Ben Roethlisberger Says Steelers Are Next AFC North Team to Win Super Bowl, Ravens' 'Window Is Closing'
An AFC North team hasn't won the Super Bowl since the Ravens did it 13 years ago. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes Pittsburgh, not Baltimore, is the team most likely to end the drought.
The Ravens have been perennial Super Bowl contenders with Lamar Jackson at quarterback, but Roethlisberger said time is running out for them.
"It depends on who's playing quarterback for the Steelers, but I would still lean towards [them]," Roethlisberger said on the “Deebo & Joe” podcast hosted by his former teammates James Harrison and Joe Haden. "Honestly, I probably would have said Baltimore because of what they have going on there with Lamar and that. But here's what I'm going to say: I think that their window's closed. I should say it's closing."
The oddsmakers disagree, as the Ravens have the highest-projected win total for the upcoming season at 11.5.
The Steelers have had a productive offseason – ESPN’s Ben Solak put them at No. 1 in his free-agency class rankings – but, as Roethlisberger eluded, their quarterback situation is unsettled, as they wait for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he's going to play in 2026.
Trey Hendrickson Says He Was Excited About Becoming Teammates With Maxx Crosby in Baltimore
When the Ravens signed Trey Hendrickson after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, General Manager Eric DeCosta said the plan had been to acquire them both.
Hendrickson said he was thrilled about the possibility of forming what would have been the most feared pass-rushing duo in the league.
"I was looking forward to rushing with him," Hendrickson said on former NFL offensive tackle Terron Armstead's “The Set” podcast. "Like what an incredible opportunity that would have been to have bookends like that terrorizing quarterbacks, getting running backs to the ground. That's what got me excited. … That's what I thought was happening."
While he won't get to team up with fellow All-Pro Crosby, Hendrickson said he is eager to work with and mentor young players such as second-year outside linebacker Mike Green.
"It's a fun time to give this knowledge that I've been given through so many great players to help mold guys like Mike Green into the best version of himself," Hendrickson said. "That's what excites me about being a veteran in this league."
John Harbaugh Says Last Season Might Have Been Best Job He and Coaching Staff Had Ever Done
Despite the Ravens having a losing record for just the second time in 18 seasons under John Harbaugh last year, the new New York Giants head coach said it was arguably the best job he and his staff had ever done.
"I took a lot of pride in what we did," Harbaugh said on the “Pardon My Take” podcast. "I took a lot of pride in this season. Honestly, as a coaching staff, it might've been our best job this year coaching this team. I thought we did a great job. But it wasn't good enough in terms of getting us where we needed to get, for whatever reason."
The Ravens parted ways with Harbaugh after a season that began with them as Super Bowl favorites ended with an 8-9 record. The offense regressed from the previous season, largely due to Jackson missing four games and battling injuries, as did the defense, which was also hampered by injuries.
Harbaugh was asked if he planned to change his coaching style with the Giants.
"I don't know if it's new, but I hope it's better," Harbaugh said. "It's along the same lines, probably, but better. You do have a chance to kind of sit back and say, 'OK, I can start fresh.' I'm not dealing with things that maybe I was dealing with before. Everything is going to be a clean slate for everybody."
Ravens Get Isaiah Likely, Tyler Linderbaum Replacements in Mock Draft
ESPN’s Matt Miller conducted a seven-round mock draft. Here's a look at his first selections for the Ravens, who have 11 picks overall:
Round 1 (No. 14): Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
"Giving Lamar Jackson the fastest tight end to ever test at the combine seems like a good idea, especially with Isaiah Likely departing in free agency and Mark Andrews entering his age-31 season. Besides his 4.39 speed, Sadiq is an elite red zone threat who had eight touchdowns in 2025. His effort and upside in the run game as a blocker makes him a true blue-chip tight end prospect for a team that badly needs another threat in the passing game."
Round 2 (No. 45): Miami CB Keionte Scott
"The Ravens need an outside corner opposite Nate Wiggins but could also use an upgrade in the slot. Scott is one of the best slot corners to come out of college in some time. He's feisty in coverage but provides an even bigger bonus as a blitzer and in run defense. Scott is an all-around playmaker, with two interceptions and five sacks last season."
Round 3 (No. 80): Kansas State C Sam Hecht
"Tyler Linderbaum left via free agency, creating a gigantic hole in the middle of the offensive line that the draft's top center prospect can fill."
