With the Ravens now less than three weeks away from their first full-squad practice of training camp, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. While liking the hire of Dwayne Ledford as offensive line coach and certainly buying the guard spots being better, center remains my biggest concern by a wide margin. That position is connective tissue for offensive line stability, and I’d really hate to see that weakness negate upgrades at guard.
2. This coaching staff has plenty of new to navigate, which is why this veteran core must lead the way. If John Harbaugh and the old staff were holding this team back as much as some like to say, it’s time for the players to show that once and for all.
3. There’s much intrigue surrounding Declan Doyle’s offense, and I’m fascinated to see how much Lamar Jackson will run in this system with his 30th birthday months away. The two-time MVP has stated his preference to run less for years, but it remains his superpower that was sorely missed last season.
4. Though I’m not buying Jackson’s contract being a distraction impacting what happens on the field, there are various ways a season can go for any player or team that could make for a very uncomfortable 2027 offseason. With Week 1 two months away, one assumes practical negotiating time is dwindling.
5. Especially considering the personnel turnover on offense, it’s fair to have high expectations for the defense since that’s Jesse Minter’s forte anyway. I’m unsure what to expect from Marlon Humphrey at this point, so Nate Wiggins taking a big step is critical for that side of the ball.
The NFL hasn’t seen the best of Nate Wiggins yet 👀🔥
The Ravens CB says he’s finally 100% healthy after feeling like he’s played at just 60-70% throughout his career all the way back to HIGH SCHOOL.
Breakout year loading in Baltimore 😤 pic.twitter.com/Z4bBXAcLMM
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6. Per OverTheCap.com, Baltimore has roughly $17 million in cap space. I haven’t shied away from preferring another edge rusher like Jadeveon Clowney, and I might feel even stronger about adding a veteran such as Keenan Allen to the wide receiver mix. Force young players to earn snaps.
7. Given their track record at tight end, the Ravens deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I’m uneasy about a revamped group headlined by a 31-year-old Mark Andrews coming off a down season. One of Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas needs to be ready to contribute much sooner than later.
8. Considering Jim Harbaugh played most starters very sparingly in exhibition games the last couple years, I wouldn’t anticipate Minter’s preseason approach looking drastically different than John Harbaugh’s in recent summers. Competition in joint practices with Minnesota and Washington will carry the most value, especially for veteran players.
9. Cincinnati has the only returning head coach in the division and revamped its defense with Dexter Lawrence and others. Pittsburgh’s ceiling with Mike McCarthy doesn’t feel any different. Cleveland traded away Myles Garrett. I like the Ravens as AFC North favorites, but the Bengals are a legitimate threat.
10. My heart aches for Calais Campbell and his family. He indicated last month that this would very likely be his last NFL season, but football is an afterthought at a time like this for the soon-to-be 40-year-old. You’d expect the Ravens to give him whatever support and space he needs.
11. Other than Humphrey, Baltimore’s 2027 list of free agents is about as nondescript as you’ll find in a given offseason. I suppose that could be a positive if we’re still talking about Jackson’s contract situation seven months from now, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
12. The Orioles staring at another lost summer despite having a new manager reminds there are no guarantees with Minter, but the enthusiasm to kick off 2026 is obvious. Given how rough the last year-plus has been for local fans, the Ravens need to come out of the gate looking rejuvenated.
