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So what’s next for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023?

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 15: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens reacts from the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Paycor Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 15: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens reacts from the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Paycor Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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It was a bounce-back year for the Baltimore Ravens. John Harbaugh’s team returned to the playoffs one season after winding up in the AFC North basement.

A season ago, the Baltimore Ravens owned an 8-3 record after 11 games and appeared headed towards an AFC North title. However, injuries were a major factor in John Harbaugh’s team dropping its final six games. The club plummeted to last place in the division.

This year, the Ravens won nine of their first 13 games and this time around, wound up returning to the playoffs despite dropping three of their final four games. It was a short-lived stay as the team fell at Cincinnati, 24-17, in the wild card round.

The defense rebounded after a shaky start and Baltimore allowed the third-fewest points per game in the league. This up-and-coming unit could be the key to success in the future. That’s because…

What’s Next for the Baltimore Ravens?

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman stepped down from his position earlier this month. He built an attack around talented quarterback Lamar Jackson. So will the organization go in a dramatically different direction when it comes to this side of the ball?

This is a club that has been built around the running game, finishing in the Top 3 in the league in rushing in each of the past five seasons. Could the new coordinator mean a huge change in philosophy?

Which brings us to…

Biggest Offseason Concern?

Jackson can become a free agent this offseason and it will be interesting to see if general manager Eric DeCosta and the organization can get a long-term deal or any deal done soon.

So how will the 2019 NFL MVP’s recent injury issues affect the negotiations? In 2021, Jackson missed five of the last eight games. This past season, the two-time Pro Bowler was out for the final five contests, as well as the wild card matchup with the rival Ravens.

It would be a huge surprise if the fifth-year quarterback isn’t back in Baltimore in 2023. However, stranger things have happened in this league in recent years.

The AFC North has sent at least two teams to the playoffs each of these last three seasons. This division saw three clubs post winning records in 2022, matched only by the NFC East this year. This is one of the better organizations in the NFL, but the Ravens’ biggest question this offseason needs a definitive answer.

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