The Baltimore Ravens’ season-ending 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills has left players and fans alike reeling, but few put the sting of defeat into words as bluntly as Marlon Humphrey. The All-Pro cornerback, visibly frustrated in the aftermath, didn’t mince words about the team’s uncertain future.
“This team is done,” Humphrey said. “Some guys will be here, some guys won’t. Who knows what?” It’s not the rallying cry Ravens fans hoped for, but it’s a stark reflection of where the franchise stands after yet another premature playoff exit.
CB Marlon Humphrey: “This team is done. … Some guys will be here, some guys won’t” pic.twitter.com/vjBxIldYzC
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) January 20, 2025
The Ravens outgained the Bills and nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback, but turnovers and missed opportunities spelled their doom. It’s a script that’s all too familiar for a team that has consistently fallen short of expectations during the Lamar Jackson era.
Humphrey’s comments didn’t just capture the emotional weight of the loss—they laid out the real possibility of significant offseason changes.
With the team facing a tight salary cap (around $17 million per over the cap) and several key contributors, including Humphrey, carrying hefty contracts, the Ravens are at a crossroads. Humphrey, who signed a five-year, $97.5 million extension in 2020, is now entering the final non-guaranteed years of his deal. The Ravens could save over $12 million in cap space by moving on, making him a potential casualty of the team’s cap constraints.
Marlon Humphrey’s honest assessment points to uncertain future
Humphrey’s postgame remarks weren’t just venting—they were a pointed acknowledgment of the business side of the NFL. “I know I got no more years guaranteed on this contract,” Humphrey admitted. “You could be on this team. You could be on another team. I fall into that same bucket.” For a player who has been the backbone of the Ravens’ defense for eight seasons, it’s a sobering reality.
The Ravens’ front office faces tough decisions this offseason. Humphrey’s $25.4 million cap hit for 2025 is second only to Lamar Jackson’s, and while his production remains strong, he’ll turn 29 next season—an age where corners often see a decline.
Cutting or trading him would save significant cap space, but it would also create a gaping hole in a secondary that already struggled with depth this year.
Baltimore’s cap situation isn’t the only factor. The team’s consistent playoff struggles, including a 1-4 record in their last five playoff games, demand a hard look at the roster. General Manager Eric DeCosta has built one of the best units in the league, but talent alone hasn’t translated to postseason success.
Humphrey’s pointed comments suggest he knows changes are inevitable, even if those changes include himself.
The bigger question is whether the Ravens will opt for a full-scale overhaul or a measured retool. For all their heartbreak, this is still a team with an MVP quarterback, a dominant rushing attack, and a top-10 defense (when it wants to be). A few tweaks could be all they need to break the playoff curse—but Humphrey’s uncertainty serves as a stark reminder that nothing is guaranteed in Baltimore.
If this was Humphrey’s last game as a Raven, it’s a tough way to go out.
But his honesty, much like his play, reflects the grit and passion that have made him a fan favorite. The Ravens might be done for this season, but the road ahead is far from over. Whether Humphrey will be part of that journey remains to be seen.