon Jackson (No. 72), DT Deone Walker (No. 109), CB Dorian Strong (No. 177), WR Kaden Prather (No. 240) Ravens fans don’t need to be reminded about the way last year’s playoff run ended in Buffalo. When they play the Bills on the road again, things will look a little bit different. Buffalo didn’t make any splashy offseason moves, but it retooled around the edges pretty effectively. Josh Palmer should be a more reliable target than Amari Cooper or Mack Hollins, while Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi add much-needed depth on the defensive line (though Hoecht and Ogunjobi will both be suspended for the first six games for performance-enhancing drugs violations). First-round pick Maxwell Hairston is expected to become the lockdown corner Kaiir Elam never was. Just don’t ask general manager Brandon Beane about his wide receivers — though a lot of Terps fans will say that they liked what they saw from Kaden Prather in College Park. Chicago Bears 2024 finish: 5-12, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Ben Johnson, 1st season; OC Declan Doyle, 1st season; DC Dennis Allen, 1st season Notable additions: G Joe Thuney, G Jonah Jackson, C Drew Dalman, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, DT Grady Jarrett Notable losses: G Teven Jenkins, C Coleman Shelton, TE Gerald Everett, DE Darrell Taylor, DE Jacob Martin Notable draft picks: TE Colston Loveland (No. 10), WR Luther Burden III (No. 39), OT Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56), DT Shemar Turner (No. 62) With the Bears hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, overhauling the offensive line and using their top three draft picks on offense, there’s a strong case to be made that quarterback Caleb Williams was the biggest winner of the offseason. Now the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has to prove he’s worth the hype. Chicago didn’t ignore its defense either, bringing in Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett to beef up the line. Former Saints coach Dennis Allen, now the defensive coordinator, has a proven track record and should get the most out of a unit that took a step backward last season under Matt Eberflus. But it all comes down to how Williams meshes with his surrounding cast and whether Johnson has the magic touch that helped him turn the Lions into a perennial contender. Cincinnati Bengals 2024 finish: 9-8, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Zac Taylor, 7th season; OC Dan Pitcher, 2nd season; DC Al Golden, 1st season Notable additions: DL T.J. Slaton, LB Oren Burks, CB Marco Wilson, G Lucas Patrick, RB Samaje Perine Notable losses: OT Trent Brown, G Alex Cappa, DE Sam Hubbard, DL Sheldon Rankins, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, CB Mike Hilton, S Vonn Bell Notable draft picks: DE Shemar Stewart (No. 17), LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (No. 49), G Dylan Fairchild (No. 81), LB Barrett Carter (No. 119) The Bengals made an unprecedented financial commitment to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason, signing the talented wide receivers to four-year extensions. Quarterback Joe Burrow had been advocating for those moves for a while, but it was still significant to see Cincinnati agree to top-of-the-market deals considering its history of shying away from such lucrative spending. Of course, maintaining one of the best passing attacks in the league won’t mean much if the Bengals don’t improve on defense. The addition of run-stuffer T.J. Slaton in free agency and a defensive-focused draft, highlighted by promising pass rusher Shemar Stewart, gives new coordinator Al Golden a chance to raise the floor of that unit in his first season after helping lead Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff championship game. As good as the offense looks on paper, there are potential cracks on the line, particularly along the interior. Cincinnati better hope that tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims can play better this season, or it could be another uphill battle for playoff contention. Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco returned to the Browns this offseason after helping lead Cleveland to the playoffs in 2023. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Browns 2024 finish: 3-14, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Kevin Stefanski, 6th season; OC Tommy Rees, 1st season; DC Jim Schwartz, 3rd season Notable additions: QB Joe Flacco, QB Kenny Pickett, G Teven Jenkins, DL Maliek Collins, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, LB Jerome Baker Notable losses: QB Jameis Winston, OT Jedrick Wills, DL Dalvin Tomlinson, S Juan Thornhill Notable draft picks: DT Mason Graham (No. 5), LB Carson Schwesinger (No. 33), RB Quinshon Judkins (No. 36), TE Harold Fannin Jr. (No. 67), QB Dillon Gabriel (No. 94), RB Dylan Sampson (No. 126), QB Shedeur Sanders (No. 144) After signing Joe Flacco, trading for Kenny Pickett and drafting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, it’s anyone’s guess who starts the most games at quarterback this season. The Browns also passed on what could be a generational player in cornerback-wide receiver Travis Hunter, trading down with the Jacksonville Jaguars and picking Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The defense is better with Graham in the fold, but it’s a bit surprising that general manager Andrew Berry passed on Hunter after comparing him with two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani. The rest of Cleveland’s draft was also puzzling, especially considering the double-dip at both quarterback and running back. There was perhaps a bigger need for long-term help along the offensive line and another wide receiver to pair with Jerry Jeudy, not to mention a defensive end to complement Myles Garrett. The roster has a lot of intriguing talent, but it’s hard to see how the pieces fit together to resemble anything close to a playoff contender. Detroit Lions 2024 finish: 15-2, lost in NFC divisional round Coaching staff: Coach Dan Campbell, 5th season; OC John Morton, 1st season; DC Kelvin Sheppard, 1st season Notable additions: CB D.J. Reed, CB Avonte Maddox, DT Roy Lopez Notable losses: CB Carlton Davis, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, G Kevin Zeitler, DE Za’Darius Smith, DL John Cominsky Notable draft picks: DT Tyleik Williams (No. 28), G Tate Ratledge (No. 57), WR Isaac TeSlaa (No. 70) The Lions’ magical 2024 season ended with a thud in an upset loss to the Commanders. Now, after losing his top assistants, can Dan Campbell get his team over the hump? It might still feel strange to talk about Detroit as one of the league’s premier contenders, but that’s what it has become. Quarterback Jared Goff is a reliable starter behind an elite offensive line and powerful rushing attack, though it remains to be seen if the offense can reach the same heights it did under Johnson with longtime assistant John Morton calling the plays. The Lions predictably beefed up in the trenches and will hope to get a full season from Aidan Hutchinson in his return from a broken leg, but the lack of another pass-rushing threat opposite the Defensive Player of the Year candidate creates some uncertainty. Green Bay Packers 2024 finish: 11-6, lost in NFC wild-card round Coaching staff: Coach Matt LaFleur, 7th season; OC Adam Stenavich, 4th season; DC Jeff Hafley, 2nd season Notable additions: G Aaron Banks, CB Nate Hobbs, LB Isaiah Simmons, WR Mecole Hardman Notable losses: DT T.J. Slaton, LB Eric Wilson, CB Eric Stokes, CB Corey Ballentine, RB AJ Dillon Notable draft picks: WR Matthew Golden (No. 23), OT Anthony Belton (No. 54), WR Savion Williams (No. 87), DE Barryn Sorrell (No. 124), LB Collin Oliver (No. 159) The host Packers received the loudest ovation on draft night when, for the first time since 2002, they selected a wide receiver in the first round. Whether Texas’ Matthew Golden can continue his late-season production and use his 4.29-second 40-yard dash speed in the NFL remains to be seen, but Green Bay finally took a big swing in its efforts to surround quarterback Jordan Love with top quality playmakers. The Packers will need Golden to be special, because their other offseason moves didn’t really move the needle. Guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs should be solid starters, but they were both relatively overpaid on the open market. Cornerback Jaire Alexander remains on the roster despite trade speculation, which is both good news for the 2025 team and perhaps bad news for its future planning. It’s still unclear whether any of the young pass rushers — Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt — will take the next step. There’s a lot of projection required, but the bones of a potential Super Bowl contender are here. Ravens vs TexansJerry Jackson/Baltimore SunRavens linebacker Roquan Smith sacks Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the 2023 season opener at M&T Bank Stadium. (Staff file) Houston Texans 2024 finish: 10-7, lost in AFC divisional round Coaching staff: Coach DeMeco Ryans, 3rd season; OC Nick Caley, 1st season; DC Matt Burke, 3rd season Notable additions: WR Christian Kirk, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, OT Trent Brown, OT Cam Robinson, G Ed Ingram, G Laken Tomlinson, DE Darrell Taylor, DL Sheldon Rankins, LB E.J. Speed, CB Ronald Darby, WR Braxton Berrios Notable losses: LT Laremy Tunsil, WR Stefon Diggs, G Kenyon Green, G Shaq Mason, DE Jerry Hughes, S Eric Murray, CB Jeff Okudah Notable draft picks: WR Jayden Higgins (No. 34), OT Aireontae Ersery (No. 48), WR Jaylin Noel (No. 79), CB Jaylin Smith (No. 97) The version of the Texans the Ravens face this season will not be the same one it crushed on Christmas Day last year. Disappointed in the attitude and performance of its offense, the Texans fired coordinator Bobby Slowik and traded veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington. Nick Caley, who coached under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, will now call the plays, while Houston brought in plenty of competition to find its best starting five along the offensive line. The Iowa State tandem of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel was drafted to complement trade acquisition Christian Kirk and star Nico Collins at wide receiver in the hopes of getting C.J. Stroud back on track after a sophomore slump caused largely by relentless pressure. Houston’s defense should be strong once again under DeMeco Ryans’ direction, especially with C.J. Gardner-Johnson joining Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter in the secondary. If the Texans’ offense bounces back, this could be a tough team to beat. Kansas City Chiefs 2024 finish: 15-2, lost in Super Bowl Coaching staff: Coach Andy Reid, 13th season; OC Matt Nagy, 3rd season; DC Steve Spagnuolo, 7th season Notable additions: OT Jaylon Moore, CB Kristian Fulton, S Mike Edwards, RB Elijah Mitchell, DL Jerry Tillery, QB Gardner Minshew Notable losses: G Joe Thuney, DL Tershawn Wharton, S Justin Reid, WR DeAndre Hopkins, RB Samaje Perine, OT D.J. Humphries, DE Joshua Uche, DL Derrick Nnadi Notable draft picks: OT Josh Simmons (No. 32), DT Omarr Norman-Lott (No. 63), DE Ashton Gillotte (No. 66), CB Nohl Williams (No. 85), WR Jalen Royals (No. 133), LB Jeffrey Bassa (No. 156), RB Brashard Smith (No. 228) The story is pretty familiar now: As long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are together, the Chiefs will be Super Bowl contenders. This offseason included plenty of change, most notably trading Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney to the Bears and losing starting safety Justin Reid to the Saints. But it’s perhaps who the Chiefs didn’t lose that’s more interesting, with guard Trey Smith (franchise tag), linebacker Nick Bolton, wide receiver Marquise Brown, running back Kareem Hunt and edge rusher Charles Omenihu all returning. Adding 49ers backup Jaylon Moore to compete at left tackle wasn’t cheap, but it gives Kansas City options if rookie first-round pick Josh Simmons isn’t ready to return from his knee injury. It would be hard to argue that Kansas City got better this offseason without first seeing its rookie class step on the field, but early returns are promising given how the Chiefs accumulated value relative to the consensus big board with most of their selections. Los Angeles Rams 2024 finish: 10-7, lost in NFC divisional round Coaching staff: Coach Sean McVay, 9th season; OC Mike LaFleur, 3rd season; DC Chris Shula, 2nd season Notable additions: WR Davante Adams, DL Poona Ford, C Coleman Shelton Notable losses: WR Cooper Kupp, WR Demarcus Robinson, G Jonah Jackson, DE Michael Hoecht, DT Bobby Brown III, DL Neville Gallimore, LB Christian Rozeboom Notable draft picks: TE Terrance Ferguson (No. 46), DE Josaiah Stewart (No. 90), RB Jarquez Hunter (No. 117), DT Ty Hamilton (No. 148), LB Chris Paul Jr. (No. 172) After the Rams and Matthew Stafford briefly entertained a split this offseason over contract concerns, Los Angeles brought back its Super Bowl-winning quarterback for a fifth season. It makes all the sense in the world after the Rams were the only team to give the eventual champion Eagles any trouble in the postseason. Although Cooper Kupp is now in Seattle, the offense should only get better with the addition of Davante Adams to pair with Puka Nacua. Rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson is also an intriguing piece, perhaps giving coach Sean McVay a more dynamic target to move around the formation. Running backs Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and rookie Jarquez Hunter should keep the running game on schedule. The defense looks solid, too, with Poona Ford coming over from the Chargers to anchor the interior of the line and rookie Josaiah Stewart adding some pass-rush juice alongside edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young. Perhaps a reunion with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who the Dolphins are seeking to trade, would help put Chris Shula’s unit over the top. Miami Dolphins 2024 finish: 8-9, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Mike McDaniel, 4th season; OC Frank Smith, 4th season; DC Anthony Weaver, 2nd season Notable additions: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, G James Daniels, LB Willie Gay Jr., CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, S Ashtyn Davis, QB Zach Wilson Notable losses: LT Terron Armstead, S Jevon Holland, DE Calais Campbell, RB Raheem Mostert, LB Anthony Walker Jr., G Robert Jones, S Jordan Poyer, TE Durham Smythe, DE Da’Shawn Hand, DE Emmanuel Ogbah Notable draft picks: DT Kenneth Grant (No. 13), OL Jonah Savaiinaea (No. 37), DT Jordan Phillips (No. 143), S Dante Trader Jr. (No. 155), QB Quinn Ewers (No. 231) The Dolphins entered this offseason with the stated goal of getting tougher and more physical in the trenches after being pushed around in recent playoff losses. They added three new starters up front in first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, second-round guard Jonah Savaiinaea and free agent guard James Daniels, while 2024 second-rounder Patrick Paul will take over for retired left tackle Terron Armstead. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Miami offseason without some drama. Ramsey is on the trade block and wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been rumored as a potential trade candidate for months, though both are still on the team as of now. The Dolphins also took a shot on some potential backup quarterbacks in Zach Wilson and former Texas star Quinn Ewers should anything happen to Tua Tagovailoa again. It all adds up to a strange roster that seems to have one step in win-now mode and another in preparing for a painful rebuild. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, pictured during the 2024 preseason, will take over as the starter after Sam Darnold left this offseason. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota Vikings 2024 finish: 14-3, lost in NFC wild-card round Coaching staff: Coach Kevin O’Connell, 4th season; OC Wes Phillips, 4th season; DC Brian Flores, 3rd season Notable additions: G Will Fries, C Ryan Kelly, RB Jordan Mason, WR Rondale Moore, DT Jonathan Allen, DT Javon Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rodgers, CB Jeff Okudah Notable losses: QB Sam Darnold, OT Cam Robinson, C Garrett Bradbury, S Camryn Bynum, DE Patrick Jones II, DL Jerry Tillery, TE Johnny Mundt Notable draft picks: G/T Donovan Jackson (No. 24), WR Tai Felton (No. 102), DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (No. 139), LB Kobe King (No. 201) With 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy taking over for quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikings’ outlook is the murkiest of any of the Ravens’ opponents. On paper, Minnesota has one of the league’s best rosters. Will Fries and Ryan Kelly came over from the Colts and Donovan Jackson was picked in the first round to solidify the interior of the offensive line, while Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were brought in to beef up the defensive front. Isaiah Rodgers provides long-needed stability at cornerback. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson form one of the best receiving trios in the league, Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones are solid, complementary running backs and Kevin O’Connell is one of the best play-callers in the league. But nobody knows how well McCarthy will play, which means Minnesota could be a juggernaut or one of the league’s most disappointing teams. New England Patriots 2024 finish: 4-13, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Mike Vrabel, 1st season; OC Josh McDaniels, 1st season; DC Terrell Williams, 1st season Notable additions: DT Milton Williams, LB Robert Spillane, CB Carlton Davis, OLB Harold Landry, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Mack Hollins, OT Morgan Moses, C Garrett Bradbury Notable losses: DE Deatrich Wise, DL Davon Godchaux, CB Jonathan Jones, QB Joe Milton Notable draft picks: OT Will Campbell (No. 4), RB TreVeyon Henderson (No. 38), WR Kyle Williams (No. 69), C Jared Wilson (No. 95), DT Joshua Farmer (No. 137), DE Bradyn Swinson (No. 146), K Andres Borregales (No. 182) The Patriots brought back some familiar faces after quickly moving on from coach Jerod Mayo, hiring Mike Vrabel as coach and Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. Whether these branches of the Bill Belichick coaching tree can support a rebuild remains to be seen, but Vrabel and McDaniels at least have NFL experience to lean on. Early signs are promising for the new era, as New England splurged in free agency to add a handful of starters and depth pieces while using its top four draft picks on offense to protect and provide playmakers for young quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots are betting on former Terps star Stefon Diggs to recapture some of his old form and Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson to be better than last year’s rookies, but the foundation looks solid. New York Jets 2024 finish: 5-12, missed playoffs Coaching staff: Coach Aaron Glenn, 1st season; OC Tanner Engstrand, 1st season; DC Steve Wilks, 1st season Notable additions: QB Justin Fields, CB Brandon Stephens, S Andre Cisco, WR Josh Reynolds Notable losses: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, CB D.J. Reed, TE Tyler Conklin, OT Morgan Moses, OT Tyron Smith, DE Haason Reddick, DL Javon Kinlaw, S Ashtyn Davis Notable draft picks: OT Armand Membou (No. 7), TE Mason Taylor (No. 42), CB Azareye’h Thomas (No. 73), S Malachi Moore (No. 130) It’s been a surprisingly quiet offseason for the Jets after years of dysfunction and drama, and that’s just the way new coach Aaron Glenn wants it. After the release of Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields was brought in to play quarterback and will be the unquestioned starter with veteran Tyrod Taylor backing him up. New York took a meat-and-potatoes approach to rebuilding the roster, adding former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens to replace top free agent D.J. Reed and using its top draft pick on Missouri right tackle Armand Membou to complete what could be one of the best offensive lines in the league. The question is whether the Jets have enough playmakers on offense outside of wide receiver Garrett Wilson. A bounce-back season from running back Breece Hall would go a long way for a team that’s determined to run the ball and play tough defense. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson escapes Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt during an AFC wild-card game last season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 finish: 10-7, lost in AFC wild-card round Coaching staff: Coach Mike Tomlin, 19th season; OC Arthur Smith, 2nd season; DC Teryl Austin, 3rd season Notable additions: WR DK Metcalf, CB Darius Slay, QB Mason Rudolph, RB Kenneth Gainwell, S Juan Thornhill, WR Robert Woods Notable losses: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, WR George Pickens, RB Najee Harris, OT Dan Moore Jr., G James Daniels, DL Larry Ogunjobi, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Donte Jackson Notable draft picks: DT Derrick Harmon (No. 21), RB Kaleb Johnson (No. 83), DE Jack Sawyer (No. 123), QB Will Howard (No. 185) One big question still remains in Pittsburgh: Who will play quarterback? Rodgers has yet to commit to playing in 2025, which leaves Mason Rudolph as the top option. The Steelers drafted Will Howard after he helped lead Ohio State to the national championship, but it’s rare for sixth-round rookies to start at any position, let alone the most important one on the field. Despite that uncertainty, Pittsburgh is still expected to be competitive. The addition of DK Metcalf provides a consistent big-play threat, replacing the mercurial and inconsistent George Pickens, while Kaleb Johnson projects as an immediate difference-maker at running back after a stellar career at Iowa. The defense should remain among the league’s best after drafting Derrick Harmon in the first round and adding Darius Slay to pair with emerging cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and the nucleus of T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Keeanu Benton and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers started hot last year with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson before fading down the stretch. Perhaps better quarterback play, if indeed Rodgers does sign, could make them a more viable contender to Baltimore in the AFC North. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens’ defense has suffered a significant blow. Safety Ar’Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles tendon during offseason conditioning, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The injury will likely cause him to miss most if not all of the 2025 season. It also comes after what was a breakout season for the 2020 undrafted free agent out of TCU. Washington, 25, replaced Marcus Williams alongside Kyle Hamilton after the $70 million free agent signing was benched halfway through last season and helped turn around what was a struggling pass defense up to that point. In 17 games (10 starts), the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Washington had two interceptions, 64 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack as Baltimore went from one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses over the first two-plus months of the season to one of its best down the stretch. The injury is also not the first Washington has faced. After playing in three games as a rookie in 2020, Washington suffered a season-ending foot injury. In 2023, he began the season as a starter in the slot and played well the first two weeks of the season, tallying 11 tackles, two pass breakups and a sack. But a chest injury in Week 2 landed him on injured reserve and he didn’t return until the playoffs on special teams. Over his first three seasons, Washington played in just eight games (one start) before stepping in last year and putting together his best season yet. Related Articles Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley sheds light on past injuries, near-fatal crash as teen READER POLL: What is your favorite part of Preakness? 5 things to know about the Ravens’ 2025 schedule release Lamar Jackson hosts day of racing, fun and charity at Pimlico Race Course Former Ravens LB Tyus Bowser withdraws $4.5 million grievance against team But as a restricted free agent this offseason, the Ravens offered him the lower right-of-first-refusal tender. At $3.3 million, it was worth less than the second-round tender of $5.3 million and the Ravens would not have received draft compensation had he signed an offer sheet with another team and they declined to match it. Washington did not sign an offer sheet with another team, however, and last month signed the one-year tender with Baltimore. His return helped give the Ravens what looked to be one of the better safety rooms in the league, with Hamilton and highly-touted rookie Malaki Starks, whom the Ravens drafted 27th overall last month. Now, Starks’ addition will take on even greater importance with the former Georgia standout expected to start alongside Hamilton. The loss also makes the Ravens thin at the position. After Hamilton and Starks are unproven second-year players Sanoussi Kane, a seventh-round draft pick, and Beau Brade, an undrafted free agent from Maryland. There are at least some veteran free agent options available, including Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon and former Ravens starter Chuck Clark. With the start of training camp still two months away, there is time for Baltimore to find a replacement. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Ronnie Stanley has always been introspective, if not equanimous. He has also endured excruciating injury during his nine-year Ravens career. Those two facts merged in a revealing essay by the left tackle for The Players’ Tribune that was published on Monday. Stanley opened up with new details about the 2020 ankle injury that ended his season and led to further complications. The former All-Pro also wrote about a terrifying accident that he was involved in as a 14-year-old, and on a lighter note, touched on his rescue dogs, Lola and Rico, and his relationship with quarterback Lamar Jackson. It was Jackson, of course, whom Stanley was blocking for in the first quarter of a Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers five years ago when Stanley’s ankle got rolled up from behind by T.J. Watt, sending him to the M&T Bank Stadium grass in agony. It also turned out to be more than just a dislocated ankle, with Stanley, 31, writing that he also broke his leg on the play. “I basically tore up everything in my ankle besides my deltoid ligament,” he wrote. “They put me in a cast from my hip to my toes. Couldn’t bend my knee for three months. I couldn’t even sit in a car. I had to lie in the backseat if I wanted to go anywhere. “Pain meds were the only thing allowing me to get some sleep, especially early on. I could feel the eight staples in my leg rubbing against the cast every night.” Stanley returned to training camp the following summer, but wrote that he still wasn’t feeling right. The pain was so intense, Stanley said, that it elicited tears as he came off the field for drives in a Week 1 game against the Raiders in his hometown of Las Vegas. His play was poor and Baltimore struggled, too, losing 33-27 in overtime. After the game, an MRI showed that he tore his deltoid ligament. Related Articles READER POLL: What is your favorite part of Preakness? 5 things to know about the Ravens’ 2025 schedule release Lamar Jackson hosts day of racing, fun and charity at Pimlico Race Course Former Ravens LB Tyus Bowser withdraws $4.5 million grievance against team Former Ravens edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney released by Panthers But because doctors weren’t certain that it was completely torn, Stanley said, he underwent rehab for several weeks while he was inactive for the next five games. Finally, he underwent surgery and didn’t play again until Week 5 of 2022. It also wasn’t the first time he dealt with a severe injury. As a teenager, he said the Can-Am Defender (essentially a “souped-up” golf cart) that he was riding in in his neighborhood flipped and landed on him. “Before I could even blink, I’m laying in the road, blood everywhere,” he wrote. “I knew the whole right side of my body was crushed. I could actually see the bone sticking out of my arm. Neighbors heard the crash, called the ambulance, and came to help. I was getting really sleepy at one point. But everyone kept telling me that, no matter what, I needed to stay awake until the ambulance came.” Stanley spent a week in intensive care and said he was “pretty broken” but that doctors told him the next day if the cart had landed a few inches to the left, it would have crushed his head. After the accident, Stanley’s parents got him and his two siblings two dogs. That “jump started” his interest in animals, and his current two dogs provided “a huge source of comfort and unconditional love that made all the difference on a daily basis,” he said, as he battled injuries and the mental anguish that went with him during his professional career. He also leaned on Jackson. “There were other guys who had my back, too,” he said. “But 8 always had my back. I’ve never met a more authentic person in the NFL. He’s the face of the franchise and has all the pressure in the world on his shoulders. He’s got every incentive to just be a Company Man, and instead he comes in every day like his genuine self. Not trying to fit any mold, an elite competitor with that childlike joy for the game. I love it.” Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, left, wrote that quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the most authentic people he knows in an essay for The Players' Tribune. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff file) All of it played a part. Last season, after taking a $7.5 million pay cut to remain with the team following a poor 2023 season and in the final year of his contract, Stanley returned to form. The Ravens went 12-5, won the AFC North, put up historically great numbers on offense, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl. That led to Baltimore re-signing Stanley for three years and $60 million just before the start of free agency. “If you’re reading this, and you’re feeling really empty, just know that there’s a lot of people out there who know and understand what you’re going through and how you’re feeling,” Stanley wrote. “I don’t have any magic words for you to make you feel better. But if you really want to find purpose, I truly believe that a good first step is to stop being afraid to look stupid, or being afraid to fail. In whatever you do in life, do it with confidence and belief in yourself that you can be great. You can even be the best! Why not you?” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article