The Baltimore Ravens: Offseason Preview (2025)

The 2024 NFL season is behind us, and the Baltimore Ravens now find themselves at a pivotal point in their franchise’s history. Despite finishing the regular season with a solid record and making it to the playoffs, Baltimore’s offseason decisions will be crucial in determining whether they can build on this success or risk stagnation. With a mix of strong talent, critical roster decisions, and a pressing need to compete in a stacked AFC, the Ravens’ front office will need to be strategic and forward-thinking.

Let’s break down what lies ahead for the Ravens during the 2025 offseason, focusing on key roster decisions, coaching adjustments, potential acquisitions, and how they can position themselves for success in 2025.

1. Evaluating the Quarterback Position

Lamar Jackson’s Future

The biggest story surrounding the Ravens in recent years has been Lamar Jackson, and this offseason is no different. After signing a significant long-term contract extension prior to the 2024 season, Jackson’s future in Baltimore is locked in, barring any unforeseen changes. However, the conversation surrounding him will revolve around how the Ravens can optimize their offense around his unique skill set.

Jackson had a productive 2024 season, but the Ravens’ offense was often inconsistent, especially in big games. This inconsistency has sparked debate on whether Jackson can take the Ravens to the next level in terms of playoff success. As Baltimore looks to move forward with their franchise QB, a couple of questions remain:

• Offensive Scheme: The Ravens have historically built their offense around Jackson’s dual-threat ability, but they’ve faced criticism for not adapting enough to his passing development. Will Baltimore continue to run a scheme that relies heavily on the ground game, or will they expand Jackson’s passing duties further, especially in the modern NFL where passing attacks dominate?
• Supporting Cast: Baltimore needs to surround Jackson with better weapons, especially in the passing game. While Jackson’s rushing ability can compensate for many areas of weakness, the team needs to ensure that the receivers, tight ends, and offensive line consistently deliver at a high level.

Backup Quarterback Situation

While Jackson is the clear starter, the backup quarterback position remains an important topic of consideration. The Ravens have generally not invested significantly in backup quarterbacks in recent years, but if Jackson were to suffer an injury again, the team must have a reliable alternative. A better backup plan could be crucial in maintaining playoff contention should Jackson miss games.

2. Addressing the Wide Receiver Position

For years, the Ravens’ wide receiver corps has been a glaring weakness. Despite the presence of Jackson’s electric playmaking ability, the lack of consistent and explosive receivers has hindered the offense’s full potential. In 2024, the Ravens did make an effort to address this by acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency, but their overall receiving group still lacks the depth and star power needed to compete with the league’s best.

The Ravens need to prioritize adding more talent to this position, either through the draft or free agency. While Beckham and Rashod Bateman both have potential, neither is a guaranteed top-tier option, and the team will need a true No. 1 receiver to make a deep playoff run.

Free Agent & Draft Options

The 2025 draft class has some intriguing wide receiver prospects, so the Ravens could look to draft a player in the first or second round. Additionally, a free agent market that features established stars could offer Baltimore a chance to add a veteran presence to the receiving room. Look for the Ravens to pursue a reliable target to pair alongside Jackson and elevate the passing game.

3. Revamping the Offensive Line

While the Ravens’ offensive line performed admirably in 2024, they still showed vulnerabilities, particularly when facing elite pass rushes. Protecting Jackson is essential, as his ability to extend plays is a huge part of his skill set. However, the team must be careful not to allow too many negative plays or sacks to accumulate, as Jackson’s unique style of play often leads to higher risk of injury if he’s under too much pressure.

Key Decisions

• Ronnie Stanley: The veteran left tackle has battled injuries throughout his career, and his future could be in jeopardy if he continues to be sidelined or underperforms. If Stanley’s health remains a concern, the Ravens may explore either drafting a replacement or finding another veteran tackle.
• Interior Line Play: The Ravens must also look at their interior offensive line. Depth issues were a concern during the 2024 season, and they may need to bring in competition at guard or center to keep the unit competitive.

Given that an offensive line overhaul can sometimes take a season or two to fully integrate, it may be worth targeting both established veterans and young players to reinforce this group.

4. Strengthening the Defensive Front

The Ravens have long been known for their stout defense, and the 2024 season continued this tradition. However, the defense had its moments of inconsistency, especially against high-powered offenses. A key area of improvement will be to continue building around an aging defense while also investing in younger talent.

Key Defensive Players to Watch

• Marlon Humphrey (CB): As a top-tier cornerback, Humphrey is a cornerstone piece of the defense. His ability to lock down No. 1 receivers is invaluable, but with age and injuries starting to mount, the Ravens may need to start thinking about adding depth behind him or eventually transitioning to a younger group in the secondary.
• Pass Rush: While Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen make for a dynamic linebacker duo, the Ravens’ pass rush is a bit more of a mixed bag. With Justin Houston aging and others not consistently generating pressure, this is an area where Baltimore could benefit from an upgrade in talent. Expect the team to pursue a dynamic edge rusher, either in the draft or free agency, who can disrupt opposing quarterbacks and create havoc in the backfield.

Defensive Line Depth

Another area that needs attention is the defensive line, where the Ravens have a solid core but lack true depth. The addition of a disruptive interior defensive lineman could help solidify the run defense, which was sometimes a weakness, and add flexibility in terms of blitzing and creating pressure.

5. Special Teams and Coaching Continuity

The Ravens have a solid special teams unit led by kicker Justin Tucker, arguably the best in the NFL. Still, special teams play is often overlooked and can be the difference between a playoff win or loss. The team should continue investing in special teams depth and ensuring that players like returners and gunners are as effective as possible.

From a coaching standpoint, head coach John Harbaugh is one of the league’s most experienced and successful leaders. However, there will likely be some adjustments to his staff. If the offense struggles again, it’s possible that the Ravens might look to make changes to their offensive coordinator or the broader offensive scheme. With new offensive coordinator Todd Monken having a full offseason to install his offense, there may be some significant shifts in how the Ravens approach offensive football in 2025.

6. Salary Cap Considerations and Free Agency

The Ravens’ salary cap situation will be tight, but they still have room to make moves in free agency. While they won’t be big players in the high-end free agent market, expect them to make strategic signings in areas of need, including adding depth at wide receiver, the offensive line, and defensive pass rush.

The Ravens’ front office will need to get creative, perhaps restructuring deals, cutting ties with aging players, or finding bargains to round out the roster. Smart, calculated moves could elevate the team’s overall talent level without crippling their financial flexibility for future seasons.

7. Draft Strategy for 2025

With a mid-to-late first-round pick, the Ravens will need to be strategic in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’ll likely be targeting players who can make an immediate impact, especially at wide receiver, edge rusher, or offensive line. With a deep draft class in several positions, the Ravens should be able to find high-caliber players without reaching too much. Continuing to draft well has been one of Baltimore’s strengths in recent years, and they’ll need to maintain that in 2025.