The Baltimore Ravens are going to be one of the busiest teams this offseason. For the first time since 2008, they will be searching for a new head coach. Along with that, will come a new coaching staff.
Still, Baltimore cannot afford to spend too much time on the coaching front. Obviously, it’s important to get this hire right, especially when you make the daring move of firing a Hall of Fame-caliber head coach. But in just two months, a talented group of players is set to become free agents. Many of those need extensions soon.
A few starters, like center Tyler Linderbaum, outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, feel like obvious extensions. However, it wouldn’t be a shock if most of those guys opt to test the open market, given their strong play in 2025. It’ll only drive up their price. For a player like tight end Charlie Kolar, though, he could be a key piece that the Ravens could extend soon.
Ravens must extend Charlie Kolar
At face value, Kolar doesn’t seem like a player a team would be desperate to extend. He’s tallied just 30 receptions for 409 yards and four touchdowns through four seasons. He was the third-string tight end in Baltimore in each of those years, but he certainly has made an impact.
Albeit in limited action, Kolar has proven to be a reliable option through the air when called upon. More importantly, he has developed into an elite run blocker. Kolar finished with a 77.5 overall grade and a 71.5 run blocking grade in 2025, per Pro Football Focus. That was good for sixth-best on Baltimore’s offense.
Following the end of the team’s season, Kolar mentioned that he would love to be back in Charm City in 2026.
“I’d love to play here, it just depends on what the situation is,” Kolar said. “I’d love to be back as a Raven, but at the end of the day, I got to do what’s best for my family.”
The Ravens seem like the perfect fit for the 26-year-old, and both sides should work quickly to agree on a new deal. The sooner the front office gets its coaching situation figured out, the sooner they can start retaining a good chunk of their pending free agents. Given that Kolar likely won't demand a lucrative deal, Baltimore should be able to make a cost effective move in keeping the former Iowa State Cyclone around.