Some things are better left in the past. Just ask anyone who’s gone back to an ex. It might feel comfortable. Familiar. Easy. But sometimes, it didn’t work out for a reason—and no amount of nostalgia will change that.
The Baltimore Ravens now find themselves in a similar position after learning that safety Ar’Darius Washington tore his Achilles during conditioning and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. It’s a crushing blow for a player who helped anchor the Ravens’ midseason defensive turnaround last year.
Washington stepped into the starting lineup midway through 2024, replacing Marcus Williams and immediately stabilizing the back end of the secondary alongside Kyle Hamilton. The defense tightened up, communication improved, and Baltimore ended up finishing top 10 in yards and points allowed. Washington’s return on a one-year, $3.26 million tender was viewed as a smart, affordable piece of continuity in a retooling secondary.
Now, it’s back to the drawing board—and that’s where that temptation to reach back out creeps in.
Marcus Williams isn’t the answer, no matter how familiar the name is
The Ravens cut Williams earlier this offseason, ending a disappointing three-year stint that started with a $70 million contract and ended with him being benched and made a healthy scratch for the final seven games of 2024. He battled injuries, sure, but even when on the field, he just looked out of sync. His 42.9 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 160th out of 170 defensive backs. He didn’t record a single interception. His last meaningful contribution feels like a lifetime ago.
There’s no sense revisiting that. Williams already took a visit with the Carolina Panthers this offseason and remains unsigned, which should tell you everything about his current value. Even with Washington’s injury, Baltimore should resist the urge to make a safe but uninspired move. Bringing Williams back now would reek of indecision—not necessarily intention.
Instead, the Ravens should lean into their future. First-round pick Malaki Starks is ready to contribute. Kyle Hamilton remains the anchor. Second-year players like Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade should get some decent run. If Baltimore wants to explore external options, there are still low-cost veterans who don’t carry the same baggage as Williams, like Justin Simmons and Julian Blackmon.
Washington’s injury stings—there's no doubt about it. But doubling down on a failed investment won’t soften the blow. Some doors stay closed for a reason—and this is one of them. We wish Williams nothing but the best, but it just doesn't feel like this is the move.