The Baltimore Ravens' season again ended in disappointment, and it begs the question: How will things be different next season?
With the season over following Sunday's Divisional Round loss to the Bills, the Ravens' brass, including head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta, spoke Wednesday on a wide range of topics. Most focused on the next steps for Baltimore as it picks up the pieces and dive headlong into the offseason.
The good news for the Ravens is that the core of the roster is likely to remain intact. Stars such as Lamar Jackson remain under contract for years. The team can create salary-cap space without significantly damaging the talent level, allowing them to retain many of their own free agents, including offensive linemen Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari.
DeCosta said the Ravens planned to explore extensions for center Tyler Linderbaum and safety Kyle Hamilton this offseason now that both are eligible to be locked up long term. There also is the possibility of adjusting Jackson's deal to help free up cap space.
The Ravens also could consider extending Derrick Henry, who elevated their offense last season. Henry is entering the final season of a two-year contract signed last offseason, and the Ravens might want to keep him around longer than that.
"I think he proved he had a lot left in the tank," DeCosta said. "We'll look at [the possibility of extending Henry].
"I'm just so grateful that Derrick chose us last year. ... I can honestly say, his attitude and the way that he played was amazing to watch. His relationship with his teammates, his humility as a player, his work ethic ... can't wait to see it next year."
DeCosta said he envisioned Henry being "a big part" of the Ravens moving on from this season's disappointment. The Bills seemed bent on containing Henry, who had 87 yards and a touchdown on his 16 carries -- only two of which came in the fourth quarter.
"I know it was tough on him to end the way it did," DeCosta said. "I think we have a chip on our shoulders."
The futures of a few other Ravens veterans is less clear.
Sunday's loss was marred by two Jackson turnovers, but also two huge mistakes from tight end Mark Andrews. Following his fourth-quarter fumble in Buffalo territory, Andrews also missed the game-tying two-point conversion in the final two minutes of Baltimore's 27-25 defeat.
But Harbaugh came to Andrews' defense again Wednesday, as the Ravens coach did immediately after the loss, saying: "Mark is a huge part of our future."
DeCosta said he has spoken with Andrews but wanted to keep those talks private. The GM was less specific about Andrews' future -- the tight end has a salary-cap hit of $16.9 million for 2025 -- but said he was happy that the Ravens have "the best tight-end room in the league."
There's also the question about kicker Justin Tucker, who had the most field-goal misses (eight) in his career and also had two extra-point misses. He's due to make more than $7 million -- most for any kicker -- in 2025, when he'll turn 36 years old. But Tucker finished the season strong, closing out the final six games (including postseason) having made all five of his field-goal attempts and all 23 extra-point tries.
"We'll have those discussions," DeCosta said. "I have every expectation that Justin is going to be a great kicker for us next year and going forward. He finished strong this year."
And what about Harbaugh? The 62-year old coach has a terrific mark, leading the Ravens to the postseason six of the past seven years and winning at least one playoff game in three of the past five.
But he'll be entering the final year of his current contract in 2025. Could an extension be on the horizon? If so, Harbaugh wasn't shedding any light on the matter, saying that he's in a good place and unconcerned about the situation.
"I'm happy. However it goes, I trust God," Harbaugh said. "We're on a mission together. I'm not worried about those things."
