Ravens Face Key Questions as Minter Embraces Championship Expectations
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In his first meeting with players, new Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter didn’t shy away from the franchise’s ultimate goal. He displayed the date, time, and location of the Super Bowl, making the standard clear from day one.
“I know what they want to accomplish,” Minter said. “I know what we’ve kind of set out as our goals. It’s really not about anything else. And so I think you go to work every day to try to put the team in position to be able to achieve those things. We know what the standards around this place have been and where we want to go.”
The oddsmakers agree. According to DraftKings, Baltimore is tied with the Buffalo Bills for the second-best Super Bowl odds (-1000) and matches the Los Angeles Rams with the highest projected win total at 11.5. Yet, despite the heightened expectations, the Ravens must resolve several critical roster questions before the season opener in Indianapolis.
Kicker Competition Heats Up Between Tyler Loop and Jake Moody
The most immediate concern is at kicker. Minter expects Tyler Loop to enter the regular season as the starter, but his preseason performance has invited competition. Loop missed three of eight field goal attempts in the preseason, prompting the Ravens to sign veteran Jake Moody to the practice squad.
“We have got to make kicks,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “[It gives us a] fresh set of legs to look at, evaluate, compare, see how it all works out. In the end, it is a performance business, right? Looking at it this preseason, we decided it was probably worthwhile to bring somebody else in to see how they look.”
Loop had built momentum with a strong training camp, seemingly moving past the missed kick in Pittsburgh that ended Baltimore’s 2025 season. However, he subsequently missed attempts from 49, 51, and 58 yards in preseason action. Moody offers a proven track record, going 18-of-20 (90%) last season for the Bears and Commanders, and possesses the leg strength for AFC North winters — highlighted by a 56-yard make in a 28-degree wind chill in Philadelphia.
“Coach I am ready for it. I understand what is going on, and I am going to accept this challenge.”
That was Loop’s response when special teams coordinator Anthony Levine informed him of Moody’s signing, signaling the rookie’s readiness to compete.
Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Nnamdi Madubuike Nearing Return
The Ravens are optimistic that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will play within the first four games, which is why they avoided placing him on injured reserve. Madubuike is recovering from a career-threatening neck injury that sidelined him for the final 15 games of last season and required April surgery. His last game action was September 14, nearly a full year ago.
“I am probably more bullish on that right now than I even have been,” DeCosta said. “So, we feel really good about it.”
His ramp-up has been cautious; he participated in individual and positional drills throughout training camp before taking limited team reps last week.
“What that looks like for Week 1, I think it is still a day-to-day thing, I would say,” Minter said. “But, we certainly have seen some things that indicate great things ahead for Nnamdi.”
Madubuike’s return would fortify a pass rush that already features edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. From the start of 2023 until his injury, Madubuike’s 21.5 sacks led all NFL defensive tackles.
“I am as encouraged now as I have ever been about Nnamdi,” DeCosta said. “We are very excited when we look at him and what he brings on our defense.”
Center Battle: Jovaughn Gwyn vs. Ethan Pocic
With three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum departing for the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore has yet to name a starter. Minter indicated a decision between Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic will come when players return Tuesday to begin Week 1 preparations.
“I feel confident that we will go into game week with that pecking order for Week 1,” Minter said.
The competition shifted when Danny Pinter, who appeared close to winning the job, suffered a season-ending right knee injury on August 20. Gwyn, the current front-runner, has only 11 offensive snaps across three NFL seasons. Pocic brings 97 career starts but is returning from a torn Achilles suffered in December.
“I feel really good about how both of those guys have responded with the reps we have given them, but that is where we are at right now,” Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said.
The team may employ a timeshare, with Gwyn starting early and Pocic taking over once fully recovered.
Rashod Bateman’s Suspension Looms as Legal Process Continues
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman’s status remains uncertain. He was arrested in June on family violence charges after allegedly smashing the windshield of a vehicle carrying his 3-month-old daughter and her mother. Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the baseline suspension for family violence violations is six games.
“It is obviously something that we are very disappointed about [and] that we have to deal with these kind of things,” DeCosta said. “I think right now, [it is] a little bit of a distraction at some points. … In these matters, we just really kind of sit back and wait for the league and for the authorities to kind of tell us what is going on. We will wait.”
Bateman, the team’s No. 2 receiver, continues to practice. If he is sidelined, rookie third-round pick Ja’Kobi Lane — a standout in training camp — would see an expanded role.
“We feel like we have got a young group of receivers — a bunch of guys that can make plays,” DeCosta said. “[I am] excited about that. We will just have to wait and see what happens.”
