The Baltimore Ravens saw a dramatic overhaul this offseason, and while most of the changes were positive, a few leaked through that could negatively impact the team in 2026. The most notable of those negative shifts is the offensive line. Well, I guess it’s been both positive and negative.
On one hand, Ravens fans are ecstatic that the team finally addressed the offensive guard position. John Simpson and Vega Ioane bring a breath of fresh air to the roster. Unfortunately, Tyler Linderbaum also departed in free agency, leaving a massive hole at center.
Sure, the front improved, but according to Sharp Football Analysis, they still rank just 24th entering 2026. They need more certainty there, and one man who could help turn things around is franchise cornerstone Ronnie Stanley. If the 32-year-old can bounce back, he could turn doubters into believers and avoid a potential offensive line disaster.
Baltimore Ravens will need Ronnie Stanley to help turn offensive line struggles around
Ronnie Stanley has long provided above-average play in Charm City. Through 10 seasons, he’s been one of the best tackles in the NFL, and has earned two Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All-Pro honor along the way. Injuries have started to pile up on him, though, which certainly led to some unsteady results in 2025.
To be fair to him, it was an off year for almost everyone on Baltimore’s roster. It seemed like the whole team was out of sync from Week 1 to Week 18, and the injury bug bit far too many players, including Stanley. Regardless, when you play a premium position like left tackle, you need to be at your best in every game.
And although Stanley’s 70.9 Pro Football Focus grade last season was fine, it was definitely underwhelming. That mark ranked just 35th among qualifying tackles. It was easy to miss how inconsistent Stanley’s campaign was given the horror show that took place at offensive guard, but the Ravens needed and will need more from him.
That’s especially true looking at how Lamar Jackson struggled with injuries last year. He was dealing with a hamstring issue from pretty much the get-go, and a variety of other injuries took a toll on him, as well. With the two-time MVP returning to full health in 2026, he needs the guys in front of him to keep him upright, and as the blindside protector, Stanley’s the most important player of that bunch.
It’s also just a fact that when one Pro Bowl-level player leaves in Linderbaum, the team will need their other Pro Bowler to step up. Yes, Roger Rosengarten sounds ready to take a star-caliber jump this year; however, it’s still Stanley’s offensive line to lead, and he needs to lead by example.
If Stanley can’t get the ball rolling back in the right direction, then Baltimore’s efforts to improve the protection for Jackson might be all for naught. It’s crucial that he rebounds in 2026.
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