The Baltimore Ravens had a season from hell in 2025.
Injuries to key players, inconsistent form, and ultimately missing the playoffs, the sooner this season is forgotten, the better.
But with John Harbaugh out as head coach, Lamar Jackson will have a new voice in his ear, with Todd Monken also out as offensive coordinator.
With so much change happening for a usually stable organization, is there any reason to suggest that 2026 will be different from 2025?
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards has given Ravens fans one reason for optimism in 2026, and in truth, it's a rather easy one to guess.
"As long as Lamar Jackson is around and healthy, Baltimore should always be in the conversation,” Edwards wrote. “They just need to find a few more guys who fit the culture on defense. Fortunately, they do as well as anyone stockpiling draft assets and giving themselves more bites at the apple.”
More: Why Ravens owner was right to fire John Harbaugh
Lamar Jackson needs bounce-back season in 2026
It wasn't a good year for Lamar.
Injuries, inconsistent play, plus his practice "schedule" led to a lot of criticism.
Jackson had his fewest TDs and passing yards since 2022, the most interceptions since 2021, and had a 6-7 record.
That won't cut it.
And next season, hopefully being fully healthy, Lamar, with a new head coach and offensive coordinator, can rediscover his MVP-level form.
Because missing the playoffs this season, while not ideal, there were circumstances to it. But miss next season? Yeah, that's nightmare fuel.
More Ravens news:
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- Ravens urged to sign Super Bowl champion WR to 'invigorate' Lamar Jackson
- Why Ravens must fix $74.5 million Lamar Jackson problem
- Ravens coach squashes reported relationship rift with John Harbaugh and locker room