The Baltimore Ravens didn't have any reason to buy at the NFL trade deadline entering Week 9. They were on a three-game skid and lost Lamar Jackson to IR. After their Thursday night game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, that’s become a four-game losing streak, and an ugly one at that.
Eric DeCosta might now have his answer for how Baltimore plays the deadline. Buying was never an answer, but would they stand pat or sell? After that Week 9 disaster, their plans may signal sellers.
It’s not a guarantee, and maybe the Ravens have hope that Jackson returns and saves this team. However, things are starting to fade. The offense is limited by an unplayable offensive line; the defense lacks consistency and allows countless explosive plays; special teams doesn’t do anything of note.
If that doesn’t scream sell, I don’t know what does.
Baltimore Ravens should contemplate selling at the trade deadline after Week 9 disappointment
If the Ravens buy at the trade deadline, they’d be fools. Yes, they traded for Jacoby Brissett — that’s assumed to be a buy-low trade, and they probably dealt nothing more than a late-round pick.
Week 9 made it clear they needed a competitive QB like Brissett. You have to guarantee this team that much. But their trades shouldn’t go much beyond that.
While it sucks to say, it may be time to move aging veterans and players who won’t be around for the long haul. I’m talking about Calais Campbell, Chidobe Awuzie…maybe even Derrick Henry?
Campbell and Awuzie feel like sure things if Eric DeCosta does go in the selling direction. Both are old defensive players on one-year contracts. Campbell is nearing retirement, and Awuzie hasn’t latched onto a real role on Jesse Minter’s defense in 2026.
It’s unlikely either will be in Charm City in 2027.
Let’s dive deeper into that Henry conversation, though, because it’s highly debatable, and even I’m not sold.
Henry hasn’t fallen off, but he doesn’t look the same. Two things can be true. Unfortunately, he doesn’t appear to have that same burst, and when you can’t convert speed to power and run through the face of would-be tacklers in short areas, you won’t be as dominant.
Obviously, the offensive line is hurting the 32-year-old. He hasn’t had much room to build up speed, and his upright running style makes him an easy target in those scenarios. Still, this isn’t about whether he’s productive; it’s about whether he’s a trade candidate.
With his contract running through 2027, if the Ravens feel Henry is losing a step, they may want to attack on a trade. Again, he’s 32, and another year on a running back body could be a disaster. If they don’t feel like they’re going anywhere this year, it might be best to capitalize on Henry’s value.
I’d be hesitant, but there’s a conversation worth having.
Baltimore Ravens have no reason to buy at the trade deadline
Baltimore is hopelessly clinging to any bit of confidence that they can make something of this season. They’ve played nine games and have looked like the same unreliable team — you can’t convince fans something will change.
Sure, Brissett could bring more optimism. Can he outscore opposing offenses with how the defense has performed? Probably not.
Maybe Lamar Jackson returns later in the year. Four weeks down the line, at minimum, feels like it’d be too little, too late.
Simply put, this is a 4-5 team in the midst of freefalling. The offense looks worse each week, and the defense can’t get out of its own way. Despite more stops coming around defensively, the inevitable big plays flood through the gates.
The Ravens are just not a team you can look at and say, ‘Yeah, I’ll trade more draft picks.’
They’re already down a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick after trading for Cam Jurgens. They’ll be down another pick once the Brissett deal is finalized. The trading of assets needs to stop there.
They shouldn’t take, but they should trade players where it makes sense.
Add us as a preferred source on Google