The Baltimore Ravens are sufficient from top to bottom. It’s imperative they spend the cap space they have on their current playmakers.
From their two-time MVP quarterback to late-round depth draft pieces, the Baltimore Ravens’ roster is arguably the best in franchise history, and among the NFL’s elite for the 2025 season.
FOX45’s A.J. Gersh argues it’s the best in franchise history. Russell Street Report’s Jared Pinder expressed the same. PFF’s Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick ranked the Ravens’ roster No. 1 in the AFC and No. 2 overall. Because of this, the Ravens should prioritize their currently rostered players with the cap space they possess.
Following the June 1 designations, the Ravens have anywhere between $18.48-$18.95 million in cap space. Though the eye-candy of bringing in another offensive lineman or the gossip of cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s availability is enticing, the Ravens have their own to secure.
Once more, General Manager Eric DeCosta will be sitting across from Jackson negotiating a deal. Last time, it took over two years. It was ugly. The Ravens gave a formal announcement that the two sides couldn’t get a deal done before the 2022 season. Jackson publicly announced a trade request moments before Head Coach John Harbaugh sat down for his press appearance at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting in March 2023. One month later, a five-year deal was struck.
Jackson has three years remaining on his deal. And after this season, his cap hit skyrockets from $43.5 million to $74.5 million, taking up more than 24% of the team’s total cap the next two years. An extension will be critical to alleviate the any financial burden.
Along with Jackson, the Ravens need to re-sign center Tyler Linderbaum. The team (wisely) did not exercise his fifth-year option, which would have been $5 million higher than the current highest-paid center. But that speeds up the timeline of needing to keep him long term.
While they have an extra year for safety Kyle Hamilton, appeasing him with a long-term extension is in the best interest of both parties. Hamilton is the league’s best safety. The Ravens’ want to keep such a player. If they can secure a deal for Linderbaum this season or next, paired with a (hopeful) deal done with Jackson, it gives them a superior understanding of their books for Hamilton when his payday comes due.
These three are the most important, no doubt. But there are many more waiting in the wings. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. He’s beefed up dramatically this offseason, reportedly adding 20 pounds. They must make a decision on which of their tight ends to retain between Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Their All-Pro fullback, Patrick Ricard, also becomes a free agent next season.
Moreover, rewarding wide receiver Rashod Bateman isn’t out of the realm of possibility. After he suffered the consequences of missing the beginning of training camp in 2024 — which lost him an accrued season, thus removing him from fifth-year option eligibility — Bateman re-signed a team-friendly two-year, $12.87 million contract. After doing so, he produced a career year: 45 receptions, 756 yards and nine touchdowns. In the playoffs, he excelled with six receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
There’s a long time between now and the regular season. And some of these deals don’t reach critical importance until next offseason, but the longer teams wait to pay, the higher the price. Focusing on the current roster, rather than adding new players, is priority.