John Harbaugh offers promising rookie update Ravens fans have been dying to hear

Stunningly, the Baltimore Ravens enter their Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals perched atop the AFC North. Their win over the New York Jets this past Sunday was not pretty, but they are clearly one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

Ravens fans can be thankful for Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr, who has led a defensive renaissance following their Week 7 bye. Versatile safety Kyle Hamilton has been perhaps the biggest factor in this surge, but so have several other impactful defenders.

Stars in linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive tackle Travis Jones have helped change the tone. However, the players who have played the most undeniable role in recent weeks have been the rookie starters.

Safety Malaki Starks, outside linebacker Mike Green, and linebacker Teddye Buchanan needed some time to adjust, but now, they are hitting their stride. In Green’s case, he has the pass rush group rolling.

John Harbaugh provides encouraging Mike Green update

During Tuesday’s press conference, Head Coach John Harbaugh noted how far Green has come. While the defense had significant troubles for most of the 2025 campaign, Green’s development comes at the perfect time, and he is becoming a big-time playmaker.

“[Green] is amping it up. He’s making some plays,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been pressuring the quarterback. I think the pass rush is really starting to heat up. [He’s] one of the more advanced young all-around players we’ve had in a while. He looks good.”

The Ravens still rank just 29th in the league in total sacks with 18, but the pressure rates are up, and Green is helping the defense find success off the edge.

Green leads the team in sacks this year with 2.5. Yes, you read that right. He leads the team. However, all 2.5 sacks have come in his last five outings. The 2025 second-round pick is also coming off his best game of his career up to this point.

In Week 12, he accounted for 0.5 sacks, three hurries, and five tackles. He registered a 78.0 defensive grade per Pro Football Focus, including a 77.5 run defense grade. Both numbers were by far his best single-game performances.

Entering their Thanksgiving showdown with the Bengals, Green matches up against an opposing offensive line that has been inconsistent this season. Throw in the fact that returning quarterback Joe Burrow is likely not 100 percent recovered from his turf toe injury, and his ability to avoid sacks could take a hit.

On Thursday, Green has the perfect stage to prove to the entire NFL world that he is on the path to stardom.