The Ravens' season is over, but the decision-making is just beginning.
After parting ways with John Harbaugh, the Ravens embark on an offseason as intriguing as any they've had during their 30-year history.
What's next for an organization known for success and stability, after an 8-9 season in which Baltimore failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021?
Here are five huge questions facing the Ravens:
Who will be the next head coach?
Especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, this is the supersize question.
"Our goal has always been and will always be to win Championships," Owner Steve Bisciotti said in his statement after the decision to part ways with Harbaugh.
The next coach will be expected to win next season. No rebuilding project. Win now and hopefully win big.
Media reports indicate that the Ravens will conduct a wide-ranging search. They have the most attractive opening, which should give them an advantage. It doesn't really matter how long the process takes. What matters is picking the right coach to lead the Ravens back into the postseason.
Other teams have done it. Six of the 14 teams that made the playoffs have coaches in either their first or second year on the job. Four of them are first-time head coaches.
Maybe the Ravens will pick a coach who's been at the head of the table before. Maybe they'll take one with an unproven track record. They did that with Harbaugh, who had never been a head coach or coordinator before becoming the winningest coach in franchise history. Harbaugh took the Ravens to the playoffs each of his first five seasons, culminating in a Super Bowl victory.
The résumé won't matter as much as the results. It's the biggest decision the Ravens have faced in years, and if they get it right, the reboot with a new coach could fuel their resurgence.
How will the Ravens help Lamar Jackson get back to MVP form and make their offense more consistent?
In 2024, the Ravens had the NFL's top-ranked offense and became the first team in league history with more than 4,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing. Their offense was explosive, diverse, and balanced. Lamar Jackson came close to winning his third MVP award and had his best season statistically, throwing for a career-high 4,172 yards passing and 41 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
The Ravens entered Year 3 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken in 2025, expecting to have one of the league's elite offenses again. They returned basically the same nucleus with the addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, the Ravens fell to No. 16 in total offense in 2025 and tumbled to 27th in passing offense.
An offseason makeover could be forthcoming on the offensive line. Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum is a pending free agent, and if he departs, that will leave another hole to address. They could also upgrade at guard.
Zay Flowers had his second-straight Pro Bowl year. Derrick Henry lost some crucial fumbles, but he also rushed for 1,595 yards, the second-highest of his illustrious career. With Jackson, Henry, Flowers, and Mark Andrews, the Ravens have a strong offensive core returning.
But getting Jackson playing back consistently at an MVP level is paramount. Jackson can still be spectacular, as he showed in the fourth quarter of the Week 18 loss in Pittsburgh. Health is a major factor after Jackson was banged up for much of the year. The Ravens have unique weapons but need more offensive consistency, particularly in the passing game, to insure themselves a playoff spot in 2026.
Can the Ravens strengthen their pass rush?
The Ravens ranked 28th in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN analytics. They dropped from 54 sacks in 2024, which was second in the league, to 30 sacks in 2025, which tied for 28th.
Quarterbacks simply had too much time to probe Baltimore's defense. Aaron Rodgers had his two most productive passing games of the season against Baltimore in Week 14 (284 yards) and Week 18 (294 yards), and was sacked two times total. Josh Allen passed for 394 yards against Baltimore in Week 1 and was sacked once. Jared Goff wasn't sacked in Week 3 when the Detroit Lions put up 38 points in a victory over Baltimore.
The lack of a pass rush placed even more pressure on the secondary to cover well for extended periods. Getting off the field on third down became even more difficult for the defense, even after forcing opponents into obvious passing situations.
Becoming a team that harasses the opposing quarterback more often is a top priority for 2026. Expect schematic changes and personnel changes to improve their pass rush, especially with a new head coach taking over.
Which players won't be re-signed and how will the salary cap be managed with Jackson's contract?
The Ravens have a host of important pending free agents. The list includes Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele, six-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, outside linebackers Dre'Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, safeties Alohi Gilman and Ar'Darius Washington, Pro Bowl punter Jordan Stout, running back Keaton Mitchell (restricted free agent), and Hopkins.
All of them have uncertain futures with Baltimore, and so do some veteran players under contract like cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who addressed his situation after the Pittsburgh loss.
Jackson's contract will count a reported $74.5 million against the salary cap next season, according to Spotrac. Whether or not the Ravens re-work Jackson's deal will impact what other moves they're able to make.
How will the Ravens approach their strategy for the draft and free agency?
The Ravens have the 14th overall pick, their highest position since 2022 when they used the 14th pick to pick All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens knocked it out of the park with that pick by General Manager Eric DeCosta, who currently has 10 picks to work with in April’s draft.
Another strong draft by the Ravens could help vault them back among the league's elite, regardless of what happens during free agency. The draft has always been the backbone of the Ravens' roster-building process. What better offseason than the present one to help whoever the next coach is with a strong draft class to work with?
