The Baltimore Ravens enter 2026 with a lot riding on the line. They made perhaps the biggest change of the offseason by firing John Harbaugh and hiring Jesse Minter, and it's clear that after their 2025 disappointment, they’re not going to allow another letdown season.
With the release of the 2026 NFL schedule, we know Baltimore’s path to making that bounce-back year a reality. There’s various games to circle, but the top storyline might be their Week 18 matchup. They’ll get a shot to rewrite history against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This scheduling decision has the Ravens feeling deja vu. The player who may be feeling it the most is Tyler Loop. We all remember what happened last year; I don’t need to type it out. And with some questioning his future, this matchup could offer a shot at redemption.
Baltimore Ravens polarizing starter has perfect chance to rewrite history
Loop’s missed game-winner to end the 2025 campaign is still fresh in pretty much every fan’s memory. It sucked. However, all that could be washed away with a strong sophomore showing. With a pivotal game against the Steelers not just in Week 18, but also in Week 15, Loop is going to have his shot at righting his season-ending wrong. There's reason to believe that he can rebound from the lowest of lows, too.
For the most part, Loop was actually pretty consistent in his rookie year. He drilled 88.2% of his field goal attempts, knocking through 30 of 34 tries. Sure, there were some obvious troubles from a distance, as he was just 1-for-4 from 50-plus yards out, but that could have been your typical rookie jitters. Unfortunately, all people will remember, though, is that unfortunate moment in Pittsburgh.
Despite all the pain of that miss, it could’ve actually been a blessing in disguise. Yes, it caused the Ravens to miss the playoffs, but in the grand scheme of things, it seems like it may have been a catalyst for a much-needed transition on the coaching staff. Things could be trending in the right direction in Charm City.
It may also prove to be a key growing moment for Loop. Sometimes the biggest failures can be the lead catalysts for critical development, and the 24-year-old will have the opportunity to take major strides in 2026. There doesn’t appear to be any competition for his job. It’s safe for now, and we’ll have to wait and see if he bounces back. Hopefully, he gets a chance to redeem himself in Week 18 against the Steelers.
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