Mink: Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is keenly aware of his players' desire to get the ball. He isn't the one throwing or handing it off, but Monken tries to spread the action around and make everyone feel they are a part of the game plan. With that said, there's only one ball, and there are more weapons than the Ravens have ever had, so it's a good challenge.
"I'd rather have too much talent, try to figure out how to manage it and how to have everybody embrace their role than not have enough [talent]," Monken said this summer.
The answer is to get more snaps. More snaps mean more opportunities for individual players. More snaps also mean more first downs, more points, and more wins. The Ravens had the second-most offensive snaps in the league last year (1,059), only trailing the Buffalo Bills (1,080). The Ravens' offense will aim to be even more efficient so everyone feels like they got a big enough slice of the pie.
The Ravens' deep arsenal of weapons means they have even more ways to exploit opponents. They can create more mismatches and lean on different aspects of their offense based on their foes' weaknesses. It could vary week-to-week or even drive-to-drive.
With DeAndre Hopkins now in the mix, the Ravens could use more three wide receiver formations than last year to spread opponents out. However, Baltimore's use of "12" personnel (one running back, two tight ends) was highly effective, so I doubt Monken strays too far from that. The Ravens can go "heavy" and bludgeon opponents with the running game or spread them out and try to hit big plays. Everyone will have to understand that their workload will fluctuate.
Brown: Many people are asking whether Lamar Jackson can be any better than he was during his remarkable 2024 season. I believe he can.
Certainly, it's going to be difficult. Jackson surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the first time and became the first player to throw more than 40 touchdown passes (41) with fewer than five interceptions (four). From Weeks 3 through 10, when the Ravens went 7-1, Jackson had 22 touchdown passes while throwing just one pick. It's impossible to play the position much better than that.
However, it's not insane to think Jackson could have a better season in 2025. He's only 28 years old, very much in his prime. He cares deeply about winning. He's putting in the work, not resting on his laurels. He has already spoken about becoming an even more vocal leader and having more bonding experiences with teammates off the field.
This will be Jackson's third season directing Monken's system. He's never had more command, control, and familiarity with an offense. He's also never had more weapons, with the addition of Hopkins to an already stacked group of playmakers. Meanwhile, there are fewer questions to answer on the offensive line. Roger Rosengarten and Daniel Faalele have a year as starters under their belts, and Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum are coming off Pro Bowl seasons. The running back room is loaded, led by future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.
If Jackson plays at least 15 games, I expect him to pass for more than 4,000 yards again, to toss at least 35 touchdown passes, to throw no more than six interceptions, and to be in the MVP running as usual. If all that happens, and the Ravens win the Super Bowl? I'd call that Jackson's best season, regardless of his final statistics.
Mink: The practice jersey patches have been around for quite a long time under Head Coach John Harbaugh. The arm holding the hammer marks a player's participation in the voluntary strength and conditioning program. The red A's are for the AFC and represent how many times that player has helped the Ravens win the AFC North division title. The sword shows how many times that player has been to the playoffs with the organization.
Brown: I think it's much too early to hit the panic button, especially considering that Green participated in rookie camp and mandatory minicamp. Coaches and teammates have been impressed with his athleticism and attitude.
We'll find out more about Green's potential as a rookie impact pass rusher once he joins training camp and puts on the pads. If being unsigned at the start of training camp results in him missing more than a week of practice, then I'd begin to worry about the possibility of him falling behind.
