Baltimore Ravens open 2024 training camp on July 24 with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry & DeAndre Hopkins. See how the reloaded roster is preparing for a title run.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The air in Owings Mills is electric. The Baltimore Ravens officially kicked off training camp on Thursday, and the vibe is less about rebuilding and more about reloading for a Super Bowl run. With a star-studded roster featuring a potent new offensive trio and a defense dripping with talent, the expectations for 2025 have already shot through the roof. The work has begun to turn all that potential into on-field dominance.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
All offseason, the Flock has been dreaming about the combination of Lamar Jackson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Derrick Henry. Today, that dream started becoming a reality. The trio is the centerpiece of an offense expected to be one of the league's most explosive. Speaking to the media, Henry downplayed any need for a radical overhaul, emphasizing a 'stick to what works' mentality. 'If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,' the King stated, stressing that the focus is on daily improvement and building the chemistry needed to be 'clicking on all cylinders' when the season starts. For the Ravens, 'what works' is a punishing run game, and adding Henry to the mix with Jackson's dynamic ability is a terrifying prospect for opposing defenses.
If the offense is getting the headlines, the defense is quietly being assembled into a potential monster. The secondary, now under the guidance of returning coach Chuck Pagano, boasts an incredible five former first-round picks, including Marlon Humphrey and new arrival Jaire Alexander. Linebacker Roquan Smith spoke about the unit's incredible depth and leadership, a sentiment echoed by veterans Kyle Van Noy and Humphrey. The defensive line is also getting a makeover, with rookie Aeneas Peebles and veteran nose tackle John Jenkins set to clog the middle, while a noticeably bigger Odafe Oweh looks to build on his potential alongside NCAA sack leader Mike Green.
Perhaps the best news of the day was the lack of bad news. The Ravens reported no new injuries as camp opened, a huge win for a team that needs its stars healthy. Key players like Chidobe Awuzie (ankle) and Jaire Alexander (knee) are still considered questionable for Week 1, and their progress will be monitored closely. Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) and Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder) start camp on the PUP and NFI lists, respectively. The only recent roster move was linebacker Jake Hummel being placed on the active/NFI list yesterday, making for a relatively quiet start on the transaction front.
The first day of camp is in the books, and the message is clear: the Ravens aren't just aiming for the playoffs; they're building a roster with championship DNA. While the real tests begin when the pads come on, the initial energy, star power, and focused mindset in Owings Mills suggest the 2025 season could be something special. The journey has just begun, and all eyes will be on how this immense talent gels in the coming weeks.
