The Ravens made plenty of noise this offseason, but the biggest question mark still sits right in front of Lamar Jackson. Baltimore cleaned up part of its offensive line situation by adding John Simpson and Vega Ioane at guard, yet the group also took a hit when Tyler Linderbaum walked in free agency. That leaves the unit with more uncertainty than the Ravens would like, and Sharp Football Analysis has the line sitting 24th entering 2026.
That puts a lot on Ronnie Stanley.
Stanley has been a steady presence for Baltimore for 10 seasons, and his résumé still carries real weight: two Pro Bowl selections and a first-team All-Pro nod. But the last few years have come with more wear and tear, and that showed at times in 2025. His 70.9 Pro Football Focus grade was respectable, but it also ranked just 35th among qualifying tackles.
The bigger issue is that Baltimore can’t afford merely respectable play from its left tackle. Stanley is the blindside protector for a quarterback who spent much of last season dealing with injuries of his own. Lamar Jackson battled a hamstring issue from the start and absorbed more physical setbacks along the way, and with the two-time MVP back at full health in 2026, the Ravens need the pocket to hold up around him.
That’s why Stanley’s season matters so much. When a team loses a Pro Bowl-level center in Linderbaum, the pressure shifts to the other top-tier blocker on the roster. Roger Rosengarten may be poised for a star-caliber leap, but Stanley still anchors the line, and Baltimore needs him to set the tone.
If he doesn’t bounce back, the Ravens’ offseason work up front could end up looking incomplete. For Baltimore, Stanley’s rebound isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the difference between stability and a potential mess.
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Maxx Crosby Just Said What Ravens Fans Already Knew About Lamar
Lamar Jacksons 2025 season never really looked like the version Ravens fans have come to expect, as injuries kept interrupting his rhythm and cut into the rushing element that makes Baltimores offense so difficult to defend. Even so, the league still treats him like one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in football, the kind of player who can change a game with one broken play and force defenses to account for every inch of the field.
Maxx Crosbys public respect only reinforced that reality for Baltimore supporters, because it came from one of the leagues most relentless defenders and from a player who knows how hard it is to track down elite quarterbacks in space. With Jackson heading into 2026, the bigger question is not whether opponents still fear his ability, but how much of that burst and unpredictability he can get back after a season defined by lingering setbacks. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Fans Are Sending A Loud Message About This Season
Ravens fans are already buying into a season that feels like it could start with a lot of momentum. A recent survey showed overwhelming confidence in Baltimore reaching double-digit wins, and plenty of that optimism comes from the mix of coaching changes and roster upgrades, including the additions of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and guard Olaivavega Ioane. Even the betting markets are leaning toward a strong year, which says plenty about how the team is being viewed before a snap is played.
Still, there are real questions tucked underneath the enthusiasm. Declan Doyle is stepping in as the new offensive play-caller, and the biggest issue is whether he is ready for that responsibility right away. Baltimore also has a few key personnel situations to sort through, including the status of Nnamdi Madubuike, so the ceiling looks high but the path to getting there is not entirely settled yet. [Read more 🡒]