The Ravens face a critical, Odafe Oweh-sized decision this offseason that could shape their defensive future significantly

As the Baltimore Ravens enter a pivotal 2025 offseason, one name looms larger than most on their defensive roster: Odafe Oweh. The edge rusher, now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, stands at a critical juncture—both for his career and for the Ravens’ defensive blueprint moving forward. Whether the front office chooses to extend him, let him play out his fifth-year option, or explore trade possibilities, this decision has the potential to shape the unit’s future for years.

Drafted 31st overall in 2021, Oweh came into the NFL as a raw but freakishly athletic pass-rusher with high upside and limited production in college. Four years later, he remains an enigma of potential and frustration—a player capable of dominance, yet still seeking consistency. The Ravens must now determine whether he’s a foundational pillar or a tantalizing trade chip in a league always thirsty for edge talent.

A Career of Peaks, Valleys, and Flashes

Oweh’s career arc is anything but linear. In his rookie year, he burst onto the scene with early impact—posting three sacks in the first five games and flashing the burst that had scouts drooling at his Penn State Pro Day. But injuries hampered the second half of his rookie campaign, and 2022 was largely a disappointment: three sacks over 17 games and long stretches of invisibility on the field.

Then came 2023. Oweh seemed more comfortable in defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s evolving system. His pressures increased, and his situational awareness improved, but the sack numbers still lagged behind expectations. Heading into 2024, he had much to prove.

That’s when the breakout finally happened.

In 2024, Oweh notched a career-best 10 sacks, good for second on the team and top-20 in the league. He also recorded 19 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and showed significant strides in run defense. His improved hand usage and counter moves helped him win more consistently off the edge, and he finally turned pressures into finishes—something he’d struggled with previously.

But was it a breakout… or an outlier?

The Fifth-Year Option: A Calculated Commitment

In April 2024, the Ravens opted to exercise Oweh’s fifth-year option, locking in a $13.251 million salary for the 2025 season. The move signaled belief in his growth and a desire to see more—but stopped short of offering a long-term extension.

This was a prudent decision. The cap hit, while not insignificant, ranks outside the top 20 for edge rushers and is far below elite-level paydays. It gives Baltimore flexibility: they can now evaluate Oweh’s 2025 season before deciding whether to commit to a long-term deal.

But with every passing week, the stakes of that decision grow higher.

Baltimore’s Defensive Philosophy: Built on Pressure

Historically, the Ravens have thrived on disruptive, multi-dimensional defenses. From Terrell Suggs to Matt Judon to Za’Darius Smith, Baltimore has built its reputation on pass rushers who can change games.

In 2024, the Ravens led the league in sacks, but the heavy lifting was done by veterans like Kyle Van Noy (12.5 sacks) and Justin Madubuike (13 sacks). Van Noy, at age 34, may not return. Jadeveon Clowney is also a free agent. That leaves Oweh as one of the few proven edge rushers under contract for 2025.

Add to that the drafting of Mike Green, a second-round pass rusher from Georgia with explosive traits but unrefined technique. The Ravens are clearly trying to insulate themselves from the uncertainty surrounding Oweh. But no rookie can guarantee double-digit sack production out of the gate.

If Baltimore believes Oweh is finally ascending into the player they envisioned in 2021, now is the time to bet on him. Waiting could mean paying a premium next offseason—or losing him entirely.

Option 1: Extend Him Now

There’s a strong argument to be made for negotiating a contract extension this offseason.

If Oweh is truly turning the corner, locking him in now—before the market balloons—could prove cost-effective. The edge rusher market continues to spike, with players like Montez Sweat and Josh Allen (the Jaguars one) commanding massive extensions. Oweh, by comparison, might come at a relative discount if the Ravens negotiate early.

A four-year extension worth $60–70 million, with injury protections and incentives tied to sack production, could strike a balance between risk and reward. The Ravens would maintain cap flexibility and secure a known commodity—critical for a franchise constantly retooling on defense.

But there are red flags: his injury history, inconsistent production, and the fact that 2024 is his only season with more than five sacks. Is that worth multi-year guaranteed money?

Option 2: Let Him Play It Out

The more conservative route is to ride out 2025 on the fifth-year option. This gives Baltimore a full season to evaluate whether Oweh’s 2024 performance was sustainable.

This approach allows the team to avoid overpaying for a potentially fluky year. If he regresses, they can walk away without long-term cap implications. If he performs again at a high level, they can franchise tag him, explore a new extension, or even consider a tag-and-trade scenario.

But this option has drawbacks too. If Oweh explodes for 12–15 sacks, he’ll be in line for a massive payday—and the Ravens may not be the highest bidder. Baltimore has cap constraints looming with contracts for Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton, and others. Letting Oweh’s price soar could put him out of reach.

Option 3: Trade Him Now

The boldest option—trading Oweh—would signal the Ravens believe his value is peaking.

Edge rushers are always in demand, especially ones with elite traits and first-round pedigrees. Teams like the Bears, Falcons, or Texans could pay handsomely for a 10-sack defender with untapped upside.

A trade could net Baltimore a second- or third-round pick, possibly more if a bidding war ensues. That capital could be reinvested into the draft or used to shore up other holes, like wide receiver or cornerback.

But trading Oweh would also leave the Ravens perilously thin at edge. Outside of Mike Green and depth players like David Ojabo (who has battled injuries), the cupboard is bare. Unless Baltimore brings in another veteran, the pass rush could suffer significantly.

It would be a short-term sacrifice for long-term gain—but it risks destabilizing one of the league’s best defenses.

The Ravens’ Timeline: Now vs. Later

The Ravens are in a Super Bowl window. Lamar Jackson is in his prime. The defense is elite. Head coach John Harbaugh has the experience to guide this team deep into January.

In that context, the decision on Oweh must balance short-term impact with long-term cost. Can they afford to let go of a young, ascending pass rusher when the window is wide open?

Yet, can they afford to tie up cap space in a player who has only just shown glimpses of consistency?

These are the competing pressures that define great front offices. Eric DeCosta and company have a track record of making shrewd bets—signing Roquan Smith midseason, drafting Kyle Hamilton, letting Judon walk but replacing him with younger talent.

How they handle Oweh could define the next chapter of that legacy.

What Would Suggs Do?

Odafe Oweh’s name will never carry the legacy of Terrell Suggs—but he doesn’t need to. He simply needs to become a consistently disruptive force in a league that thrives on quarterback pressure.

Oweh is a rare athlete, and 2024 showed what happens when his tools are fully unlocked. If the Ravens believe that version is here to stay, they should act accordingly—because if they don’t, someone else will.

Odafe Oweh represents the kind of high-ceiling talent that every franchise hopes to develop. The Ravens have brought him along slowly, investing in his growth, navigating injuries, and adapting their scheme to maximize his gifts.

Now, the bill is coming due. Extend, delay, or trade—each path carries risk. But the one thing Baltimore can’t afford is indecision.

In an AFC stacked with elite quarterbacks and explosive offenses, edge pressure is more valuable than ever. The Ravens must decide whether Odafe Oweh is the future of their pass rush—or merely a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.