OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With Marlon Humphrey coming off the worst year of his career and carrying the Ravens’ fourth-highest salary cap number, many wondered whether the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback would even be back for his 10th season in Baltimore.
That’s what has made his absence from voluntary organized team activities over the last three weeks surprising. Though Humphrey is familiar with new head coach Jesse Minter and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver since both were previous members of defensive coaching staffs under John Harbaugh, few on the roster have as much to prove as Humphrey, who’s entering the final season of a five-year, $97.5 million contract. Many opined that Humphrey might need to accept a pay cut similar to what veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley worked out with general manager Eric DeCosta entering the last year of his contract two offseasons ago, but all indications point to the 29-year-old defensive back still being scheduled to make $19.25 million in new money for 2026.
It’s fair to note that a photo of Humphrey was on the team’s website indicating his participation in the voluntary minicamp — which wasn’t open to reporters — held in late April. Asked about Humphrey’s recent absences following Tuesday’s open OTA, Weaver didn’t sound concerned and described the 2017 first-round pick out of Alabama as “a one of one.”
“He is unique. The one thing I know with my experience with Marlon is that when he is here, he’s going to be full speed and all in,” Weaver said. “It’s all he knows. You see it on tape. He takes the ball away constantly. He’s that type of player. Even though he’s not here, I have no doubt that he’s doing the things required to make that jump from his play a year ago. Admittedly, I know there’s been some disappointment there with how he played for himself, but I know we can help him reach whatever standard he wants to hold for himself.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Humphrey’s role evolves in Minter’s defense since All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton is expected to continue playing closer to the line of scrimmage primarily as the nickel back or a dime linebacker in various packages. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus graded Humphrey 103rd out of 112 qualified cornerbacks last season as he played the majority of his snaps outside, especially after the first few games when ex-defensive coordinator Zach Orr moved Hamilton out of a deep safety role. Pro Football Reference credited Humphrey with allowing 920 yards in pass coverage, which was the highest total of his career by an overwhelming margin.
Humphrey isn’t the only notable player coming off a disappointing 2025 to be absent from each of Baltimore’s three open OTAs with wide receiver Rashod Bateman also being away from the team. However, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle indicated the sixth-year wideout was a participant earlier in the offseason, which included the voluntary minicamp in late April.
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The Ravens drafted wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt in the third and fourth rounds respectively after Bateman made only 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season.
“Bate’s been around. He’s dealing with some personal things, so he hasn’t been here for a little bit,” Doyle said. “He was here that first week. We were able to work with him quite a bit, and then he was here pretty much the whole offseason every day. He’s an early-morning guy, so a lot of times I’d be going to work out, and he’s in there doing stuff by himself at times. I’ve been pleased with him.
“Obviously, anytime guys are here, we’re working with the guys that are here. The guys that aren’t, we’re expecting them to be working kind of on their own, but I’m excited for him to get back in here at [mandatory minicamp] and keep rolling.”
Not counting players with known injuries such as defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and defensive linemen Travis Jones, John Jenkins, and Calais Campbell were the others not to take part in any of the three OTAs open to reporters. However, all but the 39-year-old Campbell — who agreed to rejoin the Ravens only last month — were photographed taking part in the April minicamp.
The Ravens will conduct their mandatory minicamp next Tuesday and Wednesday, which will mark the conclusion of the offseason program for veterans.
