logo
Winners and losers following the Ravens' 2025 offseason

Winners and losers following the Ravens' 2025 offseason

Yahoo20-06-2025
Baltimore is loaded on both sides of the football, and GM Eric DeCosta knowingly chose to restock the defense with the organization's first two NFL draft picks. The Ravens cruised through the off-season workout program and have a looming two-day mandatory mini-camp scheduled before the team takes a five-week break before returning for the mid-July training camp.
Baltimore's two top sack artists return on defense, but the edge rusher position will host the most challenging position battles, just ahead of third cornerback and safety.
Advertisement
As we await the arrival of training camp, here are the winners and losers of the Baltimore Ravens' offseason.
Winners
Keaton Mitchell
A year and a half removed from a major knee injury that cut his rookie season short, Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell says he feels better than he did three years ago. As a rookie, Mitchell led all running backs with at least a dozen attempts in yards per carry (8.4 avg), and he has set personal records in all of his speed tracking analytics this offseason.
OLB Mike Green
Green, a second-round draft pick out of Marshall, displayed elite athleticism and outstanding quickness during OTAs.
CB T.J. Tampa
After spending the bulk of his rookie year injured, Tampa has plenty to prove this summer, and looked athletic and agile during OTAs.
OLB Tavius Robinson
Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith called Robinson "a centerpiece" of the Baltimore defense. The former Ole Miss pass rusher had 32 tackles (13 solo), including 3.5 sacks, one pass defensed, and 12 QB hits in 17 games last season.
Advertisement
The 2023 fourth-round pick out of Ole Miss spent the first half of the season in a rotational role at edge rusher, but he did start in the final six regular-season games. Robinson will likely serve as the Ravens' primary backup edge rusher for the 2025 campaign behind Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, while potentially sliding inside to defensive end in key schemes that feature Mike Green off the edge.
DB Sanoussi Kane
Ar'Darius Washington will be out until at least Week 13, opening up the door for Kane to nab the 3rd safety spot ahead of Beau Brade. Kane was flying around all OTAs, and the seventh-round pick out of Purdue has a shot at carving out an integral role after logging just 22 defensive snaps last season.
DC Zach Orr
Baltimore added Malaki Starks, Mike Green, Teddye Buchanan, Bilhal Kone, Aeneas Peebles, and Robert Longerbeam to the roster, giving defensive coordinator Zach Orr a starting safety, a lethal edge rusher, a starting inside linebacker candidate, two cornerbacks and a defensive lineman to a defense that was shredded early on last season.
Losers
QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson was a full participant for the Ravens' first open practice of organized team activities on May 28, but hasn't returned to the field since, costing him $750,000 for the second consecutive year. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player's contract has a clause that pays Jackson nearly $1 million should he attend at least 80% of the team's voluntary workouts. The loss of income lowers Jackson's 2025 compensation from $43.5 million to $42.75 million.
OL Emery Jones Jr.
It was going to be hard for any of the rookies to make a significant contribution this year outside of Emery Jones Jr, the third-round pick and offensive tackle from LSU. A potential roster battle for the left or right guard spot hasn't materialized because Jones didn't practice and won't be ready until late in training camp because of a shoulder injury.
QB Devin Leary
Neither of the backup quarterbacks, Cooper Rush or Leary, has been impressive, but the former Kentucky quarterback could force Baltimore to add another signal caller to the mix.
David Ojabo
Odafe Oweh is likely safe after having his fifth-year option exercised, but the addition of Mike Green makes life difficult for David Ojabo and Malik Hamm.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens off-season winners and losers
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ESPN and NFL closing in on ‘Next Era'-defining media deal
ESPN and NFL closing in on ‘Next Era'-defining media deal

New York Times

time21 minutes ago

  • New York Times

ESPN and NFL closing in on ‘Next Era'-defining media deal

In 1987, an eight-year-old cable network in just 41 million homes acquired the rights to eight NFL regular season Sunday night games and the Pro Bowl. The then-up-and-coming ESPN paid a now-quaint $51 million per season to the NFL for the three-year package, and it changed the trajectory of what became arguably the most powerful sports media company of all time. ESPN was built on a lot of things, but the most notable was its nearly four-decade relationship with the league. Advertisement Now, according to sources briefed on negotiations, ESPN and the NFL are inside the five-yard line on another ground-breaking deal that may not have the impact of 1987 but could be historic, as the all-sports network makes its programming available in a direct-to-consumer product this fall that will cost $29.99 per month. ESPN is hyping this upcoming iteration as 'The Next Era.' While a contract between ESPN and the NFL is not signed, the two sides have been closing in on talks that first began four years ago, heated up a little more than a year and half ago and now are the closest they have ever been, with the league even informing its owners they may be needed for a vote on it early next month, as first reported by Sports Business Journal. Until a deal is across the goal line, it is not done – and the minute details, which the sides are said to be working around the clock on, matter. All that said, it's a big deal. The NFL and ESPN declined to comment for this column. In 1987, ESPN used NFL games as a battering ram to increase the fees it charged cable subscribers. By 2011, that once-little network was in 100 million homes, it called itself, 'The Worldwide Leader in Sports,' and it wasn't wrong. Today, still strong, but diminished, ESPN charges more than $10 per month for its services, but with the digital revolution, the rise of Netflix and other streaming options has resulted in just 65.3 million homes receiving ESPN through cable, satellite and services like YouTube TV and Fubo, according to Nielsen. ESPN wants to maintain as many of those viewers as it can. Those subscribers will be able to have access to ESPN in its traditional format, while adding the ability to log on to the new and improved direct-to-consumer app, launching soon. The same way a generation first turned to ESPN on cable, the Disney-owned network hopes the ESPN app becomes the ultimate go-to for sports fans. That leads back to the NFL. Advertisement The NFL has tried for years to unload many of its media assets, including NFL Media (which operates NFL Network and Red Zone Channel, among other entities), and there is optimism that it will finally happen. The league has had some success with its in-house creations, but in a media ecosystem that is more scattered, it may finally be ready to let someone else manage them – for a pretty penny, of course. The exact amount of money or equity that Disney/ESPN would pay is not yet known, but it will be enormous. There is expected to be a regulatory period that will need approval before everything goes into effect. The process may take nine months, give or take. What could be in the deal is the Red Zone Channel, NFL Network, seven regular-season games that appear on NFL Network, enhanced betting and fantasy league possibilities. There may be more. Red Zone is the Sunday afternoon show that takes viewers inside all the stadiums when teams are threatening to score. This could be a boon for ESPN's app, as well as in its future negotiations with cable and operators for its slew of networks. It could upsell Red Zone in the app, as well as demand more from operators (like YouTube TV, Fubo or cable systems) to continue to offer the service on its platform every Sunday in the fall. The NFL Network, under ESPN, would likely be enhanced. ESPN's main channels would still feature the NFL a lot of the time, but the devoted network would be on 24/7. NFL Network has seen years of layoffs and downsizing, and while ESPN will likely take advantage of overlapping jobs to cut costs, it will also want to make NFL Network even more of a must-watch. With sports betting and fantasy becoming an increasing part of the fan experience, ESPN can be expected to use its potentially enlarged user base integration into its new direct-to-consumer app for what it will likely hope is a transformative experience and increased subscriber growth. Advertisement In 2024, of the 100 highest-rated programs on television, 72 were NFL games. This does not appear to be changing anytime soon. With increased NFL competition from Amazon Prime Video on Thursday nights, Netflix on Christmas and now, for the first time, YouTube, for the second game of the 2025 season from Brazil, to go along with fellow traditional players such as Fox, NBC and CBS, a closer relationship for ESPN with the league would seem to make sense. ESPN already pays $2.7 billion per season for 25 games a year, mostly on Monday Nights. It will have ESPN's first Super Bowl on its platforms, including its sister network, ABC, in February 2027. This potential new agreement is probably not as transformative as 1987, but the sports streaming battle is about to have a historic marker in the fall when ESPN's direct-to-consumer launches, with possibly even more NFL in its portfolio. When 'The next era begins,' ESPN's first big move may be using its old playbook. (Top photo of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)

Bills' Joey Bosa facing a $12.6 million uncertainty
Bills' Joey Bosa facing a $12.6 million uncertainty

Yahoo

time31 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Bills' Joey Bosa facing a $12.6 million uncertainty

The Buffalo Bills took a chance this offseason. They signed talented pass rusher Joey Bosa to a one-year, $12.6 million contract. Now comes the tough part: Will Bosa deliver? It was probably a risk worth taking either way. Bosa is one of the league's best at getting after opposing quarterbacks when he can stay healthy. The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes that Bosa's involvement is the biggest thing he's watching during training camp. "Bosa's best years may be behind him, but he remained an effective pass rusher who could be a big upgrade to what they had in A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller and Dawuane Smoot last year," Buscaglia writes. "The big question is whether Bosa can stay healthy in the run-up to the season and how they'll manage his practice reps to ensure it happens. He already had a calf injury that cost him all of the spring practices. Bosa is one of the players who can provide a true big swing one way or another to their results this year, and his overall health and effectiveness in camp will dictate a lot of it." MORE: Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders could be subject to a 'second draft' It'll be a luxury to be able to limit Bosa's snaps thanks to the abilities of the other guys on the depth chart. A bit like the Bills used Miller last year, they can ensure Bosa is on the field for the biggest pass rush snaps of the game while keeping him fresh and healthy. That'll only matter if he gets through July and August in one piece so he's ready to go when Week 1 arrives. MORE NFL NEWS: Chiefs' champion retires at age 29 Browns' defender retires the day before turning 27 The locker room reason Trey Hendrickson's contract saga could go sideways Browns rookie QB criticized for only having 'a firm handshake and intangibles' Justin Fields given a career ultimatum before Jets debut Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has a red flag

A former NFL champion shares his daily routine to stay fit at 37 — with open water swimming and 200 grams of protein a day
A former NFL champion shares his daily routine to stay fit at 37 — with open water swimming and 200 grams of protein a day

Business Insider

timean hour ago

  • Business Insider

A former NFL champion shares his daily routine to stay fit at 37 — with open water swimming and 200 grams of protein a day

When James Develin retired from the NFL in 2020 after seven seasons (and three Super Bowl wins) with the New England Patriots, it wasn't long before he started looking for the next big challenge. To stay in elite athlete shape after retirement, Develin knew he needed some structure to replace the typical training cycle of the NFL and giving him something to work toward. That meant a marathon and, most recently, a Navy SEAL-style open water swim — grueling events to inspire his multiple workouts a day. "I didn't have a season to start preparing for, so it was a little bit harder to put myself through two-a-days and three-a-days," Develin told Business Insider. As a 37-year-old father of four, Develin is conscious about retaining his strength in a sustainable way. He shared his daily routine with Business Insider — a regimen of running, swimming, and lifting, along with a high-protein diet worthy of his NFL days. From NFL training to Navy SEAL swims Less than a year after retiring from pro football, Develin took on distance running, completing his first Boston Marathon in 2021. In 2023, Develin met an even more ambitious match for his athletic aspirations when his father-in-law signed up for the Navy SEAL Foundation NYC SEAL Swim. The annual fundraiser is held honor of veterans and lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. "I can run, I can lift, I can do all that stuff, but swimming was not my forte and it still isn't. It's been fun to push my own personal limits," he said. The event combines strenuous open water swimming through the turbulent waters of the Hudson with multiple rounds of push-ups and pull-ups, scenic views of the Statue of Liberty, and a race to the finish at the World Trade Center. The SEAL Swim requires grit, endurance, and discipline to complete. Develin decided to join in, despite limited swimming experience and only a month to prepare. "It's such a great patriotic event, but it's also a great test of one's physical prowess, so it checks a lot of boxes for me," Develin said. There's no secret to training for the SEAL swim besides hours and hours of work in the water, according to Develin. "I just started swimming as much as I could every single day. Through the soreness, through the rain days, the day I don't want to do it," he said. Develin, who lives on the Jersey Shore with his wife and four kids, practices in a pool as well as the nearby bay to get experience managing the unpredictability of open water. Develin works out daily for around two or three hours a day, split between shorter sessions of cardio, swimming, and weightlifting to allow him to spend time with his family, too. "I need to sweat before I can really get on with the rest of my day," he said. "I don't really feel like a day was productive unless I get some sort of workout in." Here's a typical day in his routine. Wake up around 5:30 a.m. Hydrate first thing in the morning with a tall glass of water. Supplements: Develin said he goes through phases of trying supplements to find what works, and currently takes amino acids and NAD+ which help with energy and recovery. A morning smoothie provides some protein first thing in the morning. A cardio workout is first on the agenda, typically a long run. After his workout, Develin wakes up his kids and gets them ready for the day before sitting down to breakfast of high-protein staples such as eggs. For a midday workout Develin hits the gym to lift weights for 45 minutes, sometime between 11 am and 2 p.m. Lunch is often a casual, on-the-go option like sandwiches. Often Develin fits in an evening workout to practice swimming, if he can find the time For dinner, Develin gets to sit down and "live a little" since his wife is Italian and loves to cook. The evening meal is often pasta with homemade sauce and more protein (like chicken or beef). Develin is in bed by 10:30 p.m. most nights to get a solid s even hours of sleep. In total, he aims to eat more than 200 grams of protein daily, about a gram of protein per pound of body weight, to help maintain muscle and strength. In the NFL, Develin's job was to absorb and deliver tremendous amounts of force as a fullback. "You have to go out there and be ready for impact constantly," he said. He's kept the same mindset of pushing himself ever since, aiming to stave off aging with constant movement and new challenges, even when his body is a little slower to bounce back than it used to be. "I recover eventually. It just might take a little bit longer now than it did when I was 30, but I just keep grinding," Develin said. "It's good for your endurance, it's good for your mental fortitude, and that's what works for me."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store