The Baltimore Ravens and Head Coach John Harbaugh take pride in their special teams dominance. It is one of the most important parts of the game, and if you cannot prove yourself in that area, then it could be a struggle to find the field in Baltimore. In 2025, they will have plenty of key contributors on special teams.
Rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester and veteran linebacker Jake Hummel were difference makers in Week 2. Wester made his presence known as a punt returner late in the first quarter, taking one across midfield for 23 yards. That set up shop for a Tyler Loop 43-yard field goal to put the Ravens on top.
Hummel also made a highlight reel play that led to points. He snuck through the Browns’ line on a Corey Bojorquez punt, blocking it and giving the Ravens’ offense the ball at the Cleveland 24-yard line. They scored a touchdown two plays later on a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Tylan Wallace.
Ravens special teams ace Jake Hummel punt BLOCKpic.twitter.com/MSMJVHTLge
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) September 14, 2025
It didn't even take two weeks for Ravens' special teams to emerge as 2025 x-factor
The Ravens needed a jolt on special teams. The 2024 campaign was a disastrous year from that standpoint. Punter Jordan Stout was inconsistent, kicker Justin Tucker struggled significantly, and the return units failed to bring any sort of electricity. That seems to be changing in 2025, though.
General Manager Eric DeCosta and Harbaugh prioritized special teams heavily in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. They signed Hummel to a one-year, $1.2 million deal in March, who is expected to be their special teams ace this season. Wester and Loop were both sixth-round selections in April’s draft, bringing in what scouts and coaches believed to be the best punt returner and kicker available.
Those acquisitions are already paying off in a big way. Wester looks to have the juice of a Pro Bowl-level returner, Loop is handling the pressure early, Stout is finding a rhythm, and Hummel is already making game-changing plays.