Ravens could land perfect playmaker to complete Chuck Pagano’s secondary

What did the Raven say to the honey badger?

Baltimore Ravens v New Orleans Saints
Baltimore Ravens v New Orleans Saints | Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages

The Baltimore Ravens wasted no time upgrading their secondary this offseason, and they may not be done yet. With Chuck Pagano back in Baltimore as the new senior defensive backs coach, the front office has a golden opportunity to give him the ultimate playmaker—Tyrann Mathieu.

Gary Davenport from Bleacher Report believes the Ravens could reshape the league with a trade for Mathieu. He stated:

"The Ravens don't have the cap space to chase huge names around, but they are in the middle of a Super Bowl window that may not stay open for much longer. If Mathieu could turn back the clock for Baltimore in 2025, he could be the most impactful trade of any of the moves featured here—or at least the one offering the most bang for the proverbial buck."

It’s no secret that Baltimore’s pass defense was a problem early on last season. The numbers were ugly, and even with Kyle Hamilton emerging as a superstar, the secondary couldn’t hold up when it mattered most in the playoffs. If the Ravens want to stay in the Super Bowl hunt, they need reinforcements. And who better than Mathieu, a three-time All-Pro and a proven ballhawk who brings veteran savvy and the kind of fire that fits this defense like a glove?

Pagano isn’t coming back to babysit a struggling unit. He’s here to turn a good defense into a great one. Adding Mathieu could be the move that takes this group over the top.

Tyran Mathieu and Kyle Hamilton would be dangerous together

Hamilton is already a unicorn—he can blitz, cover, and erase tight ends like it’s nothing. But what he needs is a true free safety next to him. Someone who can roam the deep middle, read quarterbacks, and create turnovers. That’s exactly what Mathieu brings.

If a fifth-round pick is all it takes, general manager Eric DeCosta should be dialing New Orleans immediately. He’s never been one to sit back and wait, even if there’s some risk involved. He’s always working the compensatory pick system to keep those late-round selections in his pocket, ready to flip for upgrades when the opportunity arises.

At 32, he may not be the same Honey Badger who terrorized offenses in his prime, but he still plays with elite instincts. He snagged three interceptions last season, forced multiple fumbles, and held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 76.4 when targeted. He may have lost half a step or so, but his knack for making a big play is still there.

For a defense that needs playmakers and guys who can force turnovers, this is a no-brainer. The Ravens had no issues stopping the run, but they got torched through the air too often. Pairing Mathieu with Hamilton gives Baltimore the most versatile safety duo in the league—one that can disguise coverages, confuse quarterbacks, and shut down opposing offenses at will.

And let’s not forget what Pagano does best. He’s coached elite safeties before. Ed Reed thrived under him. He helped turn Eddie Jackson into a star in Chicago. Now, he’d get to work with Hamilton and Mathieu? That’s almost unfair.

Baltimore doesn’t need to break the bank for this move, either. A fifth-round pick is a small price to pay for a leader who can help stabilize the secondary. The Ravens are in win-now mode, and Mathieu is a win-now player. Pair him with Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins, and suddenly, this secondary looks terrifying again.

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