Another postseason run has been cut short for the Baltimore Ravens, and once again, the future of the roster looks murky following a 27-25 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
Several key players have contracts set to expire when the middle of March comes around. More of them could be salary cap casualties as the 2025 team will take whatever shape it’s supposed to take.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey has seen it all before in his eight years in the Charm City, including that other Divisional Round loss to Buffalo back in 2021, and not even he knows what’s next for him and the team as a whole.
Marlon Humphrey keeps it real, and ominous
There’s not much to say in terms of positivity after the season ends in heartbreaking fashion. It stings even more when it feels like the window is just about closed with the group in the locker room.
When asked about the message to the team after the defeat, Humphrey didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts.
“Man, honestly, this sounds kind of, just not really a great answer, but there’s only a select few people that know they’re gonna be here next year,” Humphrey said. “There really ain’t a true message, like this team is done. So obviously, there’s a message to go. But you know, when I look at it, you know some guys will be here, some guys won’t. Who knows what?”
Humphrey knows which group he falls in. He may not be a free agent this offseason, but he’ll be 29 next season and the Ravens only owe him non-guaranteed salaries going forward.
“I know I got no more years guaranteed on this contract,” Humphrey said. “So whatever message you have, you could be on the same team you could be on another team. Some guys will stay. Some guys will leave. I fall into that same bucket.”
The more obvious names to look at are Ronnie Stanley, Marcus Williams, Patrick Mekari, Brent Urban, and Patrick Ricard, all free agents when the new league year begins. Tight end Mark Andrews, who had the game to forget, is also a possible cap casualty.
Baltimore went through so much change over the past 12 months. Adapting to a new direction on defense after Mike Macdonald left for the Seattle Seahawks this time last year, big names on that side of the ball leaving, and overcoming the tragic death of offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris right before the season began.
All obstacles that were avoided on the way to a second consecutive AFC North title. All of it feels insignificant after another playoff exit before the Super Bowl.
Humphrey’s words may be foreshadowing the weeks to come for the Ravens, but perhaps more change would do the team good in the quest to get over the hump. Whether or not he’ll be here to witness it is for us to find out.
