Baltimore Ravens rookies report for the 2024 season on July 15, but #1 pick Mike Green is a no-show amid a contract dispute. Can Lamar Jackson lead the team?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Football is officially back in Baltimore as Ravens rookies reported to training camp on Tuesday, but the excitement was immediately tempered by significant drama. While the team is buzzing with Super Bowl aspirations fueled by massive offseason additions, the non-arrival of first-round pick Mike Green, who is tangled in an 'increasingly ugly' contract dispute, has cast a shadow over the start of camp.
Lamar Jackson is coming off a historic year, becoming the first QB in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for over 800 yards in the same season.
The biggest story on a day meant for fresh starts is the one that hasn't started yet. First-round selection Mike Green failed to report with his fellow rookies due to a contract holdout. Sources describe the negotiations as 'increasingly ugly,' a worrying sign for a player expected to be an immediate contributor. Every practice missed is crucial developmental time lost, and for a team with a closing Super Bowl window, this is a distraction they can't afford. The front office needs to resolve this situation quickly before it sours the start of a promising season.
Despite the rookie drama, the expectations for 2025 are sky-high, and for good reason. The offense is locked and loaded after adding veterans DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry. Lamar Jackson is entering the season after a record-breaking 2024 campaign, and now he has more weapons than ever. The addition of Henry, who defied age with a staggering 1,921-yard, 13-touchdown season at 30, gives Baltimore the most formidable backfield in the league. The burning question is whether the 31-year-old 'King' can sustain that production, but if he can, the Ravens are the undisputed favorites to win the AFC North.
With new talent comes fierce competition. The offensive line is a key battleground, with former high draft pick Ben Cleveland finding himself on the roster bubble. The emergence of Andrew Vorhees as the favorite for the starting left guard spot signals a changing of the guard. On the other side of the ball, Michael Pierce's retirement left a hole, but the team quickly signed veteran John Jenkins and could give undrafted rookie Jayson Jones a real shot to make the team. Even special teams isn't safe, as undrafted kicker John Hoyland is reportedly pushing incumbent Tyler Loop.
As if the existing roster wasn't exciting enough, rumors swirled on Tuesday about another major move by the front office. While details remain under wraps, the speculation points to a significant transaction that could put the Ravens even further over the top. This aggressive, win-now mentality is exactly what fans love to see. Whether it's a trade for another defensive playmaker or a surprise signing, it's clear that Eric DeCosta isn't done building this potential juggernaut.
While the buzz around a potential blockbuster move from the front office keeps the Flock on its toes, the immediate priority is clear: get Mike Green signed and on the field. With veterans arriving on July 22, the clock is ticking. The pieces are in place for a championship run, from a history-making quarterback to legendary new weapons. Now, the work of forging them into a Super Bowl team begins.
