The Baltimore Ravens are playing chess not checkers

Credit (Getty Images) The Baltimore Ravens are the model for consistency and they once again showed it in free agency.

The Baltimore Ravens are committed to excellence. In our free agency review coming up the Ravens are at the top of it. When the team recently made a botch trade to send a couple of first rounders for Maxx Crosby that didn't happen. The Ravens got us again signing Trey Hendrickson an elite defensive player who is younger. I have to admit this is one hell of a pickup and honestly un-raven like. Baltimore don't sign guys like this in free agency yet with a new coach and era is upon for them.

This is huge the Ravens defense hasn't been good in particular season and now they looking to change it. Trey should a good player and help the defense improved. The 2026 season is a crucial one for the team after they disappointed last season. Gone is John Harbaugh and enter Jessie Minter this is truly a new era of Ravens football. The AFC North is up for grabs this season which Baltimore should be favorite. One they don't have to deal with Mike Tomlin Steelers, The So-So Bengals (Yes, they have Joe Burrow), and the Bad ass Browns. The AFC is wide open once again this season with the Chiefs still waiting on Mahomes to return.

The x-factor to Ravens having a successful season comes down to Lamar Jackson. The postseason is where legacies are made and Lamar has to get over the hurdle to a Super Bowl. We have seen several talented Ravens team come up short for a variety of reasons. Now the 2026 season is the Ravens chance to rewrite the narrative and for Lamar Jackson to make it happen by advancing to the biggest game that has eluded them.

If I were a struggling franchise I would study the Baltimore Ravens. This team always play chess not checkers in making the right moves that helps them win a lot of games. Not getting Maxx Crosby was tough but they turned into Trey Hendrickson that just smart football thinking. Will 2026 be the year the Ravens finally put it together or will the ghosts of the postseason haunt them?