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The Baltimore Ravens need to focus on the trenches this offseason

By Andrew Kim

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 02: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on January 02, 2022, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 02: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on January 02, 2022, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Offseason

The Baltimore Ravens had their work cut out for them in general and it was just not their year this past season. Finishing last in the AFC North in the way the Ravens did, at 8 wins and tied with the Cleveland Browns, is amazing with how competitive the division was this year. The Browns also dealt with some key injuries to starters, as Baker Mayfield suffered through a few most of the season and played through it, despite not having the outcome to the season they wanted.

An ascending Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, currently, are one more playoff win away from a Super Bowl. Even with an aging Ben Roethlisberger, who recently retired, the Pittsburgh Steelers themselves did enough to earn a wild card berth, even if it was a short stint at that.

With Don Martindale fired, in comes Mike Macdonald, who is now currently the youngest defensive coordinator (age 34). He has had experience with the Ravens (7 seasons) and comes over to Baltimore from Michigan as their former defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh.

Baltimore should be able to bounce back in 2022, as 2021 can be seen as more of an outlier with John Harbaugh’s record (148-96) as the head coach of the Ravens.

The whole defensive unit will need to be retooled with more playmakers this offseason and hopefully, Macdonald is the right guy to get them back to form. However, Lamar Jackson getting better pass protection is crucial to avoid what happened this past season.

Other than the huge looming contract coming for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, these are some things that need to be covered this offseason if they want to be a contending playoff team again in 2022.

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