NFL Free Agency: 9 Ravens Players Poised to Fly the Nest in 2025

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 season ended in the cruelest fashion: a 26-24 loss in Pittsburgh sealed by a missed 44-yard field goal from rookie kicker Tyler Loop as time expired. That moment not only closed a chapter but triggered a significant organizational reset. With head coach John Harbaugh departing for the New York Giants, the Ravens turned to a familiar face, luring defensive mastermind Jesse Minter back from the Los Angeles Chargers to become the franchise’s fourth head coach. As Minter builds his staff—hiring Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator and former Raven Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator—the front office, led by Eric DeCosta, faces a pivotal offseason. With 22 unrestricted free agents initially on the ledger and the new league year fast approaching, tough financial decisions loom. While cornerstone extensions for Kyle Hamilton and Mark Andrews provide stability, the Ravens’ cap sheet means several key contributors from the 2024 squad are likely to find new homes. Here are nine Ravens players who seem destined to depart in free agency.

The Cap Crunch Reality in Baltimore

The business of the NFL waits for no one, not even a team dealing with coaching turnover and a heartbreaking finale. Eric DeCosta is one of the league’s most creative team builders, but even he cannot retain everyone. The extensions for All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and tight end Mark Andrews were essential but expensive, consuming significant future cap space. Furthermore, the trade of edge rusher Odafe Oweh, once a prime candidate for the franchise tag, signaled a willingness to make bold, cost-cutting moves. With the early negotiation window opening on March 9 and free agency beginning March 11, the Ravens must prioritize. The following players, due to market value, roster redundancy, or the team’s strategic direction, appear to be on the way out.

The High-Profile Departures

These players have likely priced themselves out of Baltimore’s range or fill a role the Ravens believe they can address more affordably.

Tyler Linderbaum, Center: This is the toughest potential loss. Linderbaum developed into a top-five center and the anchor of the offensive line. However, the interior offensive line market has exploded, and Linderbaum is poised to become the league’s highest-paid center. With significant money already invested in the offensive line and other glaring needs, the Ravens may make the painful but fiscally responsible choice to let a homegrown star walk, relying on their strong track record of developing interior linemen.

Dre’Mont Jones, Defensive Tackle: Jones was a productive, disruptive force on the defensive interior after being acquired in a mid-season trade. His skill set as a pass-rushing 3-tech is highly valued across the league. With Anthony Weaver taking over the defense, his preference for defensive linemen may shift, and the Ravens have historically been reluctant to sink massive long-term resources into the defensive tackle position. Jones will command a major payday Baltimore is unlikely to match.

Kyle Van Noy, Edge Rusher: The veteran was a revelation, leading the team in sacks and providing invaluable leadership. However, he will be 34 when the season starts and is coming off a career-year contract drive. The Ravens have a history of cycling through productive veteran pass rushers on short-term deals. While a return is never impossible, Van Noy will likely seek a final multi-year contract and a larger guaranteed sum than Baltimore will be comfortable offering an aging player.

The Value Players Seeking a Payday

These contributors outperformed their contracts and will seek well-earned raises the Ravens may not be able to facilitate.

Isaiah Likely, Tight End: The extension for Mark Andrews sealed Likely’s fate. A phenomenal talent in his own right, Likely has shown he is a starting-caliber tight end in the NFL. With Andrews locked up long-term, Likely’s path to true TE1 targets in Baltimore is blocked. He will have a robust market of teams willing to pay him to be their primary pass-catching tight end, an opportunity both he and his agents will eagerly pursue.

Alohi Gilman, Safety: A versatile and intelligent defensive back, Gilman played at a high level next to Kyle Hamilton. However, with Hamilton’s mega-deal on the books, allocating starter-level money to the other safety position is a luxury. The Ravens have successfully developed late-round and undrafted safeties for years. Gilman, entering his prime, will find a market eager for a reliable, communicative safety, leaving Baltimore to find a cheaper alternative.

Chidobe Awuzie, Cornerback: The veteran was a steadying presence in the secondary, but his role diminished as the season progressed with the emergence of younger players. Awuzie is a savvy professional who can still help a contender, but the Ravens are likely to get younger and more athletic at the cornerback position. His departure will open up snaps and cap space for the next wave of defensive back talent.

The Specialists and Depth Pieces

Roster churn is inevitable, and these roles are often in flux from year to year.

• Ar’Darius Washington, Nickel Corner/Safety: A useful and versatile depth piece, Washington has shown flashes but struggled with consistency and health. In a competitive defensive back room, the Ravens may look for an upgrade or a more specialized player at the nickel spot, allowing Washington to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
• Tyler Loop, Kicker: While the missed kick in Pittsburgh was a brutal end to his rookie season, Loop was otherwise solid. However, the psychological weight of that moment for both player and organization cannot be ignored. Coach Minter may want a completely clean slate, leading the team to bring in veteran competition or a new rookie, making Loop expendable.
• A Veteran Running Back (Gus Edwards/Justice Hill): While not both listed in the initial key facts, the running back room is perpetually in flux. Both Edwards and Hill are pending free agents. The Ravens’ philosophy under DeCosta has been to avoid major investments in the backfield. It is a near-certainty that at least one, if not both, of these reliable veterans will be playing elsewhere in 2025 as Baltimore resets the position through the draft or lower-cost free agency.

Navigating the New Era

The departure of John Harbaugh and the arrival of Jesse Minter marks the dawn of a new era in Baltimore. This free agency period will be the first major imprint of the Minter-DeCosta partnership. The likely exodus of several popular and productive players is not a sign of decline, but rather a strategic recalibration. The Ravens’ model has always been built on compensatory picks, disciplined financial management, and confident talent evaluation.

Expect Eric DeCosta to be active in the second and third waves of free agency, finding value to fill the voids left by these departures. The draft, where the Ravens consistently excel, will be more critical than ever. While seeing names like Linderbaum, Likely, and Van Noy leave will sting, it is the necessary cost of doing business in a hard-cap league, especially after committing major resources to franchise cornerstones. The Ravens are not rebuilding; they are reloading under a new head coach with a clear defensive identity. The flock may look different in 2025, but the relentless, tough-minded culture that defines Baltimore football will remain.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.