Peter Schrager Predicts Ravens Will 'Come Back With a Vengeance' in 2026
From the coaching staff to the roster, it's been an offseason of change for the Ravens. The expectations, however, remain the same.
The Ravens have been perennial contenders for decades, and after missing the playoffs last year, ESPN's Peter Schrager believes they will return to form in 2026.
"The team that is saying all the right things and seems to be building the right way, I do think the Ravens are going to come back with a vengeance," Schrager said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "I know the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, and I know this affects the tone in a real way, but talking to [Head Coach Jesse] Minter, talking to [General Manager Eric] DeCosta, they felt the impact of missing the playoffs, and that went from the top to the bottom.
"They know that they had to scrap a lot of things and bring in a lot of new faces and new voices, and I believe there is an urgency, a desire, and a freshness in that building where I think the Ravens are going to be very good."
Schrager added that he isn't concerned about the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson not reaching an agreement on an extension before the start of the new league year last month.
"I would imagine all that gets taken care of in the wash and it will happen, and it's not going to happen on our timeline," Schrager said.
Jerry Jones Weighs in on Ravens' Handling of Nixed Crosby Trade
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones confirmed that his team was in the mix for Crosby before the Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a trade that ultimately fell through, reportedly due to Baltimore's concern over the discovery of a degenerative issue in Crosby's surgically repaired knee.
Jones said he has no issue with how the Ravens handled the situation.
"Really it's pretty simple for me. There's no hidden item there," Jones said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings, via the team website. "You have to pass a physical. We've never completed an agreement until the player passes a physical. That implies yours, being your doctors and trainers and everyone involved, get to take a look at it. That goes with the territory."
The Cowboys' team doctor, Dan Cooper, a renowned knee specialist, reportedly was among a handful of doctors from outside the organization that the Ravens consulted with about Crosby's knee.
"We would've basically looked at the same conditions with a physical," Jones said. "And as you know, we were in on making an offer for him. So he would've come to Dallas, so we'll all just guess what would've happened."
The Cowboys reportedly made multiple escalating offers for Crosby before the Raiders accepted the Ravens' offer of two first-round picks.
When asked if the Cowboys would revisit trading for Crosby, Jones said: "I don't anticipate, standing here right now, revisiting that situation. I don't anticipate it. Is it possible? Yes."
Pundit Says Ravens Should Sign Former Browns Center
The Ravens signed two centers this offseason after Tyler Linderbaum departed in free agency, and they could add a center in the draft. Even if they do, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport thinks they should pursue veteran free-agent center Ethan Pocic.
"Ethan Pocic may not be the player he once was. The 30-year-old also missed four games last year," Davenport wrote. "But in 826 snaps last year with the Cleveland Browns, Pocic allowed just two sacks and committed just two penalties per [Pro Football Focus].
"The Ravens have the cap space to add Pocic, and he may well welcome the opportunity to play for a contender."
The three players currently competing at center are free-agent signings Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn and in-house option Corey Bullock.
When Minter was asked if the Ravens have their starting center on the roster Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings, he replied: "We're excited about a couple of the guys that we've added. We're excited about some of the guys on the roster. We're going to let that sort itself out through competition, all the way into training camp."
