News Ravens Team Notes

[Baltimore Ravens]

Calais Campbell ‘mulling between Ravens and Dolphins’

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end is considering a return to the Baltimore Ravens.

Editor’s Note: This article was not intended as an April Fools Day joke. But fewer than two hours after publishing the story, Calais Campbell signed with the Arizona Cardinals. So, jokes on us.

ESPN sources: Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell was the Cardinals’ 2008 second-round pick, played in Arizona until 2016, and now will return there for his 18th NFL season. pic.twitter.com/eBoNmgR2xC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2025​

---

According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, six-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell is considering a return to Baltimore as he mulls over his career.

“Campbell, a free agent defensive lineman, is mulling whether he wants to sign with the Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens or another team,” Jackson wrote. “Retirement isn’t out of the question, either.”

On Monday, Miami Dolphins Head Coach spoke on Campbell’s being a free agent.

“Calais, specifically, is in a unique situation where he’s assessing multiple options as a player in the 45th year of his career,” McDaniel said. “There’s a lot in play in that, in regard to, your play is high, you’re excited to play another year. He’s assessing those options, and he was a very important player to the team last year. I see him having the opportunity to be a very important player on the team this year.”

Campbell, who turns 39 in September, would be playing his 18th season in the NFL if he returns. He leads all active players for games started (242).

The Ravens have a need at defensive line and more importantly need veteran depth at a position which stands rather young outside of defensive end Brent Urban after Michael Pierce announced his retirement on March 12.

Campbell has accomplished nearly everything in his career outside of winning a Super Bowl. With the Ravens in position to contend for the championship once more, the Ravens may be enticing enough to reunite once more.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...ravens-and-dolphins-nfl-free-agency-news-2025

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Ravens interviewed Rutgers CB Eric Rogers

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Eric Rogers impressed at his recent pro day, posting a 6.84 in the three-cone drill and a 10’3” in the broad jump.

As a franchise known for having strong defenses year-in and year-out, the Ravens know how important it is to have a strong secondary. The 2024 season was not up to their own high standard and the pass defense was by-far one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. This offseason, the Ravens have added veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to help give that position group some needed experience, but that’s not stopping them from doing their due dillegence on the rest of this year’s cornerback class.

In a recent interview done by The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Ravens reportedly held a pre-draft interview with Rutgers cornerback Eric Rogers. During a recent pro day, Rogers impressed with an elite 6.84 in the three-cone drill, which would have ranked second at the NFL combine.

.@RFootball CB Eric Rogers impressed at Pro Day, leaping a 10"3' broad + ran a 6.84 3-cone. Scouts had his 40 in the mid-to-high 4.5s.

Rogers interviewed w/ #BAL. #CIN + #LAC interest. #PHI + #NYG invites to local day.@Rogers__5 on @TheDraftNetwork:https://t.co/Ia774WAPM4

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 30, 2025​

Rogers began his collegiate career with the Northern Illinois Huskies where he played from 2020-2022. In three years there, he totaled 44 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, and five pass breakups.

After transferring to Rutgers, Rogers started 12 games for the Scarlet Knights with 11 of them coming as a senior in 2024. He ended his career in the Big Ten with 53 tackles, one tackles for loss, one sack, 10 pass breakups, one interception, and two forced fumbles.

TOUCHDOWN #Rutgers! CB Eric Rogers takes it to the house to kick off the scoring! pic.twitter.com/xcImj9sDAD

— Rutgers Scarlet Knights | The Knight Report (@RutgersRivals) August 29, 2024​

Rogers is likely to go late on day three of this year’s draft or get signed as an undrafted free agent.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2025/4/1/24397780/ravens-nfl-draft-rutgers-eric-rogers-interview

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Steve Bisciotti doesn’t want Super Bowl just for Lamar Jackson

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Owner wants Super Bowl for everybody in the organziation

When people talk about wishing for a Super Bowl victory for the Baltimore Ravens, the first name that comes to mind is Lamar Jackson, and there's good reason. As the franchise quarterback, he’s typically the first name that comes to mind for most. He also has the incredible story to go with it, being doubted in the draft, asked to switch positions, the constant ridicule he’s received and being told he’s not ‘quarterbacky’ enough by plenty of different analysts. But in a recent interview with owner Steve Bisciotti and head coach John Harbaugh, Bisciotti says he doesn’t just think about Jackson.

“I don’t look at Lamar singularly,” Bisciotti said to Garrett Downing after Harbaugh mentioned him and the team wanting to win it for Jackson. “I want it for Ronnie Stanley. I want it for Marlon Humphrey.”

Bisciotti goes on to say it doesn’t stop with just Jackson and that when he watches the team he owns, Jackson doesn’t stand out as a person he’s rooting for, he’s rooting for the entire organization and team.

“We’ve been doing this forever,” Bisciotti said. “I want it for Eric DeCosta. Has he technically won a Super Bowl, as a GM? No. So I want that. Ozzie [Newsome, former GM] got a couple of them. I want Eric to get that.”

Harbaugh then takes it a step further also saying, “We want it for the fans too”. He talks about remembering what it was like for the fans in 2013 when the Ravens won it for the 2012 season, “I want to see the fans dancing in the street like they were in 2013, like they were in 2000.”

While Jackson’s story in memorable as a multi-MVP winner and a likely future Hall of Famer and is typically the biggest story for the Ravens in the media, it’s nice to hear other in the organization recognize others on the team and in the building who have been there even longer than Jackson who deserves a ring as well.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...doesnt-want-super-bowl-just-for-lamar-jackson

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Harbaugh says Hopkins ‘has always felt like he should be a Raven’

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

John Harbaugh has always felt wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins should be a Raven

John Harbaugh recently held a press conference during the Annual NFL Owners Meeting where many topics were discussed. One reporter asked about new Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and what he brings to the table. Harbaugh answered with a story about the phone call he received and how Hopkins vision aligned with the Ravens but the most interesting quote was a personal feeling Harbaugh had on Hopkins. “He’s a guy, that just I’ve always felt like he should be a Raven...when I watched him play.”

Harbaugh went on to compare the feeling to a similar feeling he had when watching Derrick Henry play in the NFL for a long time and how the Ravens felt when they watched Lamar Jackson play in college. It doesn’t come as a big surprise. While results haven’t been there, the Ravens have reportedly been in on Hopkins for a long time. There was lots of chatter about Hopkins during the 2023 offseason before Jackson re-signed with the Ravens. Hopkins was clearly on the out from Arizona with the Cardinals shopping him before the 2023 draft. The Ravens instead signed Odell Beckham Jr. in early April before Lamar Jackson signed his extension in late April hours before the draft. Hopkins was released from Arizona on June 1st of that year.

The Ravens were also in on Hopkins at the height of his dominance. When the Texans made the surprise trade before the 2020 draft, the Ravens were known to have made an offer. Other reports even suggested the Ravens were the best offer the Texans received outside of Arizona where Hopkins was traded to.

The Ravens, according to multiple sources, were one of the teams that made a run at DeAndre Hopkins before the Texans traded him to Arizona. If they draft a receiver tonight, it won't be a huge surprise.

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 23, 2020​

Outside of just his physical presence on the field that screams Raven (even if the wide receiver room itself has lacked it since Steve Smith Sr.), there are other factors as well that say Ravens wide receiver. The Ravens have a known penchant for late-veteran, third-contract receivers, and being successful with them too. Derrick Mason joined the Ravens after nine years and three contracts and became the franchise’s best wide receiver, arguably ever. Anquan Boldin was a late veteran who was instrumental to winning the 2012 Super Bowl. Steve Smith Sr. was a birth of fresh air at the end of the Joe Flacco era when the Ravens lacked pass catchers for a long time. Odell Beckham’s singular year was filled with massive plays and great presence even if the numbers weren’t there.

The Ravens love older veteran receivers and have a way of squeezing whatever juice is left out of them and typically knowing when the right moment to move on from them is, Boldin trade aside. The Ravens are going to look to do the same with DeAndre Hopkins.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...ins-has-always-felt-like-he-should-be-a-raven

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Ravens jump up AND trade Mark Andrews in ESPN ‘first-round trade’ mock draft

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Ravens acquire early 20’s pick and a starting guard in this mock draft.

March and April are the months of mock drafts. Free agency comes and goes in a flash, the frenzy only lasting a week typically. With NFL news limited to the rules committee and the Owners Meeting outside of the free agents, majority of the attention for two months turns to the NFL draft, arguably one of the best marketed sporting events in the United States. Experts like Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper, Lance Zierlein and more get the attention as the NFL sphere gears up for the draft.

In a unique look at the draft, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell did a mock first round. But instead of drafting prospects, Barnwell submitted a mock trade involving each team's first-round pick. With each scenario existing in its own unique universe, we’ll take a look at the Ravens' proposed trade.

Ravens receive: 1-22 and offensive guard Zion Johnson

Chargers receive: 1-27, 4-136 and TE Mark Andrews

Barnwell spends most of his time talking about the Chargers end of this trade here. Zion Johnson was a first-round guard for the Chargers who Barnwell says “hasn’t lived up to expectations” and “average”. Johnson is in the last year of his rookie contract with his fifth-year option still available, costing $17.6 million guaranteed. Remember the Ravens also have center Tyler Linderbaum to extend and pay.

The Ravens also trade Mark Andrews here, which would down them an All-Pro caliber player and Lamar Jackson’s favorite target. With Andrews’ roster bonus triggering, no matter when the Ravens trade Andrews, they would lose him plus be two million in the hole with the dead money. The most basic breakdown of this trade is the Ravens trade their first and compensatory fourth to move up five spots to 22 and then a player swap players on the last year of their contracts with Andrews and Johnson.

This trade doesn’t make sense for the Ravens in most senses. While the Ravens technically win out on value according to the Jimmy Johnson value chart between the three picks, the Ravens rarely jump up in the draft anywhere, much less the first round. While I’m not against moving up if an impact player is falling, the Ravens probably are, preferring to let value fall to them. The player swap is also in poor taste for the Ravens. An “average” guard that’s not likely to be extended for your quarterback’s favorite weapon is not a good swap, especially when the Ravens seem content with their “average” guards in Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees. Unless a guard is an obvious upgrade over one of those two, I can’t see the Ravens making a move like that.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...-andrews-in-espn-first-round-trade-mock-draft

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

DeAndre Hopkins Signing Given B+ Grade by ESPN Analyst

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

ESPN’s Seth Walder complimentary of Ravens’ signing of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins

The Baltimore Ravens added big-name, big-body wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and it’s been lauded by most. That is, other than an unnamed NFL executive in an article from The Athletic’s Mike Sando, who said his addition “doesn’t do anything for me,” but ESPN’s Seth Walder says otherwise.

“There are some signs of Hopkins’ demise being premature,” Walder wrote. “He still posted a 70 open score in ESPN’s receiver scores last season. Granted, it came with career-low (at least dating to 2017) catch and YAC scores. But the open score shows he still has something.”

Adding Hopkins has largely been viewed as high-end depth signing to pair with wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. And in doing so, they’re adding a player who outpaced quite a few star receivers from last season.

“Though his playing time dropped off, the 32-year-old Hopkins also recorded 1.8 yards per route run last season between Tennessee and Kansas City,” Walder wrote. “You could do a lot worse than that. Here are some receivers who had a lower yards per route run last year — Jordan Addison, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, Garrett Wilson, Deebo Samuel Sr., DJ Moore and Joshua Palmer.”

Also to the Ravens’ credit, Walder notes the value of Hopkins’ contract.

“Some of those are stars with high volume, but the much-younger Palmer just got $12 million per year from the Bills,” Walder wrote. “Either way, I’m more than good with rolling the dice on Hopkins as a depth receiver for Lamar Jackson for this little money.”

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...hopkins-signing-given-b-grade-by-espn-analyst

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Ravens lose 2 rushing records after NFL includes AAFC to official records

Ravens’ records have been superseded as the NFL will now include records from the AAFC.

In 2019, the Ravens broke the NFL’s team rushing record. Last season, they broke the NFL’s team yards per carry record. That is, until the Competition Committee reported to NFL owners that the statistics from the AAFC will be incorporated into the NFL’s official records.

“Included in the Competition Committee report to NFL owners in advance of the Annual League Meeting was notice that the statistics from the AAFC — players, coaches and teams — will finally be incorporated into the NFL’s official records, just as the AFL records were incorporated into the NFL’s record when the merger was completed,” NFL.com’s Judy Battista wrote. “The report was officially approved by the owners in Palm Beach on Tuesday.”

Fortunately, Jackson’s yards per carry, which ranks third in NFL history, managed to edge out the addition of Hall of Fame fullback and linebacker Marion Motley. However, the team records are now both second in the NFL, behind the 1948 San Francisco 49ers.

“And the San Francisco 49ers of 1948 amassed 3,663 yards rushing, which puts them in first place all-time over the 2019 Baltimore Ravens, who had 3,296 rushing yards,” Battista wrote. “The 1948 49ers averaged 6.1 yards per run in 1948, which will also put them in first place, just ahead of the 2024 Ravens, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry.”

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...s-after-nfl-includes-aafc-to-official-records

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

John Harbaugh says RB Keaton Mitchell will be on ‘a whole other level’ this year

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

The speedy RB will be another year removed from injury

Undrafted running back Keaton Mitchell looked like the next big thing for the Baltimore Ravens’ offense when he exploded onto the scene as a rookie during the 2023 season. After an unfortunate knee injury cut Mitchell’s electric debut season short, the Ravens added star running back Derrick Henry to take over the backfield. Henry did not disappoint, finishing with the second-most rushing yards in the league in 2024. Meanwhile, Mitchell did not return to action until Week 10, appearing in only five games for the rest of the season while rushing for 30 yards on 15 carries.

Further removed from his injury, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh believes Mitchell will return even stronger this season.

“That was a really tough injury,” Harbaugh said. “So, the fact that he got back when he did was, to me, almost miraculous that he was out there playing at all. I’m almost certain, as much as you can be sure, he’s going to be [on] a whole other level coming back in the spring and then again into training camp, because he is going to be a year and a half out of that deal.”

Coach Harbaugh on RB Keaton Mitchell's offseason: pic.twitter.com/uAMAkonHFR

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 31, 2025​

With Henry and Justice Hill ahead of him in the pecking order, it will be tough for Mitchell to find consistent snaps. The Ravens may also add another running back via the draft with one of their 11 picks. If Mitchell can return to the homerun-hitting form he displayed as a rookie, then offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be forced to find ways to incorporate him in the weekly game plan.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...n-a-whole-other-level-this-year-derrick-henry

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti reflects on risk of drafting Lamar Jackson

Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The businessman does not like to view things as risks

In a stacked quarterback class in the 2018 NFL Draft that saw five signal callers come off the board in the first round, many analysts saw Louisville Heisman-winner Lamar Jackson as the riskiest of the bunch. The polarizing dual threat would have slipped out of the first round if not for the Baltimore Ravens trading with the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 32 overall pick to take him.

Longtime veteran and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco was the Ravens’ starting quarterback, so Jackson was not expected to be thrown into the fire like many first-round rookies at the position. This allowed Baltimore to put a plan in place for Jackson’s unique skillset for the day when he would take the reigns from Flacco. That day came a lot sooner than many anticipated as Flacco was sidelined with a back injury midway through the season, leading to Jackson taking over and the offense shifting radically.

The Ravens were sitting at 4-5 when Jackson made his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. The team rallied around the young quarterback, finishing the season 10-6 and winning the AFC North for the first time since 2012. While Jackson’s performance was shaky in his first playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers and his passing needed a little bit of work, it was clear that Baltimore had something potentially special on their hands. That was proven correct the next season when Jackson won MVP, becoming just the second player to ever take home the award by unanimous decision.

After winning another MVP in 2023 and finishing second for the award behind Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen last season, it feels silly to imagine a time when Jackson was considered risky to draft. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti never liked to think of it as a risk, though.

“I don’t even look at it as a risk,” Bisciotti said. “If it failed, we failed. It wasn’t that Lamar failed. The minute we’re making an out-of-the-box — again, how out-of-the-box was it — I just thought, well it’s gonna succeed because we’re gonna mitigate the risk.”

Baltimore has deployed historically great rushing offenses with Jackson as the driving force, but under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the offense has become equally as lethal through the air. Jackson is not only the best running quarterback in NFL history, but he has developed into one of the finest passers at the position today — something many skeptics never thought possible.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...-on-risk-of-drafting-lamar-jackson-joe-flacco

 

[Baltimore Ravens]

There’s so much lying in wait for the Ravens’ offseason

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

It’s all quiet surrounding the Ravens, but there’s a mountain of work still to come.

The Baltimore Ravens accomplished much this offseason. Re-signing their own, adding a few outside free agents, making coaching changes and building for another year of Super Bowl contention. Now, just over two weeks from the NFL Draft, so much remains unresolved for the Ravens.

NFL’s Investigation of K Justin Tucker, Ravens’ Reaction​

This one will go only at the NFL’s pace, which is historically slow. The investigation will take “as much time as it needs” and the ensuing punishment will follow. Afterward, the Ravens will then decide to take action, be it releasing Tucker or otherwise.

Mark Andrews’ Status: Trade or contract extension​

The Ravens didn’t send Andrews elsewhere during the early days of free agency to create around $11 million in free agency. He remained on the roster on March 17 when is $4 million roster bonus activated. But the Ravens could still trade him. It’s unlikely, yes, but there’s still a realm in which a tight end needy team is willing to part with a valuable draft pick to land a surefire star tight end. If so, the Ravens may be sending Andrews elsewhere and running with up-and-coming budding star Isaiah Likely.

But if the Ravens want to keep Andrews, a contract extension is the bonafide way to do so. Securing the franchise’s receiving touchdowns leader would be the be-all, end-all on the matter. However, there could be a wrench thrown in that after Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride reset the market for the position last week.

1. Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar all celebrating this as they're all FAs next season. Quite the market reset. Previous highest AAV was Kelce with $17.125 million. Now it's $19 million.

2. #ProudToBe https://t.co/0Q9QW3MGc9

— Kyle Phoenix (@KylePBarber) April 3, 2025​

Lamar Jackson Contract Extension​

The Ravens learned in their last negotiation with Jackson that the longer it takes, the harder and more expensive it becomes. Both sides were frustrated. Jackson at one point requested a trade. General Manager Eric DeCosta has been public in the challenge of negotiating with Jackson.

The best avenue is to sign Jackson to an extension, and the earlier the better. Certainly with his back-to-back seasons of $74.5 million looming in 2026-27.

Derrick Henry Contract Extension​

The Ravens landed Henry for a modest two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens. This season, he’s playing on an $8 million AAV deal, which ranks No. 12 among running backs. After only Saquon Barkley out-rushed him last season, it’s all but certain Henry wants to get a re-worked deal or extension, seeing as Barkley is being paid $20.6 million AAV, more than twice what he is earning.

Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Fifth-Year Options, Extensions​

By May 1, the Ravens will have to make decisions on whether to exercise the fifth-year option on both 2022 first-round picks.

Both will cost the maximum on their options as both earned two Pro Bowls with their original team. Hamilton is due $18.6 million. Meanwhile, Linderbaum would earn $23.4 million, which would shatter the center market by more than $5 million.

An extension is likely for Linderbaum to secure the Ravens’ center long-term and not be doing so at an egregious cost. But what will the Ravens do with Hamilton?

Ar’Darius Washington Tender​

On March 12, the Ravens applied the lowest-valued tender on Washington, which from Washington’s social media, didn’t appear to go over well.

However, it’s unresolved Washington signs the tender or more comes of the matter.

Potential For New Contracts​

Rashod Bateman, WR

In 2023, Bateman did not report to training camp and thus became ineligible for a fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Because of this, the Ravens had all the leverage in potential contract negotiations. Nonetheless, the Ravens signed him on April 29 to a two-year, $12.87 million deal with $8.25 million guaranteed.

When meeting with media a month later in May 2024, Bateman shared he was shocked by the contract extension. And now, there’s a case for Bateman to make that he deserves a better deal after racking up 756 yards and nine touchdowns, along with stepping up in the playoffs with touchdowns in both games.

Kyle Van Noy, EDGE

For a second straight season, Van Noy has shattered his career best in sacks as he totaled 12.5 for Baltimore in 2024 en route to his first career Pro Bowl. But the deal he’s playing on could be one he’s not too thrilled about.

Van Noy is set to make $6.125 million in 2025, which ranks No. 59 among all edge rushers this season. Van Noy finished the 2024 season graded as the No. 26 edge rusher by pass rush grade according to PFF, and No. 25 by overall defense grade. More importantly, he was fourth in the NFL for sacks, surpassed only by Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett and Nik Bonitto.

If Van Noy doesn’t want to play under the current deal, he could hold out. He also could retire, which further impacts the Ravens’ thin outside linebacker room.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2...amar-jackson-contract-extension-justin-tucker