The Baltimore Ravens have emerged as one of the NFL’s top contenders this season, boasting a 7-3 record. Led by MVP-caliber performances from Lamar Jackson and a reinvigorated run game with Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ offense has been electric, averaging a league-leading 440.2 yards and 31.8 points per game. However, their defense has regressed significantly from last year’s dominant form. After allowing just 16.5 points per game in 2023, they now rank among the league’s worst, surrendering 25.3 points per game. For Baltimore to rebound from last season’s AFC Championship loss and push for a Super Bowl appearance, their defense must step up. Regardless of the outcome, major defensive changes may be on the horizon in 2025.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano has speculated that Ravens’ star cornerback Marlon Humphrey could be a candidate for departure this offseason. Humphrey, who signed a five-year, $97.5 million extension in 2020, is part of a struggling defense that might undergo a major overhaul. Graziano highlighted several factors influencing this potential move, including Humphrey’s performance, age, and contract. “With four interceptions this season, Humphrey is contributing, but the defense’s overall struggles could prompt significant changes,” Graziano noted. At 28 years old and with a scheduled $18 million cap hit in 2025—including a $14 million salary and $4 million roster bonus due in March—cutting ties with Humphrey before the roster bonus deadline could save the Ravens some cap space, despite $12.7 million in dead money.
Graziano also pointed to Baltimore’s investment in cornerback Nate Wiggins, their first-round draft pick this year, as a possible signal of a defensive shift. The Ravens will continue their playoff push this Sunday, aiming to claim the AFC North’s top spot against the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
