There were many reasons for the collapse of the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. While it may not have drawn the most attention, the consistent pass-rushing pressure on Lamar Jackson played a major role in the team's demise.
After the exit of Tyler Linderbaum, the problem only looked to be getting worse. The Ravens have attempted to patch the interior of their offensive line with additions like Olaivavega Ioane and Danny Pinter, but both players are relatively unproven.
If they can't meet expectations, Baltimore risks entering the 2026 season with the same lingering issue.
Baltimore Ravens relying on Vega Ioane and Danny Pinter to solve pass-blocking woes
The Ravens finished the 2025 campaign with the fourth-worst offensive sack rate in the NFL at 8.91%. Some of that is on Jackson, who took an average of 2.87 seconds to throw the ball, much longer than the league average. But the blocking in front of him left much to be desired.
While Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley were strong pass protectors, the rest of the unit gave up too many pressures. Those pressures led to negative plays, often causing drives to stall out.
Pinter and Ioane will be crucial in fixing that problem. Pinter, the former Indianapolis Colts center, has never been a full-time starter in the NFL. He spent all five of his seasons with the Colts as a backup, totaling less than 300 offensive snaps each year.
His biggest opportunity came in 2022, when he began the season as the team's starter. But he quickly returned to the bench after allowing three sacks in his first four games.
The 29-year-old has never been an above-average pass blocker, but that's exactly what the Ravens will need him to become in 2026. Jackson seems to think he can make the leap. He recently said that both Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn, who is competing for the starting center job, are "doing a pretty good job."
Ioane has higher expectations, but he hasn't taken a snap at the NFL level. The 14th-overall pick will be Baltimore's starting left guard, presumably lining up next to Pinter. He is viewed as a well-rounded blocker who can hold up against NFL-caliber defensive tackles in pass protection. He'll need to prove it quickly if the Ravens are going to hit the ground running in 2026.
If either Pinter or Ioane fails to start the year at a high level, the Ravens will risk carrying the same lingering issue that hampered their 2025 campaign into the new season.
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