Is This the Year?

Once again, the Baltimore Ravens are in a familiar position as we are getting ready to celebrate the franchise’s thirtieth season.

And once again the big question being asked of the team is the same.

Is this the year they break through and win a third Lombardi trophy?

The Ravens have been a model of consistency over the past half-decade and are considered by many pundits to be one of most well-run organizations in pro football. Double-digit wins, MVP-caliber play from Lamar Jackson, and a defense that routinely ranks among the league’s best have made them perennial contenders. Yet, when January arrives, the story too often turns sour. The playoff heartbreaks have piled up, and fair or not, the narrative has become great regular season team, but one that chokes when it matters most.

But as the 2025 season kicks off, there’s reason to believe that narrative could finally change. With major roster moves, big-money extensions, and one of the deepest units in the NFL, the Ravens have signaled that this could be their year to crow.

A Statement Move: Kyle Hamilton’s Record Extension

On August 27th, the Ravens signed safety Kyle Hamilton to a four-year, $100.4 million extension, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Hamilton, just 24, has already established himself as one of the stars of Baltimore’s defense – a versatile playmaker who can line up deep, in the slot, or in the box.

Locking him down wasn’t just about rewarding talent; it was about ensuring continuity. For a team that has watched some past stars like C.J. Mosley and Matthew Judon walk in free agency, keeping Hamilton signals a shift. Baltimore isn’t content to reload year after year. They’re building a core designed to last and Hamilton is at the center of it.

Pair that with the offseason signing of Jaire Alexander, one of the league’s premier corners, and suddenly the Ravens boast a secondary that can rival any in football. They now have former first round picks all over the secondary with Nate Wiggins ready for sophomore season and All-Pro Marlon Humphrey set for his ninth season in Charm City. Add standout Malaki Starks from this season’s draft and it’s a formidable unit.

The Defensive Identity

Baltimore has always been known for its defense, but 2025 could mark a return to the kind of dominance fans remember from the early 2000s.

Humphrey is one of the vets of this group and he has called for a renewed emphasis on turnovers and a return to a historically dominant, feared defensive identity for the Ravens in 2025, feeling that standard has slipped since he joined the team. He wants the defense to become the

franchise’s cornerstone again, like the legendary defenses of the past, believing that increased takeaways are crucial for this transformation.

The offensive failures in the playoffs are usually what garners the most headlines but the lack of turnovers and big plays by the defense have also attributed to Baltimore’s struggles to advance in the post-season.

The Ravens front seven is talented but there are questions as to whether they can generate consistent pressure. Continued development from Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo could help but I feel that the addition of rookie Mike Green to the rotation could be the missing piece along with grizzled vet Kyle Van Noy.

Mike Macdonald’s departure last year raised questions about whether the defense could maintain its edge, but the Ravens’ commitment to scheme flexibility has kept them aggressive and unpredictable. Zach Orr went through the same growing pains as Macdonald did in his first season with communication and his group continued to improve as the season wore on. The expectation for this season is that this is fully Orr’s defense and they have the piece’s to be one of the league’s best.

Special Teams Need to Be Special

During the championship seasons the Ravens could always rely on their special teams. The kicking game provided timely field goals and field position and the return game could be dangerous and put points on the board in any situation.

But over the past few years the team has struggled in that department. The departure of Justin Tucker is huge, sure he had a subpar 2024 but throughout the years he’s made a ton of clutch kicks for the team. Rookie Tyler Loop is the man for now and he’s shown that he has the leg to kick in the NFL but he will need to navigate the pressure that comes with playing in the pros and for an AFC favorite. Hopes are high at the moment but he only needs to flub a kick or two that provides costly and fans will be clamoring for a replacement.

Punter Jordan Stoudt has been inconsistent during his tenure here and while he’s looked good in the pre-season he needs to be better at pinning the opposition inside the twenty on a regular basis.

The return game looks like it will feature backup running back Rasheen Ali on kickoffs and rookie LaJohntay Webster on punts. Webster showed some flash in the preseason as he took one to the house.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

For John Harbaugh, entering his 17th season, the stakes are clear. He’s one of the most respected coaches in football, but another early playoff exit could raise uncomfortable questions about whether his staff can get this team over the hump.

For Lamar Jackson, the stakes might be even higher. Two MVPs and highlight-reel plays have cemented his place as one of the league’s greats, but quarterbacks are ultimately judged by postseason success. A Super Bowl run would not only validate Jackson’s career but potentially elevate him into the conversation with the very best of his generation.

And for the Ravens as an organization, this season represents more than just another shot. It’s the culmination of years of careful roster building, calculated risks, and the belief that their time is now.

The Ravens are no strangers to hype. They’ve entered plenty of seasons with big expectations, only to see them unravel in the cold of January. But I think 2025 feels different.

They’ve locked down their young stars. They’ve added proven veterans. They’ve built a roster that is balanced, deep, and ready for the league’s toughest competition.

If ever there was a year for the Ravens to silence the doubters, it’s this one. The pieces are in place. The window is open. Now it’s time to seize it.

 

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