The 2024 Ravens are loaded. With Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Roquan Smith, is this the most talented squad ever? Super Bowl or bust expectations await.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Even with the NFL season still months away, the buzz in Baltimore is deafening. The consensus from analysts, insiders, and even former players is clear: the 2025 Baltimore Ravens are 'absolutely loaded' and carry the weight of championship-or-bust expectations. With MVP Lamar Jackson at the helm, a new superstar in the backfield, and a defense anchored by elite talent, the question isn't just if they're a contender, but where they rank in the pantheon of all-time great Ravens squads.
The consensus is that the 2025 team is 'Super Bowl or bust,' with a blend of offensive firepower and defensive prowess.
Talk of a 'complete' roster is often hyperbole, but this year it feels earned. The offense, led by Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken (fresh off an extension), now features the formidable Derrick Henry. The defense remains a force, with All-Pros Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton leading a unit with depth at nearly every position. This on-paper dominance has fueled a debate across sports media: is this the most talented team in franchise history? Former Raven Torrey Smith rightfully cautioned fans not to forget the legendary defenses of 2000 and 2012, but even he admitted that a talent like Lamar Jackson gives this modern squad a uniquely explosive edge.
A team this talented deserves the spotlight, and the NFL schedule-makers delivered. The Ravens are slated for four high-stakes primetime matchups, starting with a Week 1 Sunday Night Football clash in Buffalo. They'll also host the Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 3, travel for Thursday Night Football in Miami in Week 9, and face the Bengals on Thanksgiving night. The path is daunting, with five of their first six games against 2024 playoff teams and a trip to Minnesota, where the franchise has never won. This schedule will be an immediate and unforgiving test of their Super Bowl aspirations.
While the team's core is locked in, several key players face uncertain futures. Edge rusher Odafe Oweh, offensive tackle Daniel Faalele, and defensive tackle Travis Jones are all entering contract years, adding a layer of personal urgency to the team's championship chase. Their performance will be critical for both the 2025 season and their long-term prospects in Baltimore. Meanwhile, the biggest question mark on the roster is at kicker, where a heated competition is brewing between sixth-round pick Tyler Loop and undrafted rookie John Hoyland. Special teams coordinator Chris Horton has praised both, indicating this battle is far from over and will be a major storyline heading into training camp.
While player talent gets the headlines, the Ravens have also ensured stability on the sidelines. Head Coach John Harbaugh's leadership is a constant, and the team wisely retained OC Todd Monken. The staff was finalized with the promotion of Willie Taggart to assistant head coach and the addition of former player Anthony Levine as assistant special teams coach. This experienced and cohesive coaching staff is tasked with harnessing the immense talent and navigating the immense pressure that defines the Ravens' 2025 season.
The coaching staff is set, the roster is hailed as one of the franchise's best, and the schedule is laid out. All that's left is the work. As the quiet of late June gives way to the intensity of training camp, every snap, every contract negotiation, and every kick will be scrutinized. The Ravens have built a potential juggernaut; now they have to prove it, starting with a brutal opening stretch that will immediately test their championship mettle.
