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The Baltimore Ravens are charging at 2025 with intent, purpose, and a roster that’s quietly deeper and more dangerous than most expect. They have Lamar Jackson still leading the way and a retooled supporting cast around him. The Ravens’ minicamp gave us an early window into a team with championship aspirations and real urgency. From offensive wrinkles and defensive surprises to the looming cloud of contract uncertainty, there’s no shortage of buzz coming out of Owings Mills.
Quiet Confidence, Smart Additions
Bringing back Ronnie Stanley in free agency was the Ravens' top priority. They did just that, keeping their foundational left tackle in the fold. Stanley’s presence continues to be a stabilizing force for Jackson and a run game that will once again feature the bruising Derrick Henry.
General Manager Eric DeCosta followed that up with one of the more underappreciated drafts in the league. He landed impact or rotational talent across all three days. The team passed on making any splashy wide receiver moves. Instead, they took a low-risk gamble on DeAndre Hopkins. They are banking on one last productive year from the former All-Pro. It’s a calculated risk given the inconsistency in the receiving corps. If the Ravens are going to finally get over the hump and into a Super Bowl, they'll need their bets—new and old—to pay off.
Here we'll try to look at the three hottest takeaways that are coming out of the Baltimore Ravens' 2025 minicamp.
1. Charged-Up Offense
There’s a different energy to this Ravens offense—and it’s not just the presence of Henry in the backfield. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken appears ready to open up his playbook in 2025. Minicamp gave us glimpses of a system that looks far less rigid and more multidimensional.
The Ravens showed waggles, throwback screens, rollouts, and straight drop-backs. They moved Henry around creatively and unleashed Keaton Mitchell’s speed in the flat and on quick hitters. Over the middle, tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely were consistently targeted. Likely made the most of his long-ball opportunities. It’s a sign that Monken wants to stress defenses vertically and horizontally. That's something Ravens fans have been begging for since Jackson’s MVP year.
The receiving corps, often criticized as Jackson’s Achilles heel, may be turning a corner. Zay Flowers continues to be the alpha, but Bateman has looked steady. Tylan Wallace is also flashing. Still, the breakout buzz belongs to second-year wideout Devontez Walker. The 2024 fourth-rounder from North Carolina looks more polished in his route running, creating separation with fluid footwork and sharper breaks. If Walker continues to ascend, the Ravens may finally have the trio they've needed to fully unlock Jackson’s arm talent.
2. Diamonds in the D-Line
Sure, much of the focus in Baltimore is understandably on the offense. However, the defense is brewing up some surprises of its own. Chief among them: rookie defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles. He is making an early case to be the steal of the Ravens’ draft class.
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At 6'0, 289 pounds, Peebles won’t scare anyone with size. That said, it’s his technical skill and burst that stand out. He gets off the ball fast, slips past guards, and seems tailor-made to wreck slower-developing plays like counters and traps. The sixth-rounder out of Virginia Tech is earning reps by the day. If his trajectory holds, don’t be surprised if he finds a role in pass-rush sub-packages this fall.
Elsewhere on the line, there’s a sense of refinement underway. Second-year player CJ Ravenell has tools but tends to play too high. Veteran John Jenkins, meanwhile, is setting the tone in the trenches. His attention to detail is rubbing off on the younger linemen. Jenkins isn’t mistake-free, but his work ethic and leadership have made him invaluable during camp. Baltimore’s defensive identity often begins up front. This year’s group could quietly be one of the deepest in the AFC.
3. Stellar Arm, Stubborn Habits
Jackson’s first action in two weeks reminded everyone why he’s still the most electric dual-threat quarterback in the league. His short and intermediate throws were sharp, particularly to the outside—an area where he’s historically struggled. He even dialed in some 12-to-15-yard lasers with height and placement that turned heads.
But the elephant in the room isn’t his arm—it’s his availability and commitment. Once again, Jackson was allowed to miss practices in the middle of the week and avoided early morning sessions, a setup the team has quietly maintained over the years to cater to its star. But with contract extension talks looming, one can’t help but wonder if the Ravens should start demanding more from their leader.
What would happen if Baltimore stopped pampering Jackson? Would the structure and accountability help him reach another gear? Or would it strain a relationship already marked by complex negotiations and postseason frustrations? Recall that Jackson is just 3–5 in the playoffs. Yes, much of that isn’t on him. Still, the time has come for the Ravens to figure out how to maximize the final years of his prime.
Super Bowl or Bust Vibes
The 2025 Baltimore Ravens aren’t sneaking up on anyone. They’ve got a loaded roster, a top-tier defense, and an offense with new wrinkles and familiar stars. If minicamp is any indication, this is a team ready to chase something bigger than just an AFC North title. They’re chasing legacy. And with Jackson at the center of it all, the Ravens have no choice but to push every chip to the middle of the table.
