By now, it’s clear Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta’s offseason won't necessarily be easy. After another Ravens’ disappointing playoff exit, the GM wasted no time outlining his vision for the team’s future—starting with the offensive line. For a unit that went through a dramatic overhaul last season, DeCosta’s reflections were direct and optimistic.
“We made a tough call last year to go younger and have some younger guys play, and we knew we'd have a few growing pains,” DeCosta said during his postseason presser. “I think we had a few, but looking back on it, I think it was absolutely the right thing to do, and we saw our guys improve and get better and really mesh as a unit and gel.” And those growing pains paid off. Baltimore’s offensive line eventually became the foundation of one of the league’s most potent offenses, clearing the way for Derrick Henry’s comeback season and protecting Lamar Jackson.
But now, Phase 2 of the rebuild is on deck. With left tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Patrick Mekari set to hit free agency, the Ravens face a lot of tough decisions. Can DeCosta afford to let two experienced starters walk, or will Baltimore double down on the younger players already in-house?
Addressing the offensive line is priority No. 1 for Baltimore
GM Eric DeCosta on the O-line: pic.twitter.com/PeeOo0AFUk
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2025
DeCosta’s comments made it clear the Ravens are keeping every option on the table. He praised rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten (future cornerstone), who smashed expectations in his debut season and showed he’s versatile enough to switch to the left side if Stanley heads elsewhere. “Roger’s played both sides before,” DeCosta said. “He’s mature beyond his years.”
Rosengarten, being the next man up in Stanley’s role, could save the Ravens significant cap space and headache without a massive dip in production.
As for left guard, it looks like Andrew Vorhees could be the frontrunner to take over if Mekari leaves. While injuries didn't allow the Ravens to get a legitimate look at him, DeCosta remains optimistic about his development. “One thing we’ve seen over the years with that position is guys get better as they get older and more established,” he explained. However, banking solely on internal growth doesn't always just work out.
Ah, oh yes—then there’s the draft. With double-digit picks in April, DeCosta isn’t ruling out another swing at an offensive lineman, and he shouldn't. “We’ll overturn every rock to find as many good offensive linemen as we can,” he emphasized. Luckily for DeCosta and the Ravens, there's plenty of it.
The Ravens have a clear goal—build an elite offensive line without breaking the bank or cutting corners. DeCosta’s confidence in the younger players like Rosengarten and Vorhees shows the team is prepared for life after Stanley and Mekari, should that happen. But the reality of free agency means the Ravens might need to strike a delicate balance between keeping key veterans and betting on youth—something Baltimore already does better than most.
If Phase 1 of the rebuild taught Ravens fans anything, it’s that growing pains can lead to progress. It only took one season to reap the rewards of Rosengarten. Imagine if they overhaul the whole line—where the offense could be in a couple of years. Whether Phase 2 involves more tough decisions or drafting some young guys, one thing is certain: DeCosta will do whatever he possibly can to bring talent to Baltimore.