Certainly! The Baltimore Ravens, one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, are heading into the 2025 offseason with a roster that has undergone significant changes over the past few years. As the team looks to continue competing for championships in the hyper-competitive AFC, a number of crucial decisions will need to be made as the team heads into the summer months.
From contract extensions to potential free agent signings, roster cuts, and potential trades, the Ravens front office will need to evaluate their roster thoroughly. Below is a breakdown of where those decisions will likely need to be made in the summer of 2025, analyzing key players and positions. 
1. Quarterback: Lamar Jackson’s Future
Lamar Jackson, the franchise quarterback for the Ravens, has been a dual-threat quarterback who redefined the position with his MVP-caliber season in 2019. However, despite the success, there are still questions surrounding his long-term future with the team.
Contract Negotiations
By summer 2025, Jackson will either have an extension or will be playing under the franchise tag. The Ravens will need to decide if they want to lock him into a long-term contract, and if so, what kind of deal makes sense given the market for quarterbacks in the NFL. Jackson has already demonstrated his value as a playmaker, but injuries and inconsistency have been factors the Ravens need to weigh.
With new general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh leading the charge, the Ravens may look to negotiate a deal that both compensates Jackson fairly and fits within the team’s salary cap. This is a crucial decision, as locking up Jackson to a deal could impact the team’s ability to build around him with the right pieces.
Backup Quarterback
If Jackson is going to remain under the franchise tag or if the Ravens decide to go in a different direction with another quarterback, they may need to make decisions around their backup quarterback situation. Who will be the signal-caller in case of injury? The team will likely evaluate potential veterans or even look for young talent to develop behind Jackson.
2. Wide Receiver Group: Rebuilding the Pass-Catching Corps
In recent years, the Ravens’ wide receiver group has struggled to provide consistent playmaking on the outside. The team invested heavily in wide receivers in the draft and free agency, but many of those acquisitions have yet to yield the results expected.
Contract Decisions: Dealing with Current Receivers
The Ravens have some key decisions to make regarding their current wide receivers. Players like Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, and Zay Flowers will all likely need to be evaluated based on their growth and development. Bateman, in particular, has been plagued by injuries during his young career, which has limited his impact.
With the team focusing on a more balanced offensive attack that incorporates both running the football and improving the passing game, the Ravens will need to decide whether to keep certain wideouts or pursue others in free agency. The development of Bateman and Duvernay, along with the future potential of Flowers, will be central to these decisions.
Adding New Talent
Given their recent struggles in the passing game, the Ravens will likely look to add a veteran wide receiver to complement the younger players or continue to develop their draft picks. Free agency or trade opportunities will likely be explored. By the summer, decisions will be made on whether to invest heavily in a top-tier wideout or look for a less expensive option to strengthen the unit.
3. Running Back: Balancing Power and Versatility
Baltimore’s offense, historically centered around a strong running game, relies on its running backs to not only provide ground production but also give Jackson the flexibility to run or pass with balance.
Re-Signing Key Players
J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are two critical players in this backfield. Dobbins has shown the potential to be a true feature back, while Edwards has proven his ability to be a power runner in short-yardage situations. Both players are entering contract years, and the Ravens will need to make decisions regarding their futures with the team.
The Ravens will have to decide if they are going to offer new deals to Dobbins or Edwards. Alternatively, they may look for cheaper or younger options through the draft. The health of both players, especially Dobbins, will play a key role in the decision-making process as they assess whether the current backfield is sustainable or if changes are needed.
Depth at Running Back
Beyond Dobbins and Edwards, the Ravens will need to evaluate the rest of their running back depth. The team may choose to add another back for depth purposes or even explore an all-purpose back who can contribute both in the running and passing games. This will be another area of focus for the summer.
4. Offensive Line: Shoring Up Protection
The offensive line is always a focal point for NFL teams, and for the Ravens, it is particularly important given their reliance on the run game. The Ravens’ offensive line has been a solid unit, but there are still areas that need improvement.
Re-Signing Key Players
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, a former Pro Bowler, is key to protecting Lamar Jackson’s blindside. However, Stanley has dealt with injuries in recent years, leading the Ravens to consider his long-term health and whether they need to add more depth to the tackle position. While Stanley is a cornerstone of the line when healthy, the team will need to evaluate if it’s worth investing more heavily in the offensive line as a whole.
Guard Ben Powers and center Tyler Linderbaum will also be key pieces to watch. Linderbaum, a promising young center, has shown flashes of excellence, and Powers has provided consistency. The decision to re-sign these players or upgrade the position through the draft or free agency could come into focus by the summer.
Depth Concerns
Beyond the starting five, the Ravens will need to assess their offensive line depth. Injuries can happen at any time, and having capable backups is crucial. If the Ravens find themselves lacking depth, expect them to look for veterans or young talent to bolster the interior and tackle spots.
5. Defense: Key Decisions at Cornerback and Safety
The Ravens’ defense has been their calling card for years, but even with a strong defensive foundation, key decisions will need to be made in the secondary. Baltimore has often been known for its physical and aggressive style of play, but personnel changes will require adjustments.
Cornerback: Retaining and Adding Talent
The Ravens’ cornerback group, led by Marlon Humphrey, has been one of the team’s more reliable units. However, as Humphrey continues to age and recover from injuries, the team may need to think long-term about his future and whether they need to invest in additional cornerback talent. The team also has to make a decision on whether to re-sign any impending free agents, such as Ronald Darby or other rotational players.
The Ravens could also look at the draft for young cornerbacks who can complement Humphrey and give the defense more flexibility moving forward.
Safety Group: What to Do With Aging Veterans?
The Ravens have traditionally built their defense around elite safety play, and names like Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark have long been a staple of the defense. However, by the summer, decisions will need to be made about whether to re-sign these players, particularly those who may be nearing the end of their careers or have had injury concerns.
If the Ravens decide to move on from some of these veterans, expect them to target younger safeties in the draft or free agency. How they handle their safety group could significantly impact the overall performance of the defense.
6. Edge Rushers and Linebackers: Balancing Youth and Experience
Baltimore’s defense has had notable edge rushers and linebackers, but decisions will need to be made in the summer about how to balance experience and youth in these areas.
Re-Signing Pass Rushers
The team will have to decide if they want to re-sign or replace key players on the edge such as Tyus Bowser, who is entering the final year of his contract. The decision will come down to whether Bowser has provided enough impact in pass rush situations or if the team can find more dynamic options.
Building Around Roquan Smith
Roquan Smith has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL, and he figures to be a central part of the defense going forward. However, alongside Smith, the team may look to add depth at linebacker or shore up the defensive line with players who can free up the linebackers to make plays. How the Ravens choose to structure their linebacker unit will depend on the performances of younger players and the financial flexibility they have to bring in additional talent.
7. Special Teams: Ensuring Stability
The special teams unit may not always be the most glamorous part of a football team, but it plays a critical role in field position and overall team performance.
The Ravens will need to make decisions around their kicker, punter, and return specialists. As of now, Justin Tucker remains one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history, but decisions about backup specialists and return options will need to be considered as they look to strengthen all phases of the team.
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