The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers-and not much room for error. After a 2025 campaign that fell flat on nearly every front, the organization is shifting gears under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and the pressure is on.
The goal is clear: get back to contending form. But to do that, the Ravens will need to make some tough roster calls, especially with limited cap flexibility and a long list of needs.
Let’s start with the financials. Baltimore currently has just over $13 million in effective cap space, according to Over the Cap.
That’s not nothing, but in today’s NFL, it won’t stretch far-especially for a team that needs to reinforce both lines, add juice to the pass rush, and shore up depth at wide receiver and cornerback. So, the Ravens may have no choice but to part ways with a few familiar faces to free up room for reinforcements.
Three names have surfaced as potential cap casualties: defensive tackle Broderick Washington, running back Justice Hill, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Each move would come with its own ripple effects-financially and emotionally.
Broderick Washington: The Writing’s on the Wall
Washington feels like the most straightforward decision. Since signing his extension in 2023, his impact has dipped dramatically.
Injuries limited him to just two games in 2025, and the production hasn’t justified the price tag. Cutting him before June 1 would save the team $4 million.
That’s a chunk of change Baltimore could put to better use elsewhere, especially given their need for more consistent interior defensive line play.
Justice Hill: A Tough Call in a Crowded Backfield
Hill is a trickier case. He’s long been a reliable third-down option-solid in pass protection, capable as a receiver-but like Washington, injuries derailed his 2025 season.
With Keaton Mitchell waiting in the wings and poised to take on a bigger role behind the starter, Hill’s $3.1 million cap hit becomes hard to justify. The Ravens could use that money to invest in more pressing areas, especially if they believe Mitchell is ready to step up.
Marlon Humphrey: A Franchise Cornerstone at a Crossroads
Then there’s Humphrey. This one’s complicated.
He’s been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ secondary for years, and while 2025 was marred by injuries, it’s tough to imagine Baltimore moving on from him lightly. Still, a post-June 1 cut would free up $7.3 million-an enticing figure for a team that needs to make moves.
The Ravens are thin at corner, and unless they have a replacement plan in place, letting go of Humphrey might create more problems than it solves. But if cap space becomes a must-have, it’s a door they might have to crack open.
Free Agency Targets: Proven Talent Over Potential
If the Ravens do make these cuts, they’ll have the flexibility to be more aggressive in free agency than we’ve typically seen from them. And while Baltimore has long been a draft-first organization, this offseason might call for a shift in strategy.
The two biggest areas of need? Pass rush and interior offensive line.
The pass rush in 2025 was, frankly, underwhelming. Just 30 sacks on the season-that’s not going to get it done, especially in a league where quarterbacks are getting the ball out faster than ever.
Mike Green is a promising young edge rusher, but he needs a proven veteran on the other side. Someone like Trey Hendrickson could fit the bill, bringing both production and experience to a unit that needs a spark.
On the offensive line, the top priority is re-signing center Tyler Linderbaum. He’s the anchor of the unit, and letting him walk would be a major step backward.
Once Linderbaum is locked in, the focus shifts to guard-specifically right guard. Emery Jones Jr. is expected to take over the left side, but the right guard spot is wide open.
Daniel Faalele struggled in that role, and the Ravens need a more reliable presence. Veterans like Kevin Zeitler or Joel Bitonio could be on the radar if the cap space opens up.
A New Look Ravens Team in 2026?
Don’t expect Baltimore to suddenly become the big spender of free agency, but they’ve reached a point where calculated aggression is necessary. The 2025 season exposed too many holes to patch with draft picks alone. If the Ravens want to keep pace in a loaded AFC, they’ll need to make some uncomfortable decisions-starting with who stays and who goes.
Cutting players like Washington, Hill, and potentially Humphrey wouldn’t just be about trimming fat. It would be about reallocating resources to build a tougher, deeper, and more dynamic roster.
The pieces are still there-Lamar Jackson remains the centerpiece, and the defense, when healthy, has talent at all three levels. But the margin for error is thin.
This offseason is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent Ravens history. The decisions made in the coming weeks could define whether 2026 is a bounce-back campaign-or another year of falling short.