Recently, Trey Hendrickson joined Jackson, providing a luxury reinforcement at that position on the field. The impact of Clowney’s potential arrival to the Ravens Flock could further boost the roster.

Last seen with the Dallas Cowboys, Jadeveon Clowney is also on the radar of two NFC North contenders: the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Where will he ultimately land for the upcoming NFL season?

Clowney’s 2025 season

During the 2025 NFL season, Jadeveon Clowney proved to be a vital mid-season addition for the Dallas Cowboys after signing with the team in September. Despite appearing in only 13 games, the veteran edge rusher remained highly productive, recording 8.5 sacks, 41 combined tackles (24 solo), and 4 passes defended.

Clowney’s impact was particularly felt in the pass rush, where he generated 40 total pressures and forced one fumble. His season was highlighted by a dominant performance in the final week against the Giants, where he racked up 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble, solidifying his status as a top-tier defender even at 33 years old.

His stint in Baltimore

Appearing in all 17 regular-season games in 2023, Clowney matched his career-high with 9.5 sacks and recorded 43 combined tackles, proving to be one of the most efficient veteran signings in the league. His disruptive presence was further highlighted by 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles, providing the elite edge pressure necessary for Baltimore and Lamar Jackson to secure the AFC’s top seed.

Elite pass rushers for Lamar

Despite missing out on Maxx Crosby, the Baltimore Ravens have solidified their defensive front for the 2026 season. The pass rush is now spearheaded by elite veteran Trey Hendrickson, who serves as the primary edge threat alongside the interior dominance of Nnamdi Madubuike.

This new-look unit will also rely on the continued growth of young talent like Tavius Robinson and Adisa Isaac, ensuring that Lamar Jackson is supported by a relentless and hungry group of rushers as they chase a championship.

In fact, the message is loud and clear, the reason Hendrickson joined the team is because he wants to win the Super Bowl right now. “The standard is high here and I’m excited for that challenge,” Hendrickson said. “Incredible defense, incredible people, and looking forward to this season.”

Hendrickson has 31 years of age, so he knows it’s not like he has forever to wait for that all-elusive Super Bowl ring to come by. Instead, he is chasing the championship, and that’s his main goal before calling it a career. Hendrickson is still a high-impact player.

Hendrickson is not Crosby for one main reason

As a pass-rusher, Hendrickson has nothing to envy from Crosby. The fact is the main and key difference relies on the rushing defense aspect of the game. Crosby is miles better defending the run. That’s the main difference. Now, when you also have linebacker Roquan Smith on the roster, maybe you just want the pass-rusher side of things.

Hendrickson’s 2025 season got cut short due to injury. However, he is a more prolific pass-rusher. Still, the fact is Crosby is just a much more dangerous presence to deal with. The fact is the Ravens are now getting an elite pass-rush, and the run defense will have to be a problem that someone else solves.

The Ravens are a promising defense

The last two years, the Ravens have been a bipolar defensive unit. They usually stink at first, and then turn elite in the second half. The hope is all that changes now that Jesse Minter is the head coach.

Minter is a defensive-minded coach, and he also comes from the Harbaugh coaching tree. He has all the bases to make this unit one of the best in football. Then, let Lamar Jackson and company take the reins on offense.

Hendrickson got quite the deal by the Ravens. Now, the Ravens have released quarterback Cooper Rush, per NBC Sports. The Ravens also re-signed Snoop Huntley to become Lamar Jackson’s backup. Rush had signed a two-year deal, but after just one, his time in Baltimore is up.

Huntley played for the Ravens from his rookie year in 2020 to 2023. He played six games in 2022, starting four of them and that earned him a Pro Bowl selection. After spending the 2024 season in Miami, he went back to Baltimore last year, and it seems like he beat Rush in the QB2 competition.

Huntley had a massive advantage over Rush

Rush is years older than Huntley, but the real disadvantage he faced is his style compared to Huntley’s. Being the backup of Lamar Jackson is no easy feat. He is the fastest, must mobile QB in the NFL. Rush is a pure pocket passer, not that mobile, so when he steps in, the playbook must dramatically change.

As for, Huntley, he is like a mini version of Jackson. He is mobile, he runs quite a lot and the playbook can remain almost exactly the same. Hence, it’s an easier transition. After all, Lamar has missed games in all but one season. Usually, the backup will need to step up for a couple of games.

Baltimore has plenty of cap space to work

After restructuring Lamar Jackson’s contract, signing Trey Hendrickson, and ditching the Crosby trade, Baltimore is in quite a great position. On the Lamar Jackson side of things, that freed up nearly $40 million in cap space. And without the Crosby trade, they kept this year’s and next year’s first round picks.

Hence, now the Ravens have plenty of room to move and keep building their roster. The Ravens are in prime position to continue bringing big-time names as they hope to go on a Super Bowl trip for once in Jackson’s career.

The report came from Adam Schefter on X (@adamschefter): “Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley is signing a two-year deal worth up to $11 million to return to the Baltimore Ravens, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus.” The news did not come as much of a surprise, but it was widely expected following John Harbaugh’s departure.

Last season, Huntley had to step in for Jackson while he recovered, once again, from an injury. He appeared in five games, winning two of them. Huntley threw two touchdowns with no interceptions, finishing with a total of 462 passing yards.

Jackson will have all the help he needs

Not only will Jackson have Huntley for longer as his backup quarterback, but the team could also bring in another backup. It’s still unclear whether that will be Cooper Rush or another player. There has been no confirmation yet on whether Rush could return or be released, but at least one reliable arm is already secured.

“Can confirm. Smart move. Huntley played well last year in leading Ravens to wins over Bears and Packers. In a league where demand for quality backup QBs far exceeds the supply, Huntley would probably have had a decent market,” Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic wrote about the backup’s extension.

Huntley has spent five years in the Ravens’ system and has been there primarily to step in for Jackson when needed. However, if he is asked to take on a larger role during the upcoming season, he would likely do so if new head coach Jesse Minter calls on him.

Lamar Jackson is the tenth-highest-paid quarterback in football and he’s been wanting to adjust his contract for months. Owner Steve Bisciotti wants a new deal for Lamar Jackson too, and he wants to do it before the league year begins to avoid a massive cap hit. Without an extension, Jackson’s cost jumps from $43.5 million to $74.5 million.

If no deal is reached, the Ravens will likely restructure his contract to save money now, but that would only make his 2027 cap hit—the final year of his deal—even more expensive. Hence, the team would face massive problems to make deals.

Who are ahead of Lamar?

While there are some names that one can understand being ahead of Jackson, like Josh Allen or Joe Burrow, the fact is there are other names that are just outrageous. For instance, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, and Tua Tagovailoa earning more than Jackson must really stink for the Ravens QB. This is the list of highest-paid QBs in the NFL according to Spotrac.

Jackson has the leverage here. No one would want to lose a top-tier QB in the middle of his prime, and Jackson can look at that list and say “I have two MVPs, the other nine have one MVP combined.” How much of an adjustment will be done remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking.

It’s deserved, but is it wise?

No one will deny Lamar Jackson should always be in the higher half of that list. However, is it wise? Notice, there is no Patrick Mahomes there. Why? He prioritized winning more than getting paid. Mahomes has three rings already, the whole top 10 list has zero. In fact, only three of those have even played in a Super Bowl (Purdy, Goff, and Burrow).

Tom Brady was never one of the highest-paid QBs. He earned his good money, but he wanted to keep team-friendly deals in place so the roster could be as good as possible to compete for Super Bowls. So, yes, Lamar is in his right to look for more money, but is it in his best interest regarding winning in the NFL? Remember, the Ravens just traded for Maxx Crosby, so the pressure is on.

Tight end Isaiah Likely is pretty much gone from the Baltimore Ravens. After passing catches from Lamar Jackson but living under the shadow of veteran Mark Andrews, Likely wants the chance to shine.

Speaking to Jon Gruden, Likely said, “With my agent, what I told him was I just want to be able to blossom. The last couple years, I’ve had a great vet in Mark Andrews, where he taught me everything to be a star-caliber tight end to the point where it’s like now I just want to be on a team where I can get out there and help a quarterback, help a team be able to put as much points on the board as possible.”

Likely is very talented, but has been limited by Andrews

Many could argue that Likely is already better than Andrews, however, the veteran is held in very high regard by the Ravens. Likely had 27 catches for 307 yards and just one touchdown in 2025. In all fairness, it was a down year for all the Ravens’ roster.

Likely has some suitors already. Reports state that the Commanders could be the frontrunners to land Likely. The Commanders had the always reliable Zach Ertz as tight end. However, Ertz suffered a gruesome knee injury that might end his playing career. Hence, Likely would be really tempting.

The Commanders might be tempting for Likely

Likely wants the chance to blossom, the Commanders need a tight end. It has a very good chance of actually happening. The Commanders are likely to lose wideout Deebo Samuel, don’t have Ertz, and WR1 Terry McLaurin is aging and has suffered injuries in the last season. Hence, Likely would have the chance to actually become the best weapon on the roster.

Jayden Daniels needs to bounce back from an under-par, injury-filled season too. Hence, having a reliable weapon in Likely would certainly give him plenty of motivation. Also, it would give him a massive red zone threat.

The Ravens will look very different in 2026. Following John Harbaugh’s departure, Baltimore named Jessie Minter as head coach, and he has already begun assembling his staff for the upcoming season.

On Thursday, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that the Ravens are hiring Keary Colbert as their new wide receivers coach. However, the move has not generated much excitement among fans due to his recent track record.

Keary Colbert coming off disappointing 2025 season with Broncos

Colbert became the Denver Broncos’ wide receivers coach in 2023, marking his first NFL position after Sean Payton gave him the opportunity to make the leap to the professional level.

Unfortunately, his tenure did not unfold as hoped. While Denver’s wide receiver corps lacked elite star power, many believed the group underperformed relative to its talent. As a result, Colbert faced significant scrutiny.

In 2025, the Broncos’ receivers ranked among the league’s worst in dropped passes. Although players ultimately bear responsibility for execution on the field, the position coach inevitably shares in the criticism.

Now in Baltimore, Colbert will inherit a receiving group that has also struggled to consistently meet expectations. The difference is that he will be working with Lamar Jackson, whose passing accuracy has improved significantly in recent seasons. For the Ravens to take the next step, their receivers must become more reliable and eliminate costly mistakes.

Will the Ravens trade Zay Flowers?

Zay Flowers remains under the rookie contract he signed in 2023. However, rumors have surfaced suggesting that, after failing to establish himself as the clear No. 1 receiver the team envisioned, he could become a trade candidate this offseason.

While speculation continues, no concrete landing spots have emerged. Several teams around the league are in need of wide receiver help, and a fresh start could potentially allow Flowers to prove he can develop into the elite weapon many expected him to be.

Some MVP winners dashed onto the scene early, turning heads when youth and elite performance collided. Others reached the pinnacle after years of refinement, defying the odds and delaying their moment in the spotlight well into their 30s and beyond.

As the list stretches from the league’s early days to the modern era, the contrast between youthful impact and seasoned mastery reveals not only shifts in the game but how different generations have left their mark on NFL’s most prestigious individual honor.

Who is the youngest MVP winner in NFL history?

The youngest player ever to win the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award was Jim Brown, who captured the honor at just 21 years old during his rookie season in 1957 while starring for the Cleveland Browns. His dominant campaign included 942 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

He followed up that historic achievement with another MVP season in 1958 at age 22, becoming one of the few players to earn the league’s top individual prize in consecutive years so early in his career.

Other youthful winners include several Hall of Famers who secured the award in their early 20s, such as Lamar Jackson at age 22 in 2019, and Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino at age 23, but Brown’s rookie‑season distinction still stands as the earliest age any player has won MVP in NFL history.

Who is the oldest MVP winner in NFL history?

At the other end of the spectrum, longevity has its own legends. Tom Brady, already one of the game’s most iconic quarterbacks, set the record as the oldest NFL MVP, earning the award at age 40 during the 2017 season. His performance that year, including over 4,500 passing yards, showcased his sustained excellence deep into his fourth decade in the league.

His age milestone surpasses other veteran MVPs like Aaron Rodgers (who won at 38 and 37) and Peyton Manning (MVP at 37), illustrating how rare it is for elite production to continue at ages typically associated with decline in professional sports.

Others such as Rich Gannon and Y.A. Tittle also won MVP in their late 30s, but Brady’s mark remains the highest on record, a testament to durability and preparation in a league known for its physical demands.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Greg Roman is one of three coaches going into in-person interviews with the Jets. Roman formerly coached Lamar Jackson to become a unanimous MVP in 2019. Then, he was Justin Herbert’s OC in the Chargers for the last two years.

According to Fowler, there were five interviews done virtually, but the list narrowed down to just three now. Roman is quite an intriguing name, as he defies what many teams are looking for.

Greg Roman is an old school yet smart coach

Roman is an old-school coach who has been under the Harbaugh tree pretty much his whole career. Hence, he is a run-heavy schemer that doesn’t exactly aligns with the NFL today. Nowadays, it’s creativity and QBs shining what gets you a job as OC. Roman is more pragmatic and traditional.

Still, Roman is no stranger to make a QB shine. It’s just not as flashy. However, he made Jackson the MVP and Justin Herbert get Pro Bowl honors. There is nothing secure yet, but Roman is surely one of the most intriguing candidates.

The Jets need to spark something on offense

The Jets also interviewed a Super Bowl winner for the OC spot. Whoever gets the role must need to be an effective hire. The Jets offense has been bad for years now, and the team is desperate to finally have a productive unit.

On Friday, ESPN revealed that Baltimore is hiring Declan Doyle as its new offensive coordinator. With Monken out, the Ravens needed a quick replacement, and the AFC North club moved fast to secure a new coach to lead Lamar Jackson and the offense.

Doyle previously held the same title with the Chicago Bears. However, he will now take on play-calling duties, a responsibility he did not have in Chicago, where Ben Johnson handled that role.

Lamar Jackson could thrive under Doyle’s coaching

Declan Doyle began his coaching career in 2016 at Iowa. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that he made his way to the NFL, serving as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints.

He later joined the Denver Broncos in 2023 as tight ends coach before becoming the Bears’ offensive coordinator in 2025. Although he spent just one season in Chicago, several teams showed interest in him following an impressive year working with Caleb Williams.

While Doyle was not the play-caller in Chicago, the offense performed at a high level, and he was widely viewed as a key factor in Williams’ development. Now, he will be tasked with coaching another dual-threat quarterback in Lamar Jackson, who struggled to reach his full potential under Monken.

Many fans believe a fresh start is exactly what Jackson needs to take his game to the next level. With Doyle’s experience and recent success, it may only be a matter of time before the Ravens’ offense reaches the level many expect.

In a detail that has surprised many, the coach confirms to Sanders that the Baltimore Ravens tried to draft him in 2025. “Hey, we tried to draft you last year for God’s sake. It’s all worked out. You remember that right? Someday we’ll get a chance to talk about that.”

Sanders can only manage to respond: “Yeah. I was about to tell you.” A few months ago, several reports indicated that the Ravens wanted to draft Sanders, but the rookie informed them that he would turn them down because he wanted a real opportunity to be a starting quarterback, and in Baltimore he would be Lamar Jackson’s backup.

Ravens wanted Shedeur Sanders

Last September, Adam Schefter confirmed that the Ravens had already decided to select Shedeur Sanders in the draft. However, everything fell apart after the player did not like that option.

“It was all set. A consensus had been reached. The Baltimore Ravens were planning to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round with the 141st overall pick, but, when he found out, he got word back to the Ravens that he preferred not to go to a place where he would be backing up Lamar Jackson.”

On that occasion, Schefter mentioned that Sanders wanted to be in a place where he could play. Because of that, when the Ravens received that message, they decided to go in a different direction and moved on from the quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders and a new chapter with Browns

In the end, Shedeur Sanders was selected by the Browns with the 144th overall pick and, during 2025, he indeed got time as a starting quarterback after being behind on the depth chart to names like Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.

However, due to Lamar Jackson’s multiple injuries, Sanders likely would have made his NFL debut earlier with the Ravens. That did not happen, and now Monken, who was the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, will have him as his possible franchise quarterback in Cleveland.