During their end-of-season press conference, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta accepted responsibility for the team’s 8-9 finish. Sitting next to owner Steve Bisciotti, DeCosta took responsibility for the failures of 2025. The Ravens lost their season finale to miss the playoffs.
“I think it was across the board, and we have to own that, and I think we will “We’re excited about it. We’ve been in this position before, many times over the last 30 years, where we’ve had to rebuild and tweak and change and adjust and really look at ourselves and say, ‘What can we do better?’ I think it starts with me; it starts with the new coaching staff; and I think the players will be accountable as well.”
Ravens Inconsistent Season Leads to Immediate Changes Within Organization
Despite starting the season 1-5, the Ravens battled back to even their record at 5-5. However, three division losses, including two to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last six weeks, paved the way for change. On January 6, DeCosta fired longtime head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. Subsequently, Harbaugh spent just nine days unemployed, as the New York Giants hired him on January 15.
Bisciotti praised his general manager, offering him a vote of confidence.
“I think Eric is one of the best GMs in the league. I think he’s batting. 800. I’m just making up a number for you, but I’m not going to look at Eric’s 200 whiffs. To me, that’s fair. I’m very, very pleased with Eric.”
Lack of Pass Rush Doomed Team Early, Leading to Defensive Woes
Yet among the miscues could be the main reasons the Ravens watched the playoffs at home this year instead of playing in them. One of the most pressing reasons was the pass rush. According to Pro Football Reference, Baltimore tallied 30 sacks, holding the No. 30 spot in the league. The Ravens struggled not just with rushing the passer but with generating any pressure without heavy blitzing.
GettyBaltimore Ravens NT Travis Jones prepare to line up.
Nose tackle Travis Jones led the team with five sacks, which could be construed as a telling sign in itself. Meanwhile, a player that they traded. Edge rusher Odafe Oweh totaled 7.5 with the Los Angeles Chargers. Opponents enjoyed nine games where they threw for more than 250 yards.
Pats TD Drive:
• Drake Maye ➡️ Hunter Henry for the 1st down on 3rd & 5 (vs Roquan Smith
• Drake Maye ➡️ Mack Hollins for 20 yds on 3rd & 13
• Drake Maye ➡️ Austin Hooper for 26 yds
• Drake Maye ➡️ Hunter Henry for the 1 yd TD!#NEPats pic.twitter.com/BkLcnyzPQK— Follow: @ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) December 22, 2025
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Part of the pass rush issues lies at the feet of defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike. In playing only two games, the two-time Pro Bowler’s ability to command attention and free up rushers disappeared. The defenders could not win one-on-one reps. ESPN ranked Baltimore 30th in pass rush win rate at 30%. Meaning, seven out of ten reps would favor the blocker. Quarterbacks with excessive time in the pocket will ultimately shred defenses.
Offensive Brilliance Covered Massive Flaw Within Roster and Depth Chart
On the positive side, the Ravens featured one of the most successful offenses in the league. At the same time, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers concealed a serious issue: the lack of a second wideout. Among receivers, Flowers’ 72.9% catch rate paced the team. Yet, veterans Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins could not give Lamar Jackson another outside target, combining for 41 catches.
GettyRavens wide receiver Zay Flowers runs for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Regardless of who the team hires as coach, they will have work to do to ensure that 2025 becomes an anomaly, not the pattern. Both free agency and the draft offer ample opportunities for DeCosta to address the team’s pressing needs. Baltimore possesses $29,509,560 of cap space and ten draft selections, with the first one landing at No. 14.
With financial wiggle room and draft capital, DeCosta can use the offseason to build the Ravens up from the top down. Adding a new head coach could provide the team with a spark.
Life After John Harbaugh: Ravens Exec Owns 2025 Failures