“On paper, this should be a no-excuses year for Baltimore.” Field Yates breaks down how the Ravens’ offseason raised expectations for Lamar Jackson and the squad

“On paper, this should be a no-excuses year for Baltimore.” That’s how ESPN’s Field Yates opened his breakdown of the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 offseason on a recent episode of NFL Live, and that sentiment has echoed throughout league circles. After another season that ended short of the Super Bowl — this time in the AFC Championship Game — the Ravens approached the offseason not with panic, but precision. The result: one of the most balanced, aggressive, and complete roster constructions in franchise history.

According to Yates, all eyes now shift to Lamar Jackson. The reigning two-time MVP is entering his prime with more talent, more continuity, and more pressure than ever before. “This is what quarterbacks dream of,” Yates said. “Continuity on the coaching staff. Speed on the outside. An elite defense. A loaded backfield. Baltimore has given Lamar everything he needs to succeed. The question now is: can they finish?”

The Ravens’ offseason started with a clear mission: build on their identity without getting complacent. After ranking No. 1 in rushing and No. 4 in total defense in 2024, general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh focused on fine-tuning areas of weakness while doubling down on strengths.

One of the most discussed moves — and the one that generated the most buzz — was the signing of veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton. The former Bronco gives Baltimore a big-bodied, reliable target to complement the dynamic Zay Flowers and deep threat Rashod Bateman. Sutton brings physicality and red-zone consistency, something the Ravens sorely lacked down the stretch last season. “Lamar hasn’t had a guy like this,” Yates pointed out. “Sutton’s not just a jump-ball guy. He’s a route technician. He knows how to win on third down. That’s playoff football.”

But the Ravens didn’t stop there. They used their first-round draft pick on Georgia left tackle Amarius Mims, a 6’7”, 340-pound mauler who is expected to step in immediately to protect Jackson’s blindside. That investment sends a clear message: Baltimore is committed to keeping its franchise quarterback upright and lethal. Yates highlighted this move as one of the most underrated draft selections of the year. “He’s raw, sure,” Yates said. “But the upside is enormous. And in a system like Baltimore’s — heavy run, play-action, designed QB runs — Mims can dominate early.”

Equally critical was what the Ravens didn’t lose. Despite fears that Mike Macdonald’s departure would create a defensive void, the team promoted inside linebackers coach Zach Orr to defensive coordinator. It’s a move that preserves scheme continuity and locker room chemistry. Baltimore’s defense — headlined by Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and a newly acquired Jaire Alexander — remains fast, versatile, and mean. The Ravens’ decision to trade for Alexander, the former Green Bay cornerback and Lamar’s old college teammate, adds not just Pro Bowl talent, but swagger and familiarity.

“This might be the best Ravens secondary since the days of Ed Reed and Chris McAlister,” Yates said. “They can play man. They can disguise zone. They can blitz. And when you add a true alpha like Alexander into that room — look out.”

Offensively, the pieces are all there. Lamar is healthy, in sync with offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and surrounded by playmakers. Flowers enters Year 2 with star potential, Mark Andrews is back from injury, and rookie running back Quinshon Judkins — drafted out of Ole Miss — adds explosion and versatility to a backfield that already features the power of Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year deal in March. Henry’s arrival turned heads league-wide, and for good reason. Pairing the bruising All-Pro with Jackson’s quickness and read-option savvy gives Baltimore the most dangerous ground game in the NFL.

“It’s thunder and lightning in every way,” Yates said. “And it’s going to be a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Stack the box and you get beat over the top. Play light and you get bulldozed. Pick your poison.”

Monken’s return as OC might be the most underrated aspect of the offseason. For the first time in Lamar’s career, he enters a second straight season in the same offensive system. That stability should translate to quicker reads, cleaner execution, and more efficiency in the passing game. Jackson has openly praised Monken’s preparation and attention to detail, saying this spring that he feels “more free, more dangerous, and more prepared than ever before.”

And yet, with all these moves comes one unavoidable reality: pressure. The Ravens are no longer a cute AFC contender — they’re expected to win. The fan base has grown impatient after multiple playoff exits with a lead, and the front office has doubled down financially on this core. Yates noted that expectations are now sky-high, and the time for moral victories has passed. “This is the window,” he said. “They’ve paid the quarterback. They’ve built the defense. They’ve brought in weapons. It’s now or never for Baltimore.”

Much of that pressure falls directly on Jackson. He’s already proven he can win MVPs, dominate the regular season, and silence critics. But his postseason resume — still lacking a Super Bowl appearance — remains the missing piece in his legacy. Fair or not, quarterbacks in the NFL are judged in January and February. Yates believes this season is about Jackson taking the final step. “He’s already great,” Yates said. “Now he needs to be legendary. That’s what this year is about.”

It won’t be easy. The AFC remains loaded. The Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, Texans, and Jets (with Aaron Rodgers back) all pose serious threats. Baltimore’s schedule is brutal, including matchups with San Francisco, Miami, and an improved Steelers squad. But the team believes it’s ready — mentally and physically — for the grind.

Leadership inside the locker room is another strength. Veterans like Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Justin Tucker, and Marlon Humphrey have built a culture of accountability. Young stars like Hamilton, Flowers, and Tyler Linderbaum bring hunger and humility. The coaching staff — now stabilized after years of coordinator turnover — is aligned and battle-tested.

“Everyone’s on the same page,” Yates said. “That’s rare in this league. You’ve got a unified front office, coaching staff, and locker room. Now it’s just about execution.”

Baltimore’s front office also deserves credit for managing the cap masterfully. Despite paying Jackson, Smith, Andrews, and several key defenders, they’ve found ways to add contributors without mortgaging the future. The Henry deal was team-friendly. Sutton’s contract includes voidable years. Jaire Alexander restructured upon arrival. This is a team built smart — not just fast.

Field Yates closed his segment with a challenge: “If not now, when? Because on paper, this is a top-three roster. And on film, they’re even scarier. Baltimore’s time is now. No more excuses.”

It’s a sentiment the Ravens seem to have embraced. From Jackson’s intense offseason workouts to Harbaugh’s focus on situational drills in minicamp, everything points toward urgency. The goal isn’t to compete. It’s to finish.

And in Baltimore, where the echoes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed still linger, that kind of talk means everything. The city doesn’t celebrate hollow hype. It craves hardware. And with Lamar leading the charge, surrounded by perhaps the most complete team of his career, the Ravens just might have what it takes.

No excuses. No shortcuts. Just results.