With Ravens veterans set to report to Owings Mills for the start of training camp in three weeks, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. I always laugh at the “Super Bowl or bust” debates we tend to hear this time of year as though the Ravens haven’t been in that territory since going a franchise-best 14-2 six years ago. Baltimore must handle its regular-season business, of course, but it’s still all about January.
2. Understanding the current contract always needed to be reworked, you’d hope Lamar Jackson and Eric DeCosta can amicably strike a deal making Jackson the NFL’s highest-paid player and giving DeCosta necessary 2026 cap flexibility. However, you wonder if leaked collusion case details revitalize Jackson’s wishes for a fully-guaranteed deal.
3. Speaking of quarterbacks who’ve made lucrative money, Aaron Rodgers brings spice to a Pittsburgh team that’s lacked it despite remaining a fringe playoff team in recent years. Whether he has anything left in the tank is another story, especially by the time these rivals meet in early December.
4. The Steelers made another splash Monday by acquiring Jalen Ramsey, joining him with Joey Porter Jr. and veteran newcomer Darius Slay. That cornerback trio sounds like an attempt to slow down Cincinnati and Baltimore, but Pittsburgh’s problem against the Ravens in the last two meetings was a lack of physicality.
5. Perhaps Justin Tucker believes not challenging his 10-week suspension will be enough to kick in the NFL again. But he hasn’t shown the contrition you would think teams would want to hear to consider enduring the backlash for signing him. We’ll see if that tone changes this fall.
6. Considering the extensive injury history and modest cost of Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie, the Ravens would probably be satisfied to have at least one available for every game over the season. We’ve also seen Baltimore use cornerback rotations before, and having both healthy in January is the ultimate goal.
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7. Pondering whether the Ravens can duplicate the remarkable level of good health and injury luck they enjoyed last year is arguably the biggest reason for lament over not breaking through last January. Though this is easily one of the league’s best rosters on paper, some thinner position groups remain.
8. That applies in the trenches as even a single injury to a starter changes the complexion of the offensive and defensive lines, especially after the departures of Patrick Mekari and Michael Pierce as well as depth pieces like Brent Urban and Josh Jones. Some younger options need to step up.
9. Of his 55 career sacks over 11 seasons, Kyle Van Noy has collected 21 1/2 over his last two years with the Ravens, which has easily made him one of the best value signings in franchise history. You hope to get one more fruitful campaign from the 34-year-old.
10. Mark Andrews has been Jackson’s longtime safety net, but a PFF look at “safety-net” wide receivers reinforced Zay Flowers emerging as the go-to guy for the superstar quarterback. There are only so many targets to go around, but I’m looking forward to seeing what Flowers does in his third season.
11. Diontae Johnson sulked almost from the moment he arrived in Baltimore, so it was amusing to hear his explanation for what led to his suspension and eventual dismissal from the Ravens. That Cleveland was his only option this offseason should prompt more self-reflection for a career rapidly circling the drain.
12. The appeal of multipurpose indoor stadiums is understandable when teams receive so much public funding to build them, but football loses some of its DNA when the threat of harsh conditions is eliminated. Cleveland is pivoting to a new domed stadium, and that’s about as anti-AFC North as it gets.
