Simply put, the Ravens are loaded. The offense is probably boasting the strongest unit of players Baltimore has fielded in more than a few years. The defense has missed some pieces this offseason but they are still packed full of talent.
And hey, it's never too late to sign a solid veteran to improve the roster entering the most important part of the summer, is it?
That might be the case when it comes to Baltimore adding some warm bodies to both the cornerback and the edge rusher positions in the Ravens' depth chart.
About the latter role in particular, beat reporter Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com wrote a few days ago that he expects former Raven Justin Houston to "be back in Baltimore" through the remainder of the preseason and heading into 2023.
Brown has no doubt about what lies ahead for both the Ravens and Houston, and the beat reporter is convinced both parties are bound for a reunion.
"Until Justin Houston signs elsewhere, I'll continue to believe he'll be back in Baltimore. I'm not worried about the Ravens' pass rush yet, but it's hard to ignore that Houston led the team with 9.5 sacks last season. His return would be welcomed."Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com
If you feel like you're in the Matrix and feeling some sort of Deja Vu, don't worry. That's probably because you've heard and read this story already. In the last two years, Houston and Baltimore inked one-year pacts with each other in the hot summer days of July (first) and August (last year).
At the end of last season, in January, Houston told the very own Brown over the official Ravens website that he "isn't retiring" and that he "would like to return to the Ravens."
""The way I feel right now – I'll be back. We'll see if the chips work out, and I'll be here. That's out of my control. We'll see what they do. I'd like to be back here.""Justin Houston (Jan. 2023)
As Houston said, that doesn't really depend on him exclusively but rather on the Ravens extending him an offer first. That, however, seems like a fait accompli considering the past relationship and ways of working on contracts between the player and the organization.
Two years ago, Houston signed with Baltimore with the training camp already started. Last year, he inked his one-year deal barely a week into July. Expect (positive) news on the Justin Houston front coming soon. It is happening.