The Baltimore Ravens feel broken.
Writing this as a Baltimore fan my whole life, I have many more questions about this franchise then answers.
Sunday night’s playoff loss was devastating. Losing on 98 yard fumble recovery is demoralizing, especially after no one gave the Ravens any chance to win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
This loss stings.
What makes it even harder to process is the questions that are upcoming this offseason. As a fan there is so much uncertainty.
During my time as a Ravens fan it's safe to say I've been spoiled. The first season I truly remember being very devoted to was when I was seven, the 2008 season. Since then, the Ravens have missed the playoffs five times, winning 11 games and bringing home a Super Bowl ring. It may not compare to the New England Patriots run but it's definitely among the league's best.
The fans and every single person in the organization expect the team to be great, but they have been far from it recently.
Since 2015 the Ravens have only won one playoff game. That's not the standard the organization lives up to.
In 2018, Lamar Jackson brought a spark to the franchise and the fan base. After attendance was declining and morale was low for fans, Lamar Jackson brought something different.
It was refreshing.
During the previous years it had felt that the Ravens kept doing the same thing, but expected different results. The offense felt stagnant under the later years of the Flacco era, and the defense wasn't good enough.
2019 was one of the best regular seasons a fan could ask for. It was the most fun I've had watching football and it looked like the players felt the same. Everyone felt on top of the world, but it came crashing down against the Tennessee Titans.
Since then it feels as if the organization, players and fans have held a chip on their shoulder, (one we do not deserve). No one has seemed to reach the level of happiness they achieved during the 2019 season. There seems to be a feeling that if we don't blow out an opponent, then the game wasn't a good result.
The 2019 season has ruined the franchise.
It's hard to win in the NFL, any win should be applauded. I'm guilty of this too, not being nearly as happy after wins as I should be, sometimes feeling like I have to find areas where the team has to improve and get better. This isn't college football, this is the NFL. A win is a win, no matter how it happens.
It has also been so exhausting trying to defend Lamar Jackson. Whether it was defending that he can be an NFL QB, his playoff record, a high paying contract or if he is injury prone.
It's absolutely exhausting.
The contract negotiations for Lamar Jackson have been a distraction. And at this point I’m almost over it.
I love Lamar. I went to his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals and watched him win our first division title since 2012 that same season.
I defended Lamar the whole time, saying he could learn to be a better passer, and he did.
What Lamar Jackson did for the City of Baltimore, the franchise and the fans cannot be understated. He brought passion back to the city, and put a spotlight back on Baltimore in a good way.
This season has been blurred by his contract negotiations and got more complicated when he got injured in early December.
Our team has been centered around Lamar, so him not being able to play is a gut punch.
This season has been one to remember, but not my favorite as a fan. After failing to secure a 21-point fourth quarter lead against the Dolphins early in the season, I was upset but it wasn't the worst feeling. I knew the playoffs were the goal, so a loss in week two was okay. But looking back on it I’m not sure this team galvanized my fandom this year.
Now Ravens fans are taught to care about the playoffs. Yes, that is important and ultimately shows you are probably an above average team.
The season is long, so we should care more about the regular season. As Scott Van Pelt has said “enjoy the moments” and I am guilty of not doing so during Ravens games the past few years, and I think some of the players may have the same issue.
I love Lamar, but now this franchise needs a jolt. The team needs something fresh. Thinking about the team not having Lamar is hard, we watched him grow since he was drafted.
There are now real questions whether Lamar will play again for the Ravens.
It's been almost criminal what the Ravens have done with Lamar Jackson in terms of his WR’s. Not giving Lamar playmakers to advance the passing game has made his job more difficult.
In fairness to the Ravens, they completely bought into Lamar and gave him a chance. They have invested in the run game and completely changed their offense with him.
By both sides not reaching a deal prior to the season, the distraction would continue through the season. Both sides can take some faults.
Lamar Jackson will get his money, rather it's from the Ravens or another team.
He deserves it.
He may deserve it but I'm conflicted whether that should be from the Ravens.
On one hand I love Lamar, and a QB of that talent is hard to let go. Selfishly, it's fun watching Lamar Jackson play football and watching him leave an organization that he put so much love into would be hard to watch.
On the other hand, I just want this era to end. As one fan told me the other night, “the experiment is over”.
It recently came to more light that Lamar Jackson isn't as driven as some might hope for a franchise QB to be. People have questioned his rehab process this year, (something that some teammates have defended him for). But, it does seem that some teammates are fed up with him. It appeared Sammy Watkins was one of them but he has since walked those comments back.
Although, when Lamar was hurt at the end of the 2021 season, his rehab process may have lacked effort. There is also a report where people say he struggles with his diet and has a hard time being focused in meetings.
This is also combined with now having two season ending injuries (yes, I know the injuries happened in the passing pocket). Now there are some real injury concerns about him. If you are going to pay a franchise QB, you want them on the field.
Hearing teammates support him after the season ended is encouraging and does provide more reason to want Lamar back next season. But, after the loss on Sunday night, maybe it's time to start a new era in Baltimore.
Here is a proposal of what the Baltimore Ravens can do if they move on from Lamar Jackson.
1. Resign Tyler Huntley
Resigning Tyler Huntley does not mean he will be your starting QB in 2023. It just gives you a solid backup that has been forced to start a number of games over the past two seasons. At the worst you know Tyler Huntley can run an NFL offense for the team next season.
2. Draft Bryce Young (if you fall in love with him)
If the Baltimore Ravens move on from Lamar Jackson they will most likely receive draft capital that they can in turn use to draft a QB. I’m a bit hesitant on Bryce Young, I think he was a very good college QB. I'm a bit worried about his lack of size, and how good Alabama can be. We have seen other Alabama QB’s struggle when they get to the NFL. Unlike Alabama having 5 star receivers everywhere, the NFL receivers will be covered forcing tighter passing windows. That being said this past season Young didn't have as strong a receiving group and still performed well.
3. Sign Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo
The Defense is ready to win now and these two QB’s can bridge the organization to their next QB. Tom Brady could be a perfect fit. After getting embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys Monday night it feels like he may come back for another season. The Ravens have everything Brady is looking for.
A stacked defense
A great run game
The greatest kicker of all time
Brady wants to win a Super Bowl wherever he chooses to go. Looking at his options, the teams may include the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49er’s. This scenario also gives you the option to draft a guy like Bryce Young and let him sit for a year or two. Or if you don't like the QB’s in this draft you can delay finding a replacement QB.
This same formula can work for Jimmy Garoppolo too. He wouldn't be a long term answer but he would give you a chance to win a title.
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