Despite still having a shot at the playoffs entering Week 18, the Baltimore Ravens have endured an extremely underwhelming season in 2025. They sit at 8-8, entering a winner-takes-all battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
Even if the Ravens manage to make the postseason, there are plenty of decisions to be made. It feels like every week has been a struggle, and as a result, coaching questions have been brought to the table. There are also several players who have been under fire due to lackluster performance this year.
It’s clear the 2026 team will be significantly different, and with such a stacked list of players set to hit free agency, General Manager Eric DeCosta has his hands full.
Every Ravens player entering their final game under contract
Keaton Mitchell (RFA), Dayton Wade (ERFA), Corey Bullock (ERFA)
It shouldn’t be a shock if the Ravens retained all of these players. Running back Keaton Mitchell is a must-have player to return in 2026. He has flashed his playmaking ability in the second half and is proving to be the perfect complement to lead back Derrick Henry.
Wide receiver Dayton Wade and offensive lineman Corey Bullock could return, as well. The two impressed in preseason, with the latter earning a spot on the 53-man roster this year. For Wade, his season was lost due to a rib injury, but he was a preseason standout for a second straight year.
C Tyler Linderbaum
Center Tyler Linderbaum is perhaps the biggest prize of free agency in 2026. The 25-year-old was named to his third-straight Pro Bowl, and did his best to carry a struggling Ravens’ offensive line. Linderbaum is an elite run blocker, and while his pass blocking can be inconsistent at times, he remains above-average there. He is a top-two center in the NFL, and DeCosta should pay him whatever he wants.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was the steal of the 2025 offseason. Baltimore signed him for just $1.255 million, and he was the team’s best corner this season. While Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s secondary struggled, Awuzie’s consistent play week-after-week was a breath of fresh air. With so much uncertainty surrounding the corner room, Awuzie needs to be brought back.
EDGE Dre’Mont Jones
The decision with outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones should be easy: extend him. The Ravens traded for him just ahead of trade deadline day, and while his 2.5 sacks don’t jump off the page, he was a key piece to a pass rush that was otherwise inept. His veteran presence and feisty demeanor also add a dimension that Baltimore’s defense has been missing.
FB Patrick Ricard
Fullback Patrick Ricard is a Raven for life. Not many teams use fullbacks at the rate Baltimore does, but Ricard’s presence plays a major role. He is a people mover in the run game, and it seems like he can deliver a game-changing block whenever the team needs it. With a fullback, money shouldn’t be an issue either.
S Alohi Gilman
The decision on safety Alohi Gilman will be tough. On one hand, he helped bring life to a defense that was on a historically bad pace through the first five weeks. On the other hand, his missed tackle rate is frighteningly high. The potential move could depend on what DeCosta does with fellow safety Ar’Darius Washington.
S Ar’Darius Washington
Speaking of Washington, he is also a free agent. He missed most of the year with a torn Achilles, but returned in Week 15. He has been eased back into the rotation, but remains one of the most versatile pieces on Baltimore’s defense. It will likely come down between Washington and Gilman, or maybe even neither. It all depends on how DeCosta manages the cap space.
OL Daniel Faalele
Talk about a polarizing player. No starter has been talked about more in 2025 than right guard Daniel Faalele. People have called for his benching since Week 1, but it’s clear the team’s offensive guard depth is shallow. Faalele was abysmal, though, and DeCosta must turn over every stone to find his replacement to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson.
EDGE Kyle Van Noy
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy is another pass rusher set to hit free agency after the season’s done. After back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns, Van Noy has been extremely underwhelming. He has just two sacks, and at 34, the regression curve may finally be hitting. His time in Charm City should be up.
TE Isaiah Likely
After looking like the team’s future at tight end, Isaiah Likely may be in search of a new home in 2026. The Ravens inked an extension with franchise tight end Mark Andrews in early December. Likely has also struggled this year, posting just 25 receptions for 275 yards and one touchdown.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a solid rotational option in 2025. Whenever the ball is thrown his way, he comes down with it. He hasn’t seen ample opportunities, but of his 22 receptions, 330 yards, and two touchdowns, most have come in clutch situations. 15 of those catches have gone for first downs. He is 33 years old, but if he wants to come back, it could be wise to keep him as a bigger-bodied depth option.
P Jordan Stout
Punter Jordan Stout is having the best year of his career. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod and is unleashing booming kicks that are flipping the field. It seems he has officially emerged as the heir to Sam Koch, and the Ravens should probably keep him around until retirement. He feels like a Baltimore-lifer.
TE Charlie Kolar
Tight end Charlie Kolar has become a fan favorite this season. Off the field, his personality is infectious. On the field, he has developed into a dominant run blocker and a reliable pass catcher when given the opportunity. Although the Ravens already locked in a ton of money on Andrews, the front office needs to find a way to keep Kolar on this team.
DL John Jenkins
Nose tackle John Jenkins signed with the Ravens late in the offseason, but has been a big-time contributor in 2025. He has done a strong job of replacing Michael Piece, creating a force field alongside defensive tackle Travis Jones. The 36-year-old could be contemplating retirement, and Baltimore could be looking to make a move toward the youth movement via the 2026 NFL Draft, but Jenkins undoubtedly made a case to come back.
LS Nick Moore
Like Stout, long snapper Nick Moore is another special teamer excelling in 2025. He has done an excellent job since taking over for Morgan Cox in 2021. DeCosta should look to keep the trio of Stout, Moore, and rookie kicker Tyler Loop together moving forward.
Upcoming Ravens free agents who are backend roster/practice squad players
- WR Tylan Wallace
- OL Joe Noteboom
- OL Ben Cleveland
- LB Jake Hummel
- EDGE David Ojabo
Most of these guys will only play on special teams if they even make next year’s roster.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace has nearly seen his role relegated to special teams coverage only in 2025.
Offensive linemen Joe Noteboom and Ben Cleveland have been depth options this year and have lost out on snaps to rookies Emery Jones Jr. and Carson Vinson at times throughout the season.
Linebacker Jake Hummel was brought in as a special teams ace, and knowing Head Coach John Harbaugh’s love for special teams, he could return in 2026.
Outside linebacker David Ojabo has been incredibly disappointing since being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He will likely be looking for a fresh start elsewhere.