They are widely considered to own the best roster in the NFL headed into the new season, but the 2025 Baltimore Ravens weren’t about to ignore a three-time All-Pro surprisingly becoming available in free agency.
Acting quickly helped the Ravens beat “significant interest from a number of teams” to sign special teams ace J.T. Gray to a place on the practice squad. The news was reported on Wednesday, September 3 by league insider Jordan Schultz, who confirmed Gray was “a surprise release” by the New Orleans Saints, but “Baltimore expects him to be on the field sooner than later.”
This rates as a significant move for the Ravens for two reasons. First, Gray’s arrival will help retool a new-look special teams unit with plenty to prove this season.
Second, the Ravens smartly added a natural safety to a position loaded with star power among thanks to starters Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, but otherwise lacking credible depth.
Ravens Complete Special Teams Revamp
It’s been all change in football’s third phase for the Ravens this offseason. Starting with losing a leader and a force from the coverage units to the New York Giants.
While general manager Eric DeCosta swooped to acquire former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jake Hummel in free agency, head coach John Harbaugh needed more help in the area he knows best.
Harbaugh will appreciate Gray’s knack for making plays to impact the kicking game. Like this blocked punt against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 last season.
The 29-year-old has been active and productive for a long time, playing “70 pct or more of the Saints special teams snaps in each of the past five years,” according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Despite Gray’s stellar contributions, new Saints head coach Kellen Moore still deemed the ex-undrafted free agent worthy of being released.
Although Moore called it “one of the hardest things so far this year. It was a challenging move, he’s a really good special teams player and a really good player,” per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, the Saints‘ loss is undoubtedly the Ravens‘ gain.
Now No. 48 is already in the mix for his new team, something highlighted by Terrell’s colleague Jamison Hensley.
Gray, who is wearing No. 48, was released by the Saints on Monday.
Gray’s arrival completes a revamp that began with Hummel, but has also seen a reshuffle across every phase of the unit. Including the first kicker ever drafted by the franchise winning the right to replace seven-time Pro Bowler Justin Tucker.
The Ravens have also been searching for new faces to solve an underrated problem in the return game. This much change leaves Harbaugh’s team vulnerable in a vital area, but it hasn’t hurt the Ravens‘ standing among preseason prognosticators.
Ravens Widely Considered Elite
There’s no shortage of experts ready to proclaim the Ravens as being without equal this season. Among them, Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus believes “this iteration of the roster might be even better” than last year.
Valentine’s sentiment is shared by Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr, who deems these Ravens “the most sensible selection for the Super Bowl,” while ESPN’s Mike Clay is convinced “this team has it all.
The only reason to doubt Clay’s view lay on special teams, but Gray joining the fold only strengthens the chances these Ravens make good on the hype.
Ravens Beat ‘Significant Interest’ to Sign 3-Time All-Pro to Top-Ranked Roster