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USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Baltimore Ravens' leading contenders for major NFL awards in 2025
Here are the Baltimore Ravens' best candidates to win major NFL awards from the Associated Press in 2025 The Ravens have a juggernaut of an offense and an ever-improving, stacked defense, with a coaching staff to match, as Baltimore looks to finally secure a Super Bowl berth in the Lamar Jackson era. Such a loaded roster is filled with award winners and candidates for this season. Baltimore's most recent NFL award winner was star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback was named 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player at NFL Honors at Resorts World, marking the second time he's won the award after he took home the honor following the 2019 season. With training camp fast approaching, we're previewing who the Baltimore Ravens' best candidates are to win major NFL awards from the Associated Press in 2025. MVP: QB Lamar Jackson In the closest race since Matt Ryan beat out Tom Brady in 2016, Josh Allen secured more votes than Baltimore Ravens' two-time winner Lamar Jackson for the Most Valuable Player award last February. Jackson had career-highs with 4,172 yards passing, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions with a near-record 119.6 passer rating, which led the NFL. It marked the first time since 1987 that a first-team All-Pro quarterback had not won the MVP award. Jackson has a loaded roster, and he'll be the man to beat. Offensive Player of the Year: QB Lamar Jackson Jackson was a finalist for the Associated Press NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Derrick Henry was also a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Jackson finished second to the Eagles' Saquon Barkley, while Henry was fourth. Both players will be in the running, with Henry more likely for a drop-off after finishing second in the NFL in rushing. Leading Baltimore to its second straight AFC North title, Jackson was first-team All-Pro and set career highs for passing yards (4,172), touchdown passes (41), and quarterback rating (119.6). Henry, the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, had 1,921 yards rushing and 16 TDs in his first season with the Ravens. Defensive Player of the Year: OLB Kyle Van Noy Van Noy has 55.5 sacks in his career and is fresh off a career-best campaign in which he tallied 12.5 sacks and reached his first Pro Bowl. Baltimore has a loaded secondary, and that could provide more opportunities for sacks and game-changing plays. Offensive Rookie of the Year: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado The former Colorado wide receiver would need a miracle to be named a starter, but he's the only rookie skill position player who could see snaps in 2025. Wester managed a 66.7% contested catch rate in 2024 while also earning an 81.5 receiving grade against man coverage. Wester averaged 12.2 yards on punts last season, including a 76-yard touchdown. Defensive Rookie of the Year: DB Malaki Starks Edge rushers typically win this award, but rookie Mike Green would be battling uphill for snaps behind Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh. Starks should start from Day 1 and has the versatility to bring home the award. Comeback Player of the Year: LB Trenton Simpson Simpson entered the 2024 season with high expectations after being named the starter at inside linebacker after Patrick Queen's departure to Pittsburgh. Simpson started the first 11 games with mixed reviews and was eventually benched for the combination of Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Now, after an off-season of reflection, Simpson told Ryan Mink of that he spent four months with All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, training and studying film. Simpson referred to Smith as his "big brother" and vowed that 2025 would be his year. When asked about Simpson's benching last season, Harbaugh labeled it a "reset period" during which the former Clemson linebacker could watch and feel less pressure. Harrison departed for the Steelers and Board departed for the Giants in free agency, leaving Simpson as the inside linebacker. Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh Harbaugh has won over 62% of his games with a 172-104 win-loss total. He's above .500 during the postseason with a mark of 13-11. He's won a Super Bowl. Still, the NFL is a what have you done for me lately league, and a huge season could land more accolades. Assistant Coach of the Year: Todd Monken After getting passed over for several high-profile head coaching jobs, the veteran offensive play-caller finalized a deal to remain with the Ravens. Monken was a finalist for the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award and finished 8th in voting. Every offense Monken has commanded since 2021 has finished in the top 10 in total offense, with his title-winning team in 2022 and his first-year Lamar Jackson ranking in the top five. Monken is entering his third season coaching Lamar Jackson and expects the quarterback's growth to continue and reach another level as he enters the prime of his career. The Ravens' OC will be tasked with maintaining the NFL's most explosive rushing attack, while taking advantage of a passing offense that now includes DeAndre Hopkins to the wide receiver trio and two elite tight ends.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
John Harbaugh's legendary career gets its due with eye-opening HC ranking
The proper respect is given to the Ravens' John Harbaugh in a recent ranking of NFL head coaches. Whenever we discuss the Baltimore Ravens' rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers, we mention bruised bodies and longtime animosity. We mention legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers, and though we talk about the longevity of two great head coaches, we probably don't delve into what they have accomplished often enough. No two current leaders of any two football teams have met at midfield to exchange postgame handshakes more often than John Harbaugh and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. In total, they've locked horns 38 times, and it will be a long time before any two meet or exceed their number. Harbaugh enters year 18 as Ravens head coach. His tenure is second only to, you guessed it, Mike Tomlin. He enters year 19. John Harbaugh lands third on Pro Football Network's ranking of NFL head coaches. Time has flown. Though he still looks like he is in his twenties, Harbaugh's near-20-year run enters another season with much on the line. The same is true for Tomlin. The Steelers will be expected to qualify for postseason contention as well. Their annual pair of clashes will have much to say about where they are seeded. Pro Football Network's Brandon Austin recently ranked the NFL's head coaches. These two rivals both earned top-ten rankings. Tomlin lands at seven. Harbaugh is ranked third. Here's Austin's reasoning behind placing John among the top three. "John Harbaugh has been a model of consistency since taking over as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach in 2008. A Super Bowl champion, Harbaugh has delivered double-digit win seasons in six of the past seven years, with just one losing record since 2016... Harbaugh's adaptability is one of his greatest strengths. He won with Joe Flacco. Then, once Lamar Jackson arrived, he and the staff reshaped the team around his unique skill set, and it worked faster than many expected." No lies have been told so far. Let's continue... "Harbaugh has stood the test of time, battling in two separate loaded AFC eras. He went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger. Now, he's perennially challenging Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow for conference supremacy." Coach Harbaugh is only exceeded on this list by Andy Reid and Sean McVay. Nick Sirianni (ranked fourth) and Dan Campbell (fifth) round out the top five. Kyle Shanahan (sixth), Jim Harbaugh (eighth), Matt LaFleur (ninth), and Sean Payton (tenth) round out the top ten. Typically, when we discuss the brilliance of what we see on the sidelines weekly, Harbaugh isn't brought up. Some see that as being disrespectful. That's understandable, but perhaps this happiness serves another purpose. Could an argument be made that John Harbaugh is so good that he is taken for granted? Don't worry. Another Vince Lombardi Trophy will place him in rare air. He'll have a chance to win one next February as, thanks to his leadership, Baltimore will again be among the AFC's top Super Bowl contenders.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens updated 90-man roster following mandatory minicamp
Here's an overview of the Baltimore Ravens' 90-man roster following the two-day mandatory minicamp and the addition of Jaire Alexander Baltimore just exited the Under Armour Performance Center following two days of mandatory minicamp, and it was the last time this Super Bowl hopeful will be together until mid-July. During free agency, the Ravens added Cooper Rush and DeAndre Hopkins to the passing game, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on defense, and Jake Hummel to the special teams. The team is still in the midst of a Super Bowl window and signed a talented and versatile 11-player NFL draft class, and 17 undrafted free agents. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta made the most significant move of the off-season on Wednesday, quietly coming to terms with Jaire Alexander on a one-year deal. With the mandatory minicamp completed, we're updating the Ravens' 90-man roster with training camp six weeks away. QB --3 Lamar Jackson Cooper Rush Devin Leary Leading Baltimore to its second straight AFC North title, Jackson was first-team All-Pro and set career highs for passing yards (4,172), touchdown passes (41), quarterback rating (119.6), and completions (316). Baltimore signed former Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush as Lamar Jackson's backup. RB --5 Rasheen Ali Derrick Henry Justice Hill Keaton Mitchell Marcus Major (Undrafted free agent) The second most impressive free agent signing last spring, Henry had the second-most rushing yards in the NFL (1,783), only trailing Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley (2,005). Both players averaged 5.8 yards per carry this season. Henry's 14 rushing touchdowns were tied for the second-most in the league, only behind the Bills' James Cook (15). Justice Hill had 47 carries for 228 yards, 42 catches for 383 yards, and four total touchdowns. Major (5-11, 213) logged 1,185 yards and 11 touchdowns on 272 rushes (4.4 avg.) during his time at Minnesota and Oklahoma. FB --2 Patrick Ricard Lucas Scott WR --12 Rashod Bateman Malik Cunningham Zay Flowers DeAndre Hopkins Keith Kirkwood Anthony Miller Dayton Wade Devontez Walker Tylan Wallace LaJohntay Wester (Drafted Rookie) Jahmal Banks (Undrafted Rookie) Xavier Guillory (Undrafted Rookie) Zay Flowers made the Pro Bowl after logging 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns. Rashod Bateman had his best NFL season, logging 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. There was a drop-off after that, with Nelson Agholor logging 29 catches for 231 yards and two scores. So Baltimore went out and added DeAndre Hopkins. TE --5 Mark Andrews Charlie Kolar Isaiah Likely Zaire Mitchell-Paden Sam Pitz After a slow start, Mark Andrews finished with 55 catches for 673 yards and 11 scores while Isaiah Likely had 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. OL -- 17 Tyler Linderbaum Nick Samac Ben Cleveland Darrian Dalcourt Daniel Faalele Andrew Vorhees Corey Bullock Roger Rosengarten Ronnie Stanley Joe Noteboom Garrett Dellinger (Drafted Rookie) Emery Jones (Drafted Rookie) Carson Vinson (Drafted Rookie) Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (Undrafted Rookie) Reid Holskey (Undrafted Rookie) Ozzie Hutchinson (Undrafted Rookie) Jared Penning (Undrafted Rookie) After losing three players from last season's unit, Baltimore's offensive line was supposed to take a big step back. After a slow start, this group played better and better. The athletic Lamar Jackson was sacked only 23 times this season, and the Ravens finished with 3,189 rushing yards as a team. The Ravens' offensive line produced a 13th-ranked 85.8 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, allowing 145 pressures and just eight sacks on 539 pass plays this season. Tyler Linderbaum was the unit's best player, and his 82.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked fourth among centers this season. Ronnie Stanley returns on a two-year deal, while Andrew Vorhees should be the starter at left guard. DT -- 6 Nnamdi Madubuike John Jenkins Basil (C.J.) Okoye Travis Jones Aeneas Peebles (Drafted Rookie) Jayson Jones (Undrafted Free Agent) DE-- 3 Adedayo Odeleye C.J. Ravenell Broderick Washington Edge Rusher --9 Malik Hamm Adisa Isaac David Ojabo Odafe Oweh Tavius Robinson Kyle Van Noy Mike Green (Draft Pick) Kaimon Rucker (Undrafted rookie) Diwun Black (undrafted rookie) LB --7 Jake Hummel William Kwenkeu Trenton Simpson Roquan Smith Teddye Buchanan (Draft Pick) Diwun Black (Undrafted Free Agent) Jay Higgins (Undrafted Free Agent) Chandler Martin (Undrafted Free Agent) CB -- 11 Jalyn Armour-Davis Chidobe Awuzie Marlon Humphrey Jaire Alexander T.J. Tampa Nate Wiggins Bilhal Kone (Draft Pick) Robert Longerbeam (Draft Pick) Reuben Lowery (Undrafted Free Agent) Keyon Martin (Undrafted Free Agent) Marquise Robinson (Undrafted Free Agent) Alexander has missed at least 10 games in three of his last four seasons, but he's still one of the best in the NFL when healthy. S -- 7 Beau Brade Kyle Hamilton Sanoussi Kane Ar'Darius Washington Malaki Starks (Draft Pick) Desmond Igbinosun (Undrafted Free Agent) Keondre Jackson (Undrafted Free Agent) Specialist --4 John Hoyland (Undrafted rookie) Nick Moore Jordan Stout Tyler Loop (Draft Pick)
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kyle Hamilton makes bold comment after Baltimore Ravens steal top defender Jaire Alexander from Green Bay Packers
Kyle Hamilton makes bold comment after Baltimore Ravens steal top defender Jaire Alexander from Green Bay Packers (Image via Getty) The Baltimore Ravens are making headlines again, and this time, it's because of a star cornerback. Fans didn't expect this update, but now it's all over social media. One of the team's top players, Kyle Hamilton, spoke out. He gave his honest thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' decision to bring in Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander. The news spread fast, and many are now watching what this means for the team's defense. But what exactly did Kyle Hamilton say, and why does this signing matter so much? Kyle Hamilton says Jaire Alexander brings real value to Baltimore Ravens' defense On June 21, 2025, safety Kyle Hamilton spoke during a Baltimore Ravens team session in Baltimore, Maryland. He shared his thoughts on the team adding Jaire Alexander, a top cornerback from the Green Bay Packers. 'He's been one of the best in this league since he got in it,' Kyle Hamilton told reporters, referring to Jaire Alexander's strong record in the NFL since being drafted in 2018. Kyle Hamilton added, 'To have anybody like that, no matter what position, especially as a DB, it's super valuable.' Already noted for its ferocity, the Baltimore Ravens' defense might get even stronger with the addition of Jaire Alexander. Kyle Hamilton's remark reveals how much Jaire Alexander commands. As one of the leaders on defense, Kyle Hamilton's words reflect the excitement inside the team. Jaire Alexander's past performance and the reason behind the move Since being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft to the Green Bay Packers in 2018, Jaire Alexander's talent for making fast plays, his awareness and skill at reading plays, and covering elite wide receivers have made him a comparatively dangerous player. He was a Second-team All-Pro in 2020 and a Pro Bowler on two occasions. The Baltimore Ravens completed the movement just days prior to the opening of training camp in Owings Mills. The front office made the signing to fill a key gap in the secondary lineup. With Jaire Alexander's past stats and sharp skills, the team hopes to stop big plays from rival offenses. Now, with Kyle Hamilton and Jaire Alexander on the same field, Baltimore fans are eager to see how it all plays out. Also Read: Baltimore Steals Star Corner Jaire Alexander From Green Bay To Shake Up AFC Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New Ravens star and Lamar Jackson are already showing signs of elite chemistry
New Ravens star and Lamar Jackson are already showing signs of elite chemistry Early signs are pointing to something special brewing between Lamar Jackson and a Ravens newcomer. A glance at what was going on at the Baltimore Ravens' mandatory minicamp was all it took to force a couple of smiles across the faces of anyone interested. First and foremost, everyone is present and/or accounted for, which, in today's NFL, says a lot. All eyes were on Lamar Jackson as he returned after attending the first day of OTAs before enjoying some much-needed rest. Cameras were everywhere, and as expected, they followed the two-time MVP to the microphone as he spoke with the media for just under a dozen minutes following practice. Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins are already seeing eye to eye which is dangerous for the rest of the NFL It doesn't matter how good your coaches are or how much talent you have in the locker room if there isn't any chemistry. Remember that NBA Finals clash featuring the Detroit Pistons and the supercharged and heavily stacked Los Angeles Lakers? L.A. had most of the star power and a 4-2 edge in future Hall of Famers. Detroit had the chemistry. Who remembers how that series worked out? Anyone looking for an NFL parallel needn't look any further than these Ravens. They are also seeking a title to validate themselves. They are also showcasing chemistry on and off the field. Lamar Jackson has previously discussed building camaraderie by 'getting the guys together' pre- and post-practice sessions. During his minicamp presser, he spoke of creating bonds and nonverbal communication as a byproduct. DeAndre Hopkins is one of the new faces. He has already won over Zay Flowers among others, but based on what Lamar is saying, they are already finding some common ground and some areas where they are connecting. So, how might we describe D-Hop based on what we have learned up until now? He has seemingly turned the clock back. Perhaps the two-time AP NFL MVP and now reigning (and three-time) PFWA Writers MVP says it best. There have been a ton of takeaways we can dissect until training camp breaks, but here's one of the largest. Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins are finding elite chemistry, which is great news for Baltimore and a nightmare looming for opposing defensive coordinators.
