The Baltimore Ravens were missing a spark on defense in 2024. They were left unsatisfied with the number of turnovers forced, and although they turned it around late in the year, it was a failure from a defensive standpoint.
In response, general manager Eric DeCosta reinvented the secondary this offseason. He drafted Malaki Starks with Baltimore’s first-round selection, added veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie, and made a massive splash by signing two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander.
The Alexander move looks like the steal of the offseason, and he is already helping turn the tide. It is not just the play, though; it is the mood, too.
Since landing in Baltimore, the 28-year-old has made various highlight plays, but he is also adding some swagger to the defense. For a defense that already has All-Pro corner Marlon Humphrey bringing the energy on every down, Alexander is amplifying that to another level.
Jaire Alexander is bringing a spark to a loaded secondary in 2025
Iron sharpens iron, and the Ravens' offense is finding that out the hard way in training camp. Their recharged defense is making it difficult on last year's league-leading offense, but that is a great thing knowing where the defensive unit was just a year ago.
In Zach Orr’s first year as defensive coordinator, he struggled in the early going. He orchestrated a tremendous late-season turnaround, but the pass defense still finished the year 31st in yards allowed. In camp, Alexander and the other key additions have made them look outstanding in that phase of the game.
If the play does not clearly signify what to expect from Baltimore's defense in 2025, then the players' praise certainly does. Star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike preached Alexander’s impact following the joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts. Madubuike said:
“[He brings] hype, energy, everything we need in a Raven defense. He’s a great player, great person, just brings the energy.”
From an offensive perspective, two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke of what he has seen from the defense in recent weeks.
“Those guys are ballhawks, and I see it each and every day.”
Jackson also praised Alexander for the energy he has brought since signing just two months ago.
“He celebrated against me,” Jackson said. “I got that a lot in practice back in college, so I’m used to that. But that’s my brother. I love that we got him on our team, and I’m looking for a lot out of him this season.”
Alexander is already playing like a Raven on and off the field. It should help lead to league dominance on the defensive side and bring Baltimore back to the top of the NFL in that regard.