Ravens Insider: Ravens schedule reset: How 2025 opponents changed in offseason

ExtremeRavens · Wednesday at 11:00 AM

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.

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.

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 calls a play against the Raiders in the third quarter of a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Aug., 10 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) — 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.

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.

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