BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens hit the quarterback just 30 times across 17 games last season. Only two teams managed fewer. You could almost feel the freezing January air suck the life out of M&T Bank Stadium every time an opposing quarterback casually scanned the field with all day to throw. Entering the 2026 offseason, the Baltimore Ravens pass rush is the bleeding wound keeping this roster from a deep playoff run.
New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver stepped up to the podium this week and cracked a smile. He isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. The math, however, tells a brutal story. The interior defensive linemen did the heavy lifting last year, while the edge rushers practically vanished. Dre’Mont Jones paced the entire team with a meager five sacks.
Now, Jones and veteran Kyle Van Noy are testing free agency. If both veterans walk, second-year pro Mike Green suddenly becomes the top edge defender in the building. Green flashed raw power and elite bend as a 2025 rookie. Betting a 22-year-old’s inconsistent flashes against veteran AFC North tackles is a massive gamble.
“We certainly have rushers, right? I think it took a hit with losing [Nnamdi] Madubuike… but from a talent standpoint, we certainly have some dudes that can get there… your options are limitless in what you want to do.”
— Anthony Weaver, Ravens Defensive Coordinator
General manager Eric DeCosta needs a home run. Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson represents the ultimate free-agent prize. He instantly commands double teams and completely alters blocking schemes. If Baltimore prefers the trade market, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby brings the exact violent mentality Weaver craves.
Do not rule out Odafe Oweh. The incoming Los Angeles Chargers free agent cut his teeth under new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter and Weaver. A reunion checks every logical box.
If the Ravens miss on the big fish, they will have to burn a first-round draft pick on an edge rusher or empty the checkbook to bring back Jones and Van Noy. Lamar Jackson is playing at an elite level. The front office cannot waste his prime watching rival quarterbacks comfortably pick apart their secondary. Fix the edge, or watch the 2026 playoffs from the couch.
