In terms of classless moments, this 1 might be hard to top.
Appearing on the Nightcap podcast with Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Chad Ochocinco engaged in a back-and-forth over whether Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubike is a better player than Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Sharpe, who played for the Ravens, backed Madubuike and criticized Lawrence’s sack total in 2025 — 0.5 sacks — after the Bengals swapped their 2026 1st round pick (No. 10 overall) for Lawrence on Saturday in a blockbuster trade.
Ochocinco, who played for the Bengals, backed Lawrence. He did so by mocking a severe neck injury Madubuike suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 season that cost him the final 15 games of the regular season and, at one point, was even considered to be a career-threatening injury.
“(Madubuike) is definitely not (better than Lawrence),” Ochocinco said. “Where was Madubuike last year? Why was he hurt? ‘Oh my neck, oh.’ He didn’t even play last year.”
While many signs have pointed to Madubuike playing in 2026, there has been no confirmation from the Ravens.
Nightcap: History of Going After Ravens Players
It’s not the 1st time the Nightcap podcast has gone after Ravens players.
Sharpe and Ochocinco dismantled 6-foot-8, 370-pound Ravens offensive guard Daniel Faalele following a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“(Faalele) can’t block the sun out of his eyes, let alone a defensive lineman,” Sharpe said on December 7. “You shouldn’t be allowed to be that big and sorry. He’s as big as he is sorry … on film, he’s always at the scene of the crime … you going to hell if you told that man ‘Good Game’ at any point this year.”
Faalele’s struggles were highlighted by a rare emotional outburst from Ravens quarterback and 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who confronted Faalele on the sideline following an interception.
“You rarely see a QB chastise and single out one offensive lineman,” Ochocinco said. “Lamar must’ve been really frustrated.”
Season Could Swing on Madubuike’s Healthy Return
It’s not a stretch to say that Madubuike’s return to form could be the difference between making it to the Super Bowl or not.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley listed the interior defensive line among the Top 3 needs for the Ravens ahead of next week’s NFL draft.
“At defensive tackle, there has been growing optimism that two-time Pro Bowl player Nnamdi Madubuike will return from his neck injury,” Hensley wrote.
It’s the latest good news for the Ravens about Madbuike, who signed a 4-year, $98 million contract extension in March 2024 and is a 2-time Pro Bowler and NFL All-Pro.
With the Ravens staying tight-lipped about where Madubuike is in his recovery, there was some positive news after the Ravens opened offseason workouts in April.
“I can’t speak in terms of exact attendance,” Ravens Strength & Conditioning Coach Scott Elliott said on April 8. “But I will tell you that (Madubuike) is working his tail off. As I’m sure you’ve seen online, he is in great shape … with (Madubuike) throughout the last year, it’s been constant communication, and I’m just excited to see where it goes.”
Former NFL All-Pro Mocks Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike’s Severe Neck Injury