Baltimore Ravens

When Ravens safety Malaki Starks reflected on his rookie season in May, he said it was not up to the standard he set for himself.

Starks’s opinion of his work didn’t change over the last few weeks. The 2025 first-round pick told Jeff Zrebiec of TheAthletic.com that he “probably would go C-plus, B-minus” on a report card and he also shared what he plans to do in order to raise that grade for his second season.

Starks said he is integrating pilates into his offseason workouts and has added weight after playing at 202 pounds last year. Starks said he also plans to consult a Super Bowl-winning coach.

“I’m going to get back with Jon Gruden,” Starks said. “I trained with him before the draft, so I’m going to get back with him and pick his brain a little bit. . . . It’s awesome. I trained with him for the draft. He prepped me for the draft and we’ve been really cool ever since. Just to learn from a guy like him and have him as a resource, I think it will be huge.”

The Ravens have a new head coach in Jesse Minter and Starks said that “everybody gets a new start” in that situation. A little time with Gruden is part of his plan to make the most of that fresh start.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been impressed by new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle this offseason and Jackson’s immersion into Doyle’s offense has impressed one of the quarterback’s longtime teammates.

Tight end Mark Andrews and Jackson as 2018 rookies in Baltimore, so he’s seen Jackson move through different offensive schemes while winning a pair of MVP awards. In an interview with CBSSports.com, Andrews said that Jackson has been “constantly evolving and getting better” over the years and that watching him do that over the last few months has revealed new depths to what Jackson is able to do.

“This is a different offense than we’ve been a part of since we got into the league — it’s totally different than anything we’ve done,” Andrews said. “I think [Jackson’s] going to make it his own, adapt to it and be the best that there is. That’s the type of person that he is and that’s the type of guys and coaches that we have. I think that’s a scary sight when you see Lamar Jackson adding new things to his repertoire.”

The offseason coaching changes have brought the most significant change to the Ravens’ operations since Jackson and Andrews arrived in Baltimore. If the on-field results match the offseason impressions, the new era in Baltimore will be off to a strong start.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, which means he’s already in elite company in league history. He has also never led the Ravens to the Super Bowl, which means there’s a glaring hole in his résumé. So where will Jackson stand among the league’s all-time greats when his career is over?

Jackson says it’s too soon to say.

Asked what legacy means to him now, after eight seasons in the NFL, Jackson said he isn’t thinking about it.

“That’s a good question,” Jackson said. “I really don’t have an answer for that question. I was not expecting that. I really don’t think about my legacy. I just try to be the best player I can be, keeping God first and doing what I can do when I can do it, being on the field and just trying to be the best player I can be at every moment.”

Jackson said he thinks the time to reflect on legacy will be when he’s considering whether to retire.

“I don’t really think about my legacy. Probably when I start thinking about retiring, I’ll probably be thinking about that — but not now,” Jackson said.

The 29-year-old Jackson has plenty of time left to shape his legacy. Perhaps by winning a Super Bowl MVP to go with those two regular-season MVPs.

Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins has set some big goals for his third NFL season.

During an appearance on The Journey, Wiggins listed All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections along with a Super Bowl title as his hopes for the 2026 campaign. Being at full strength would help his bid to reach any or all of those goals and Wiggins shared good news on that front as well.

Wiggins had undisclosed surgery earlier this offseason and said that he played the last two seasons at “about 60-70 percent” health. He said he feels that no one has seen “the full Nate” yet, but feels that’s coming now that he’s addressed his injury.

“They’re going to see a big transition this year,” Wiggins said. “How I move, all that. . . . I’m just so happy going into this year. I know the coaches [are] happy. They say it every day. I know it’s going to be a big year for me and I just can’t wait.”

Wiggins did not miss any games last season and finished the year with 76 tackles and three interceptions in his 17 starts.

Before the Texans nearly made it to the AFC Championship for the first time in franchise history, they started the year 0-3. Then, they shook things up by abruptly cutting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

It was a surprising move, especially since the Texans (who acquired Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Eagles) made no effort to re-trade him. They simply cut ties with him.

The Texans never provided a clear explanation of why Gardner-Johnson, who had just won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, needed to go. In a new interview with Tim Graham of The Athletic, Gardner-Johnson supplies his side of the story.

According to the player, things started to go sideways at training camp in West Virginia, after a confrontation with “the GM’s friend.”

“If y’all going to cut me, cut me,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But I’ll give nobody reasons to cut me. I haven’t. I don’t. I’m not a cancer. There’s nobody in this locker room that says, ‘Chauncey’s a problem.’ The media loves me. The only thing that’ll do it is something that triggers somebody that has a say in the building that can alter somebody else’s mind. That happens every time.

“That’s how I got [cut] in Houston. One person that’s not technically a part of the organization called me a B-word at Greenbrier. I get out my body; he says something to the GM, and the next thing I’m cut.”

The Texans declined to comment for Graham’s story. Still, the objective timeline doesn’t exactly support the effort to connect the training-camp incident to Gardner-Johnson’s release.

The Texans were at The Greenbrier from August 4 to August 7. The Texans cut him on September 23, a full 47 days after leaving West Virginia.

It had been reported that Gardner-Johnson struggled to learn the Houston defense, and that he “finger-pointed” in lieu of accepting responsibility for his mistakes. Another report indicated that the team had become exhausted by his complaints.

Whatever the reason for his exit from the Texans, Gardner-Johnson has never stayed in one place for very long. Picked by New Orleans in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, the Saints traded him to the Eagles after three seasons. After one year in Philly, he signed with the Lions. After one year with the Lions, he returned to the Eagles. After another year with the Eagles, he was traded to the Texans.

Cut after three games in Houston, Gardner-Johnson landed on the practice squad in Baltimore. One week later, the Ravens released him.

The Bears signed him in late October, and he finished 2025 in Chicago. Then, Gardner-Johnson signed with the Bills.

Seven seasons. Six departures. Gardner-Johnson can say it’s not him — and maybe it isn’t. Still, he’s made six exits in less than four calendar years (the Saints traded him to the Eagles on August 30, 2022).

On several occasions, Gardner-Johnson aired grievances after his departures. He called his year with the Lions “hell,” and he claimed he was “lied to.” He said the Eagles traded him after the team won Super Bowl LIX because they were “scared of a competitor.”

He complained to Graham about his week in Maryland: “They sign you in the middle of the night with the plan for you to play that week, then literally 14 hours later they trade for a safety and tell you, ‘Oh, we’re going to start him and keep you on the practice squad.’ I’m a Super Bowl champion!”

Despite his performance in 11 games with the Bears, Gardner-Johnson told Graham that he knew the Bears wouldn’t re-sign him.

“I’m a firecracker, but let’s take the body of work: never legally been in trouble; never physically harmed a person,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But I haven’t been a captain ever in my life. They say, ‘You gotta lead the right way.’ My definition of leading is winning. . . . There’s a lot of captains in this league — and I want this to come out — that’s just for jersey sales. I can show you three, four captains right now that I wouldn’t get behind. Why would I get behind anybody that doesn’t believe in himself? I’ve played for plenty of false captains, but I gotta fake it, like, ‘That’s my leader!’”

He knows that people already think the Bills will cut him. Bills GM Brandon Beane was nevertheless willing to roll the dice on Gardner-Johnson, after both doing the research on the player and making sure he understands the ground rules.

“We talked about just making sure, ‘You’ve got to be a good teammate,’” Beane said. “We don’t want any cheap shots in practice or anything like that. You want to keep it in between those lines, but you do want his edge.”

Implied in that message is that Beane concluded Gardner-Johnson has a reputation for not being a good teammate, and for taking cheap shots in practice.

So far, the Bills seem to like him. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonard calls Gardner-Johnson a player who “loves football,” and who “loves being in the building.”

The challenge isn’t to be in the building. The challenge is to stay in the building. Gardner-Johnson vows that he will.

“I’m going to win the next two out of three Super Bowls,” he told Graham. “How? Look where they placed me at. Look who’s my quarterback. If I got a fucking fighting chance, it’s over with.”

Frankly, that’s the kind of fire the underachieving Bills need from their new “firecracker” safety. And maybe it’ll be enough to have a “C” on Gardner-Johnson’s jersey when he walks onto the field for Buffalo’s Week 1 game at, yes, the Texans.

For the first time, the Ravens will hold an open practice at the University of Maryland.

The ticketed practice at SECU Stadium, home of the Terrapins’ football program, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1. It will be the first NFL event at the venue.

“We are excited to bring training camp to the University of Maryland and expand our connection with Ravens fans in Prince George’s County,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said in a statement released by the team. “This unique collaboration deepens our roots throughout Maryland, while allowing our team to practice at one of the nation’s best collegiate athletic facilities.”

After the practice, children from 6-12 will have an opportunity to receive autographs.

Concession stands will be open, and on-campus parking will be available for $10.

Fans can claim a free ticket to the event starting Thursday, July 9, by visiting baltimoreravens.com/stadium practice or the Ravens Mobile App.

Todd Monken’s three seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator didn’t result in a Super Bowl title, but his work in Baltimore was impressive enough to help land him the Browns’ head coaching job this offseason.

Monken gives quarterback Lamar Jackson a lot of credit for that. In an interview with Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun, Monken called Jackson a “tremendous person” and said that he “wouldn’t have this job without him.” Monken also said that he told Jackson that in response to a congratulatory text from the quarterback after landing the Cleveland post, but added that those warm feelings will only extend so far.

“Then I said, ‘go f—k yourself,’” Monken said. “We are going to blitz you every third down. He laughed.”

Jackson won the MVP in 2023 and finished second in voting in 2024, but the Ravens lost close playoff games in both of those seasons. The quarterback’s injuries helped keep them out of the playoffs in 2025 and Monken said that “everything has a shelf life” in regard to the Ravens’ decision to clean house on the coaching side after the season.

Given Cleveland’s interest, Monken may have been moving on either way and now he’ll be tasked with trying to stop a quarterback he was previously trying to lead to a championship.

For the first time in two decades, the Ravens have a new radio play-by-play announcer.

Kyle Youmans will be the third Voice of the Ravens in franchise history, the team announced today. He replaces Gerry Sandusky, who retired in April after 20 seasons on the job. Before Sandusky, Scott Garceau served as the Ravens’ radio voice for the first 10 years of the team’s existence.

“It is the honor of my career to be named the next ‘Voice of the Ravens.’ I extend my gratitude to the Ravens organization for trusting me with such a coveted role, and I offer a sincere congratulations to Gerry Sandusky for a wonderful 20 years with the Ravens and an incredible broadcasting career in Baltimore. Gerry wasn’t just a voice, he was a pillar of Baltimore sports fandom, and I look forward to building that same kind of relationship with The Flock — both through their speakers and in the community,” Youmans said.

Youmans spent the last seven seasons working on the Cowboys’ media team as an on-air reporter and producer.

It’s been an offseason of significant change for the Ravens and one of their most significant moves has been a home run for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens hired Declan Doyle as their offensive coordinator after naming Jesse Minter as their new head coach and that puts Doyle in position to call offensive plays for the first time in his career. The Ravens have not seen him do that in any games at this point, but Jackson sounded quite confident that Doyle will be successful when asked about his new coach earlier this month.

“It’s a different system than what I’m accustomed to being in, and I feel like there’s going to be a lot of explosiveness this year,” Jackson said, via a transcript from the team. “The way Declan calls plays and his creativity with his mind — how detailed he is — it’s mind-blowing. I’m excited.”

Jackson said that there were more subtle changes when the team previously changed offensive coordinators, but that “nothing really transitioned over from the last system” after Doyle was hired early this year. That’s made for a challenging offseason, albeit one that Jackson believes will result in a high level of offensive execution in the fall.

The Ravens promoted 12 members of their player personnel department, the team announced Tuesday. The following have new titles and responsibilities within the department:

Joey Cleary — Director of College Scouting: Entering his 12th year in Baltimore, Cleary spent the past two seasons as the organization’s assistant director of college scouting. He has covered numerous schools in different regions, spending time as the team’s southeast area scout (2021), west area scout (2020) and northeast area scout (2019). Cleary originally joined the Ravens as a player personnel assistant in 2015.

Sophie Corese — Assistant Director of Football Administration: Cortese enters her fourth year in Baltimore after serving as the football administration/salary cap analyst from 2023-25. She began with the Ravens as an analytics player personnel training camp intern in 2021 and worked as an offensive analyst for the Colby football team while in college.

Corey Frazier — Director of Pro Personnel: Frazier joined the Ravens as a player personnel assistant in 2017 and most recently served as the organization’s assistant director of pro personnel the past two years. He previously worked as a Ravens’ pro scout for two years (2019-20) followed by three seasons as a West Coast scout (2021-23). Before his Baltimore arrival, Frazier worked as an advance scout for Vanderbilt University (2016) and spent the 2015 NFL season with the Broncos as a scouting intern.

Nick Matteo — Vice President of Football Operations: Matteo enters his eighth season with the Ravens in 2026. He previously served as the organization’s vice president of football administration, overseeing all areas of football administration, including day-to-day salary cap management and all roster transactions. Additionally, he negotiates contracts for Ravens’ draft picks and free agents and has worked on the extensions for several standout Ravens. Matteo spent nine years (2010-18) with the NFL Management Council, eventually being promoted to the NFL’s senior director of labor operations.

David McDonald — Vice President of Football Science: McDonald enters his 12th season in Baltimore, formerly serving as the team’s vice president of research and development. He leads all software and data development aspects of the player personnel department. McDonald spent five years (2019-23) as the Ravens’ director of research and development after joining the organization in 2015 as a football systems developer. He previously spent five years (2010-14) with the Falcons as a football systems developer.

Andrew Raphael — Assistant Director of Player Personnel: Raphael enters his 14th season with the Ravens after serving as the director of college scouting for the past two seasons (2024-25). He previously spent three seasons (2021-23) as a national scout following five years (2016-20) as Baltimore’s Southeast area scout. Raphael originally joined the Ravens as a player personnel intern (2013-14) before being promoted to player personnel assistant in 2015. Prior to his NFL arrival, Raphael served as an assistant recruiting coordinator at Boston College (2011-12).

Bobby Vega — Assistant Director of Player Personnel: Vega begins his ninth season in Baltimore and 22nd season in the NFL, earning a promotion for the second consecutive year after being elevated to senior personnel executive in 2025. He previously spent two seasons (2023-24) as a national scout after serving as the team’s east area scout from 2018-22. Vega’s NFL career began as an intern in 2004 with Baltimore’s player personnel department, followed by 13 seasons (2005-17) with the Browns, before returning to the Ravens in 2018.

JoJo Wooden — West Coast Area Scout: Wooden joins the Ravens in 2026 with a wealth of experience across NFL front offices. Most recently, he spent the 2024 season as the senior director of player personnel for the Raiders. He also had an 11-year stint as the director of player personnel for the Chargers, serving as the interim General Manager at the end of the 2023 season. He got his start in the NFL with the Jets as a pro personnel assistant in 1997, working his way through the ranks over 16 seasons (1997-2012), spending his final six seasons as the team’s assistant director of player personnel.

Joe Morena — Northeast Area Scout: Moreno begins his third season in Baltimore in 2026 after serving as a player personnel assistant the past two seasons (2024-25). He previously spent three seasons as the director of player personnel at Southern Miss (2021-23), where he was the lead staffer in charge of recruiting. Moreno got his start in collegiate athletics, spending time as a recruiting intern at Harvard (2018) and Stanford (2018-19) before being hired as a player personnel graduate assistant at Auburn (2019-20).

David Kang — Senior Data Scientist: Kang enters his second season with the Ravens after joining the club in 2025 as a quantitative analyst. He spent four years as a senior data scientist at Apple before joining the NFL. Kang graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina before earning a master’s degree in statistics from Stanford.

Connor Gorny — Applied Sports Scientist: Gorny is entering his third season with the Ravens. He previously was an assistant strength and conditioning coach and football sport science coordinator in 2023 at Rice University, following one season as assistant sports performance coach and sport science coordinator for football at the University of Colorado. Gorny also spent time as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Utah State University (2019-20) and as the head of athletic performance for Real Salt Lake Academy (2020-21).

TJ Ajibola — Pro Scout: Ajibola enters his eighth season with the Ravens, serving as a player personnel assistant for the organization since 2019. He spent two years (2017-18) as a management trainee at Enterprise Holdings.