Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The 2023 Baltimore Ravens look to improve upon their somewhat successful yet lackluster 2022 season. They will attempt to get there with a hopefully healthy and newly re-signed Lamar Jackson, along with new offensive playmakers like Odell Beckham Jr., acquired through free agency, and Zay Flowers, who was taken 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The State of the Baltimore Ravens
With moves like that, the Ravens are sure to compete for the AFC North Crown in 2023 against powerhouses, the like of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Deshown Waston and the Cleveland Browns.
The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2022 season in second place in the AFC North with a 10-7 record, made the playoffs that season, but were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round to Joe Burrow and the Bengals in a 17-24 loss. Oddly enough, the Ravens and Bengals both squared off in the final regular season game, where the Bengals won 27-16.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. – Steve Ruark/AP
The Ravens signed OBJ on April 9, which was a sign that Lamar Jackson would stay with the franchise after talks and rumors about Jackson being unhappy with the Ravens were released to the public.
OBJ brings a vast wide receiver experience to a roster that has lacked a big-name wide receiver since the team had former Carolina Panther star Steve Smith Sr. OBJ and tight end Mark Andrews will make a great duo on the field catching passes from Lamar Jackson.
One notable red flag: OBJ wasn’t signed by any team in the 2022 season due to his second ACL injury while with the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals. OBJ would score the first touchdown of that game.
Rumors swirled around about OBJ signing with the Dallas Cowboys, but that never came to fruition. The Raven’s signing OBJ, while he didn’t see any action, mirrors the New York Jets signing Le’Veon Bell after he infamously sat out the 2018 season. Bell sat out that season to score a new contract from the Pittsburgh Steelers and not have a franchise tag. When that failed to materialize, he wanted out of the Steel City.
What makes the Ravens’ move a lot more advantageous than the Jets signing Bell is OBJ heading to a potential championship offense with a franchise MVP quarterback rather than the Jets franchise that had too many question marks in 2019 when Adam Gase was at the helm as head coach. On top of that, OBJ has recovered from his infamous ACL injury from Super Bowl LVI, making him fresh and ready to go for the 2023 season.
Jackson re-signed with the Ravens on April 28 with a five-year $260 million deal and a $185 million guarantee.
During the first week of OTA’s (Organized Team Activities), Jackson was kept out of 11-on-11 action due to head coach John Harbaugh wanting him to get familiar with the playbook.
Jackson does have the desire to pass the ball more this upcoming season with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken at the helm of the offense. Monken is fresh off the 2022 Georgia Bulldogs National Championship as he replaced Greg Roman.
Over the years, the Ravens have relied on a strong running game, and the average lifespan of NFL running backs typically lasts up to four to five years. They have reliable running backs like J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards helping out on the ground as the team is hoping for a change in pace this upcoming season with more pass catchers on the roster.
The Ravens have OBJ, newly drafted rookie Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman (who should be healthy after having season-ending foot surgery), and veteran wideout Nelson Agholor, who previously spent two seasons with the New England Patriots and was a part of winning Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2017.
Yet despite signing more deep-threat weapons, the Ravens have never had a wide receiver on their roster make it to the Pro Bowl in franchise history.
Mark Andrews made it to three Pro Bowls so far in his career with the Ravens, but he isn’t a wide receiver; he’s a tight end.
With the new additions, Ravens fans should be in for a treat, and a cup full of hope, to reclaim the AFC North Crown this upcoming season. It’s never easy in the division with the Cincinnati Bengals continuously getting better, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ intense rivalry, and the Cleveland Browns making their fair share of noise.
