OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — As long as Lamar Jackson is healthy and playing at an MVP level, the Baltimore Ravens should have a chance to be good.
And if the players around the star quarterback change significantly, that’s more likely to happen a year from now than it is now.
“There haven’t been as many tough decisions this year, looking at it, and I’m grateful for that,” general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday during the team’s end-of-season press conference. . “But obviously, as we think about it, we will have some tough decisions after next season.”
DeCosta was talking about the tight end position, but that comment applies in many ways to the entire roster. The Ravens should be able to put a similar team on the field next season after winning their second straight AFC North title and withdraw from the playoffs in the second round last weekend in Buffalo.
That’s in contrast to last year, when Baltimore had to replace key contributors on the offensive line, as well as at running back and linebacker.
Or two offseasons ago, when Jackson’s long-term extension only fell into place after the team used the franchise tag on him.
On the offensive line, there is uncertainty over whether Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari will return, but the Ravens replaced three starters from last season without adding a major free agent at the position, and it was largely a success .
“Last year we made the tough decision to go younger and play younger guys, and we knew we would have some growing pains. I think we had a few, but looking back, I think it was absolutely the right thing to do,” DeCosta said. “We’re aware that we have guys whose contracts are up, and we’ll look at that and certainly have discussions with the players. We’ll look at potentially bringing our guys back. We’ll look at the draft. We’ll look at free agency.
DeCosta said the team would like to bring back guard Patrick Ricard, a player who is probably much more valuable to the Ravens than to many other teams. Receivers Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace and defensive back Brandon Stephens are also pending free agents.
The 2022 draft class is now eligible for extensions. This group includes two first-round picks who stood out: safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum. Many other contributors – tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, linebacker David Ojabo, defensive tackle Travis Jones, guard Daniel Faalele and punter Jordan Stout – were selected that year and are now entering the final season of their rookie contracts.
This is what could make next offseason more difficult for the Ravens than this one. After the 2025 season, running back Derrick Henrytight end Mark Andrews, linebackers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy and tackle Michael Pierce can become free agents.
DeCosta also talked a little about a few moves that didn’t pan out — signing safety Eddie Jackson before the season and trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson in the middle of it. The Ravens ended up suspending Johnson, saying he refused to play in a game, and he is now set to become a free agent. Jackson was waived in November.
“Eddie was a two-time Pro Bowl safety earlier in his career, and that probably comes down to me failing. He was a guy who didn’t really want to accept his role as a backup and a special teamer, and I understand that,” DeCosta said. “If I’m guilty of mistakes, it’s finding value, but I don’t always consider how that player is going to handle the situation he’s forced into. Eddie just wasn’t happy with his role. He wanted to play football.
Always, this season had more good than badand DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh have a sense that they think this group is capable of advancing further in the playoffs than this year.
“We are all disappointed. Our team is disappointed. We had higher aspirations, and we didn’t achieve those aspirations and those goals, but I think it was a successful season,” DeCosta said. “I’m very proud of the team, the players, the coaches, the support staff, everyone, and I’ve already grown.”
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