Despite the outside chatter, safety Kyle Hamilton nor center Tyler Linderbaum feels a sense of urgency to sign a contract extension.
Both players are entering their fourth year and would be under contract through the 2026 season if the Ravens pick up their fifth-year option by May 2. This is the first offseason in which they are eligible for extensions.
They've both been to two Pro Bowls, so Hamilton's fifth-year option would cost $18.6 million, while Linderbaum's would be $23.4 million for the 2026 season.
As the Ravens began offseason workouts Monday, Hamilton and Linderbaum said they aren't stressing about signing a new deal.
"I haven't had too many talks about it to be honest," Hamilton said. "They're busy, draft stuff, and all that stuff going on and I'm not in a big rush. If it happens it happens, cool. If it happens this offseason, cool too, but I'm not in a rush to get it done necessarily."
Hamilton said he would prefer to have a contract extension before the 2025 season begins, but he did not offer a hard deadline.
"I would like to," Hamilton said. "I don't really like worrying about outside stuff during the season. That's been since like high school, honestly. I kind of just want to be able to play football, focus on that.
"If that stuff is going on during the season, that's what I have agents for. They'll do a good job with that. That's such a hypothetical at this point that I'll just cross that bridge when I get there."
Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens agreed to a four-year extension on Monday, which could help set the parameters for Linderbaum's next contract. Jurgens' deal is reportedly worth $68 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Though he is aware of Jurgens' new contract, Linderbaum is focused on continuing his career trajectory as one of the league's top centers who keeps getting better.
"He's obviously one of the best centers in the league, a really high-caliber player," Linderbaum said. "Excited for him.
"I'll let my agent handle that. I'm just focusing on becoming as good of a football player as I can be for this team. [I'm] coming in here every day and putting my best foot forward. Let all the other things take care of itself. I'm giving my all to the team right now, that's my focus, and that's how it should be."
Lamar Jackson's Offseason Program Won't Change
Lamar Jackson created a buzz during the 2024 offseason when he arrived at OTA's in May weighing more than 20 pounds less than he did in 2023.
A slimmer Jackson had his best statistical season, and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Scott Elliott said the two-time MVP quarterback will build off the work he did last offseason.
"With Lamar, it's take what he did last year and continue that process," Elliott said. "As you guys saw, he was in great shape at this point last year, he is again this year. And then we wanted to lay down some lean muscle tissue as we got into the season. We got into the season he was up a few pounds and played at that MVP-caliber level.
"If I had a vote, I know what I would've voted. That's the plan for this year as well."
Roquan Smith Strengthens Bond With Trenton Simpson
Roquan Smith likes planning ahead and has taken that approach with teammate Trenton Simpson. The inside linebackers have already met this offseason, strengthening their bond after Simpson's first season as a starter.
Things did not go as smoothly as Simpson hoped in 2024, and his playing time diminished as the season progressed. However, Simpson returns as a projected starter after the departures of Malik Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Chris Board (New York Giants) during free agency. Smith believes Simpson's third season will be his best.
"Trent, I've got a great deal of respect for him, [I've] got some good sessions in with him this offseason just trying to build on our bond with each other," Smith said. "Knowing what he's thinking in certain situations and knowing what I'm thinking as well, getting out and doing more things to create a tighter bond.
"The guy has all the athletic ability in the world, everything you'd want. I've got great faith that he's going to be able to put it all together. We're excited to get to work. I'm very excited for him and his future."
Linderbaum Expects Andrew Vorhees to Step in Seamlessly
Andrew Vorhees started the first three games at left guard in 2024 before being sidelined with an ankle injury. Veteran Patrick Mekari took over and played so well that Vorhees never regained his starting job.
Mekari was rewarded with a three-year contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving Vorhees with another chance to become a starter. Linderbaum believes Vorhees will seize the opportunity.
"Andrew's a starting caliber player," Linderbaum said. "Coming off the knee injury (in 2023), I think OTA's last year was the first reps he's gotten in like two years. He's just making jumps and jumps each and every day. I thought he played at a high level for the games that he was in. Dealing with the ankle injury was unfortunate. He's another guy that I have the utmost confidence in, that when he steps in he's going to play at a high level."
Injury Prevention Is Combination of Preparation and Luck
The Ravens have had two of their healthiest seasons in 2023 and 2024, and the team's medical and training staff continuously explores ways to avoid injuries and expedite recovery.
Elliott said Baltimore's recent health has been a result of hard work and good fortune.
"You've got to have great preparation … and that's got to be matched with great luck," Elliott said. "I truly believe over the last couple years we've seen both of those come together.
"At the end of the day it's a very physical game. Things do happen that are outside of your control, and we've been fortunate to avoid those, and if we have incurred those situations they've been more on the short-term side of things where we've returned guys to play."
Elliott believes the players deserve credit for their strong participation in offseason workouts, and for their dedication to taking care of their bodies year-round.
"With the buy-in of the players, we're able to individualize the structure of either their lift or their run," Elliott said. "That's part of the preparation process. We've had a great turnout over the past couple years, this year included. I truly believe this phase is the foundation on which training camp and the whole year is predicated on."
