RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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For all of the problems the Baltimore Ravens had last season, it seemed like it was still going to result in an AFC North title.
Lamar Jackson, whose season had been sidetracked by injury, got the Ravens in position for kicker Tyler Loop to attempt a field goal to knock out the Steelers and put the Ravens in the playoffs. And any team with Jackson would have been a dangerous opponent in the postseason. Loop, a rookie, was 30-of-33 on field-goal attempts at that point, and he hadn't missed inside of 50 yards. This attempt was from 44 yards out.
Loop missed wide right on the final play of the NFL's regular season. That was perfectly fitting for what was a tremendously frustrating Ravens season.
It's impossible to know what might have happened if Loop hit that field goal. But he missed, and the Ravens' franchise took a dramatic right turn afterward.
John Harbaugh was fired after 18 tremendous seasons as Baltimore's head coach. He was replaced by Jesse Minter, a hot name after some great work for John's brother, Jim Harbaugh, as he ran the Los Angeles Chargers' defense.
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Change can be good. But it's a gamble to move on from a likely Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, especially with urgency (and angst) growing around Jackson, an all-time great quarterback who still hasn't made a Super Bowl. But the Ravens felt the need to shake things up, particularly after a season in which the goal of getting to a Super Bowl with Jackson seemed to be getting further away.
When Jackson was winning two MVPs (and should have won a third in 2024), it was mostly smooth. Last season, after Jackson missed time with a hamstring injury and there was a significant dip in his play after he returned, a Baltimore Sun story eviscerated Jackson , saying he would fall asleep in team meetings, stay up late playing video games and that his relationship with John Harbaugh had become strained.
The two sides would deny the claims in the story, but there was a reason those details were leaked to longtime Sun columnist Mike Preston. The marriage between an all-time great player and the Ravens franchise might be fraying. That story is a sign that this season is a critical turning point in Jackson's time with the Ravens, especially since the two sides haven't worked out an extension. Jackson is signed through the 2027 season.
That puts Minter, Jackson and everyone else on the spot. Everything with the Ravens dipped last season. They were an average team across the board, which was reflected in its 8-9 record. They were just 6-7 in Jackson's starts, so they can't completely pin it on the games Jackson missed.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are trying to get back to the playoffs after missing out last season. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) G Fiume via Getty Images
It's still easy to buy into a rebound. Whatever disrespect has come Jackson's way this offseason, he's still capable of being the most dominant player in the NFL. Minter is considered a defensive wizard, perhaps becoming to Baltimore what Mike Macdonald has been to the Seahawks, and Minter will have edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to work with.
If Jackson stays healthy, Derrick Henry has yet another big season at age 32 and Minter elevates the defense immediately (and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle brings some fresh ideas as he replaces Todd Monken), the Ravens can reclaim their status as one of the NFL's best teams.
And if Baltimore doesn't bounce back? Get ready for what might become an even more chaotic Ravens offseason.
Offseason grade
The Maxx Crosby saga will be remembered for a long time. The Ravens made a huge trade with the Raiders for Crosby, agreeing to send two first-round picks to Las Vegas for one of the NFL's top defensive players, then nixed the trade due to concerns about Crosby's knee . The debate over whether the Ravens' actions were underhanded has been had many times.
The final result, with the Ravens pivoting to free agent Trey Hendrickson and keeping their two first-round picks, resulted in a lesser player but over the long term will probably be better for Baltimore. And Hendrickson, who got a four-year, $112 million deal, will be an impact player off the edge for the Ravens.
The rest of the Ravens' offseason wasn't quiet either. Center Tyler Linderbaum left for the Raiders in what was a record deal at the position. Tight end Isaiah Likely , defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, tight end Charlie Kolar and safety Alohi Gilman also left for big deals elsewhere.
Baltimore signed guard John Simpson, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, defensive lineman Calais Campbell and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to deals worth at least $5 million per season. The draft was solid, with guard Olaivavega Ioane in the first round and edge defender Zion Young in the second.
The Ravens lost some good players, but also added some too. Hendrickson obviously helps the grade, assuming he's still a top pass rusher at age 32.
Grade: B-
Quarterback report
Lamar Jackson, who won MVP in 2023 and should have won in 2024, was at an MVP level through his first three games last season. He had 722 passing yards, nine touchdowns, no interceptions, a great 141.8 passer rating and 118 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. In game four, Jackson injured his hamstring.
Jackson missed three games and when he came back, he wasn't the same. After his return he played in nine games and had 1,680 yards, 11 touchdowns, six interceptions, a ...
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