The Baltimore Ravens have set their sights on a Super Bowl victory, as demonstrated by the robust attendance and standout performances at their first session of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason. Key players like Odafe Oweh, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely showcased a determined, business-like mentality, signaling the team’s resolve to move past last season’s playoff loss in Buffalo.
The Ravens’ commitment was evident in the high turnout at OTAs, with outside linebacker Odafe Oweh appearing in peak physical condition and tight end Mark Andrews sounding rejuvenated. Tight end Isaiah Likely highlighted the team’s focus, stating, “I feel like everybody got the memo after the last game of [last] year. When you don’t reach your ultimate goal, which is to win and hold that trophy and smile with everybody, everybody’s always hungry [to] get back to the next season.” This collective drive underscores Baltimore’s ambition to compete at the highest level in the upcoming 2025 season.
Head Coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Likely’s potential, noting, “That’d be my goal for him, and he’s capable of it.” Likely, who turned 25 in January, is poised for a breakout year. Beyond his on-field contributions, Likely is engaging with the community by hosting the Isaiah Likely Softball Slam on Sunday afternoon at Ripken Stadium to support Special Olympics. The event promises to be a fun opportunity for fans and players, with NFL athletes often finding hitting a softball more challenging than tackling opponents on the field.
First-round pick Malaki Starks faces high expectations as he adapts to the Ravens’ defensive schemes during OTAs. His ability to quickly grasp the playbook will determine how soon he can contribute significantly. Starks benefits from working alongside All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, who overcame early rookie struggles to become a star. Hamilton’s experience makes him an ideal mentor for Starks, offering guidance as the young safety navigates his first NFL season. “Kyle Hamilton will be a terrific mentor for Malaki Starks,” noted a recent Ravens news update.
Running back Keaton Mitchell, recovering from a significant knee injury sustained on December 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, was a standout at OTAs. Mitchell, who averaged an NFL-leading 8.4 yards per carry on 47 runs during his rookie season, showed flashes of his explosive speed. He reflected on his recovery, saying, “I feel like I’m back better than when I first got here. It’s going to be a movie for sure.” Mitchell’s return bolsters a running back group that includes Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, creating one of the NFL’s deepest and most versatile backfields. His performance in OTAs, including a double-move route for a long gain, suggests he could reclaim his role as a game-changer, potentially as the team’s leading kick returner after averaging 31.2 yards on five returns last season.
Mitchell’s recovery journey was challenging. “There were a lot of tough moments on the way back from my injury, but the alone part was the toughest. It’s just you, yourself, and the grind,” he said. Despite limited action last season—61 snaps, including 36 on offense and 15 carries for 30 yards—Mitchell’s recent OTA performances indicate he’s regaining the form that saw him hit 20.99 mph on a 40-yard touchdown run in his rookie year, the fastest speed by a Ravens ball carrier that season. Head Coach Harbaugh praised Mitchell’s progress, stating, “It looked like he had the speed and then just the ability to adjust and track. Last year, probably, you could tell he was thinking through the knee [injury] a little bit it seemed like. I haven’t seen any of that so far this spring, so it’s good to see.”
The Ravens also marked a significant transition with the retirement of defensive lineman Michael Pierce after nine NFL seasons. Pierce, an undrafted free agent from 2016, became one of the league’s premier nose tackles, known for his run-stopping ability. He played seven of his nine seasons with Baltimore, finishing his career with 99 games, 238 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception. His final regular-season play, an interception against Cleveland Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe, went viral as the 355-pounder took a knee prematurely and was swarmed by teammates, creating a lasting memory.
Reflecting on his career, Pierce said on Sports Spectrum’s podcast on March 12, 2025, “After nine seasons, after much prayer, talking to my family, just going through the grind, man, and just being satisfied with where I am, looking forward to doing other things in life, I just decided to call it a career. It’s been a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful nine years.” Pierce expressed gratitude to his father, former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, General Manager Eric DeCosta, and his coaches and teammates, particularly noting, “They gave me a chance when not many people were willing to take a chance on me. So I’m grateful for them.”
Pierce’s impact was significant, contributing to the Ravens’ league-leading run defense last season, allowing just 80.1 yards per game. Baltimore ranked in the top five in run defense in five of Pierce’s seven seasons with the team. Last season, he transitioned to a reduced role, playing 32% of defensive snaps compared to 55% in 2023, yet remained effective alongside teammate Brent Urban, known together as the “Fun Bunch.”
To fill the void left by Pierce, the Ravens signed veteran John Jenkins on Monday, following Pierce’s retirement processing post-June 1, 2025. Jenkins, 35, brings 13 years of NFL experience, having started every game for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past two seasons. He recorded a career-high 61 tackles in 2023 and 46 tackles the following year, with one sack each season. The Raiders’ run defense ranked 13th in the NFL last year, allowing 116.9 yards per game. Jenkins, a 6-foot-3, 327-pound nose tackle, played a career-high 609 defensive snaps last season and is expected to provide depth behind Travis Jones, Nnamdi Madubuike, and Broderick Washington. His signing, as an unrestricted free agent after the draft, ensures no impact on Baltimore’s 2026 compensatory picks.
The Ravens’ offseason moves, including Jenkins’ addition and the development of players like Starks and Mitchell, align with their goal of maintaining a formidable defense and dynamic offense. The team’s strong OTA attendance and the performances of key players suggest a focused and motivated roster. As noted in a Baltimore Ravens news report, the team’s priority is re-signing their stars and building on last season’s success. With a mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 17-18, 2025, the Ravens are laying a solid foundation for the upcoming season.
