The opening to the NFL’s negotiating window has been incredibly tough on the Baltimore Ravens. Nothing is official until Wednesday at 4 p.m., but as it stands, they are losing an overwhelming amount of talent. On Friday, they lost another piece.
Fullback Patrick Ricard is the most recent Raven to go, as he agreed to terms with the New York Giants. Shocker, it’s John Harbaugh taking another former player with him to the Big Apple. He’s been a real thorn in Baltimore’s side this offseason.
This doesn’t entirely come as a shock. After firing Harbaugh and hiring Jesse Minter, a new era is set to take off in Baltimore. Still, it’s tough to see Ricard go. He was thought to be a Baltimore-lifer, spending nine successful years in Charm City. But in 2026, he will be wearing new colors for the first time in his NFL career.
Baltimore Ravens say goodbye to Patrick Ricard
Ricard was a staple in the Ravens’ offense. They have been fueled by running the football relentlessly, and you can’t talk about their success in that area without bringing up Patrick Ricard. He was a one-man wrecking crew blocking in the run game and is still in the prime of his career.
The 31-year-old has six Pro Bowls to his name, and has also made three All-Pro teams, one of which was a first-team honor in 2024. He’s been a dominant player at the position since the moment he truly took over a significant role in 2019.
Unfortunately, Ricard wasn’t going to have a role in Baltimore’s new-look offense. New offensive coordinator hire, Declan Doyle, didn’t utilize a fullback in his offense with the Chicago Bears last season, and while it was head coach Ben Johnson calling plays, Doyle will likely follow a similar system. With Ricard gone, and a lack of rumored interest, it seems the Ravens won’t make fullback a priority under Doyle.
Ricard was clearly a Harbaugh guy, and Harbaugh was going to get him no matter what. He and New York were aggressive in pursuing other Baltimore free agents like tight end Isaiah Likely and punter Jordan Stout, and even agreed to a cheap contract for safety Ar’Darius Washington. Now, Ricard is set to join that list.
Make it four former Ravens that the Harbaugh-led Giants have now poached from Charm City.