The Baltimore Ravens’ defense, a unit legendary for its physicality and discipline, stumbled hard last season, giving up 23.4 points per game in 2025. That number landed them at a dismal 18th place in the league, a far cry from the top-tier standard fans have grown to expect from the franchise. This isn’t just about bad luck, either, the numbers expose some major issues that defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and play-caller Jesse Minter have to fix, and fast, for the upcoming 2026 season.
The Passing Game is Killing Them
Look, the scoreboard is one thing, but how teams are getting those points tells an even worse story. The Ravens defense was just *leaking* passing yards, giving up 259 through the air every single game. That ranks them 29th in the NFL, which is flat-out shocking for a team with their talent. When you add that to the 354.5 total yards per contest they allowed, good for 24th overall, it’s clear the whole unit struggled to slow down opposing offenses. Communication has to get better, the secondary needs to get healthy, and the pass rush simply has to get more disruptive. You cannot win games in this league letting teams throw the ball all over the field like that.
Where Did the Pass Rush Go?
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the Ravens’ defensive slide? The pass rush basically disappeared in 2025. After an impressive 54 sacks in 2024, they only managed a measly 30 sacks last season, tying them for 28th in the entire NFL. That’s a huge drop, and it shows. Their quarterback pressure rate ranked 29th, meaning opposing QBs had all day to stand back there and pick them apart. When the quarterback isn’t uncomfortable, everything becomes easy for the offense. Whether it’s better four-person pressure, smarter blitz packages, or just individual guys stepping up, getting after the quarterback has to be a major focus again.
Turnovers and Hamilton’s Talent Left on the Table
Great defenses don’t just stop drives, they create new opportunities. The Ravens forced 20 turnovers in 2025, which isn’t terrible, but their offense gave the ball away 23 times. That minus-three turnover differential is a problem. While it’s not all on the defense, more takeaways change everything. Short fields, momentum swings, and winning close games all come from creating those extra possessions. On top of that, you’ve got Kyle Hamilton, who is a legitimately unique defensive weapon, called the game’s best at his position by those in the know. He can play safety, nickel, linebacker, even rush the passer. Yet, if the unit isn’t performing, are they truly maximizing his versatility? Weaver has playmakers, now they need to turn potential into game-changing takeaways for 2026.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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