The Baltimore Ravens will be looking for a new coach for the first time since 2008.

The Ravens fired John Harbaugh on January 6 after 18 seasons with the team. This comes just days after the Ravens’ heartbreaking loss on Sunday Night Football. 

Harbaugh was hired in 2008 after a 5-11 season. He led the Ravens to a complete turnaround in 2008, posting an 11-5 record. The Ravens didn’t make too many changes outside of their head coach. One move they made was signing Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Harbaugh made the playoffs each of his first five seasons with the Ravens. This all culminated in a Super Bowl championship in the 2012 season. Harbaugh was able to squeeze just enough out of an aging roster. The Ravens’ 2012 run is widely regarded as one of the most impressive in Super Bowl history.

The Ravens stagnated a bit after the Super Bowl, making the playoffs just one time from 2013 to 2017. However, the Ravens never lost trust in Harbaugh. 

The 2018 draft changed everything. The Ravens selected Lamar Jackson with the 32nd pick. Harbaugh now had an elite quarterback to pair with his defensive coaching skills. He won the Coach of the Year award in 2019 with a 14-2 record.

Despite missing the playoffs only twice in the Jackson era, it was also marked by a lack of playoff success. Ravens fans debated who was to blame, but ultimately, the front office decided it was Harbaugh’s time to go. 

The Ravens are likely to look internally to find their next head coach. Special teams coordinator Chris Horton and offensive coordinator Todd Monken are very likely candidates. As for Harbaugh, any team with a coaching opening will likely want to interview him. Harbaugh may not want to join a rebuild, so he could wait until after the playoffs to see if any playoff teams fire their coaches.

He may not need to wait that long. In the 24 hours after the news broke, Harbaugh reportedly had calls from seven NFL teams.  

The Baltimore Ravens lost the game and the division on one missed kick; could they end up losing their star quarterback, too?

The Ravens lost to the Steelers 26-24 on Sunday Night Football. The game came down to a missed kick from Tyler Loop. The Ravens led 10-3 at halftime, but Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers to a massive comeback. This game was kind of a showcase of the problems the Ravens have had in recent seasons. That being an offense that’s too complacent and a defense that can’t consistently hold leads.

Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Ravens with the 32nd pick of the 2018 NFL draft. Many were surprised to see Jackson fall, but some questioned his NFL ceiling. He became one of the best QBs in the league, winning two MVPs in 2019 and 2023.

Jackson had led the Ravens to the playoffs in all but one season. The playoff performances have left a lot to be desired. Sometimes he’s to blame, like in 2020 when he threw zero touchdowns and an interception against the Bills in the divisional game. Other times, like his 2024 performance against the Bills, where he threw 254 yards, it’s the other pieces who don’t support him.

Regardless of who’s to blame for the Ravens’ lack of playoff success, it seems likely they have hit their ceiling. Running QBs don’t tend to have the longevity of pure QBs like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Rodgers.

If Jackson wants to win a ring, he may need to act sooner rather than later. He wasn’t willing to talk about his future after the heartbreaking loss on Sunday Night Football. However, after the dust settles on that loss he’ll need to decide what’s next for him. Many teams will look to add Jackson, but would any of those teams be better than the Ravens?

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots after taking an accidental knee to the lower left side of his back late in the second quarter, and his status is now “TBD” for Baltimore’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jackson was injured with 1:56 left before halftime on a designed run in the red zone. He stayed in for one more snap, then the Ravens used a timeout to get him out of the game as he headed to the locker room for evaluation.

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Backup Tyler Huntley finished the night in relief. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 65 yards, but Baltimore couldn’t close out the game as New England rallied for a 28–24 win.

After the game, Jackson said, “he did everything he could to try to return, including receiving a Toradol shot, but the pain wouldn’t ease enough to function normally.”

He described testing his range of motion in the locker room, even trying to throw to a trainer, only to feel his back tighten and hurt. He added that his legs felt fine and that he didn’t believe he aggravated any previous injury.

The read from the team pointed to a back contusion.

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh lost against the Houston Texans, making this their third consecutive loss.

In Week 5 of the Sunday Night Football, the Ravens lost 44-10. Many speculated that their losing streak is due to their injured players.

The Ravens’ best player, Lamar Jackson, is out due to a hamstring injury and is expected to come back for Week 7.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush started against the Texans and struggled against their defense.

Rush had 14 out of 20 passes with three interceptions, giving the Ravens a gain of 207 yards.

“No one wants to be here, but it’s where we’re at and we’ve got to dig ourselves out of it,” Rush said. Commentating on the Ravens’ loss against the Texans and their record of 1-4.

During the Ravens-Texans game, the Ravens scored a field goal during the first quarter and a touchdown in the third quarter.

Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Ravens since 2008 and is convinced that they will get better.

Since Harbaugh has been the head coach, he has led the Ravens to the playoffs 12 times, including Super Bowl XLVII.

“I think every year has had challenges,” Harbaugh said. “I’m looking for people to come out fighting and give their best in those kinds of situations.”

Harbaugh also mentioned that they got beaten in every way they could have gotten beaten, and that is a “complete disappointment.”

The Ravens continued their losing ways with a loss to the Rams, bringing them to a 1-5 record.

It’s been a year with ups and downs for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and the latest move adds another twist. The veteran safety was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. This is the second time he has been cut this season, after what his agent described as an “amicable mutual decision.”

His release comes just a week after Baltimore traded for Chargers safety Alohi Gilman. This signaled a shift in their defensive plans as they entered the bye week with a disappointing 1-5 record.

The 27-year-old’s season began with the Houston Texans, who acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. However, Houston released him early in the year amid what KPRC’s Aaron Wilson described as, “friction behind the scenes,” including Gardner-Johnson’s frustration with his role and desire to blitz more often. He logged 11 tackles across three games before being let go.

After he joined Baltimore, Gardner-Johnson didn’t appear in any games before the two sides decided to part ways. Despite the drama, the safety expressed gratitude and optimism about the future. Gardner-Johnson said on X, “I just want to take a moment to thank all the teams I’ve been a part of. Every experience has helped me grow both on and off the field. My passion for the game is still strong, and I’m excited to keep working and playing the sport I love.”

Still, Gardner-Johnson’s ability is undeniable. He played a key role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run last year, and his versatility in the secondary could make him an appealing target for teams in need of depth and energy on defense. For now, though, his next stop remains unclear, and after a chaotic few months, the once-promising safety will be hoping for stability wherever he lands next.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs during Sunday’s game.

He left the game halfway through the third quarter, after George Karlaftis sacked him. Jackson remained on the bench for the rest of the game. The Ravens lost 37-20, adding to their already rough start to the season. The Ravens, now 1-3, face the Houston Texans next week, Jackson’s status unknown.

Raven’s head coach, John Harbaugh, stated, “The injury is not season-ending and that Jackson will go through further tests, with an official status update expected soon.”

After Jackson left the field, Cooper Rush came on as the backup quarterback and will start if Jackson is unable to play following Sunday’s game. The Ravens, already off to a shaky start, now face the possibility of navigating the next stretch of the season without their star quarterback. All eyes are turned to Rush, who has brought experience as a spot starter but has never led a team for an extended stretch.

Examining Rush’s history and performance, his play is likely to be conservative, relying on the team’s strong running game and solid defense. Rush’s start to the season so far has been unimpressive, but the team and fans are optimistic. With a record of 9-5 as a starter in the NFL, he might be what the Ravens need to hang in there for the upcoming stretch of the season.

It is going to be hard to fill the shoes of Jackson. He has been the centerpiece of Baltimore’s offense. Without him, the Ravens lose the unpredictability that has defined their attack, allowing opponents to key in on the run game. Jackson’s versatility as both a passer and runner forces defenses into constant adjustments, and without that dynamic presence, Baltimore’s offense risks becoming one-dimensional and easier to contain. The pressure is on for Rush as they face Houston next.

Lamar Jackson shoved a Buffalo Bills fan who had slapped him and teammate DeAndre Hopkins on the helmet during a third-quarter touchdown celebration Sunday night at Highmark Stadium. The incident occurred after the Baltimore Ravens built a 34-19 lead that later fell to 40-41 after a late-game Bills comeback.

After Hopkins’ one-handed touchdown catch, Jackson joined his team near the stands to celebrate. A disgruntled fan in a Bills Jersey reached over the railing, initially hitting Hopkins on the helmet before doing the same to Jackson. He reacted by giving a two-handed shove, sending the fan backwards.

The fan was ejected from the stadium. On Monday, the NFL announced the unidentified fan was banned indefinitely from all league stadiums.

Jackson, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns during the game, later stated he overreached.

“He slapped me, and he was just talking – so I just forgot where I was for a little bit,” Jackson said. “You have security out there; let security handle it. But I just let my emotions get the best of me.”

He added that the incident was not intended to send fans the wrong message. Jackson and his teammates were celebrating a touchdown like any other team.

“Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again. I’ll learn from that,” Jackson said.

The Ravens seemed to be in control of the game after Hopkins’ wild score and another drive that elongated the lead to 40-25 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Unexpectedly, Bills quarterback Josh Allen quickly led two touchdown drives and set up placekicker Matt Prater for a 32-yard field goal as time ran out. The results marked the Bills with one of the most dramatic comebacks during Week 1, ending in a 41-40 win.

The incident underlined the emotional intensity of NFL games and raised questions about the boundaries between players and fans. The Ravens are shifting all focus toward Week 2 as the team regroups after the gut-wrenching opening loss.

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 season ended, once again, in heartbreak fashion, losing 27-25 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional game on a last-second dropped pass from tight end Mark Andrews. Following another successful regular season, highlighted by MVP-type performances from quarterback Lamar Jackson and newly signed All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, the team secured a 12-5 record. It claimed the AFC North title for the second consecutive year. With another season ending quickly in the postseason, the Ravens looked to reload in the offseason to get over the playoff hump, finally.

Baltimore Ravens News

Baltimore made their most significant offseason move by re-signing their left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, to a three-year, $60 million deal, as well as other key players like fullback Patrick Ricard and guard Ben Cleveland. Another key offseason move was extending star running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $30 million contract extension after leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The Ravens also brought in former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year $5 million deal, as well as cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to help improve their inconsistent secondary from last season. Despite these additions, the Ravens also lost players from last season’s team, including former All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker, Brandon Stephens, Patrick Mekari and Tre’Davious White.

The Ravens’ draft class found two impact players in the first two rounds, with safety Malaki Starks from Georgia picked in the first round, and defensive end Mike Green out of Marshall picked in the second round. Pairing up Starks with a former All-Pro safety from two seasons ago, Kyle Hamilton, and star cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens will have one of the best secondaries in the league. Green adds to an already dominant pass rush, which was second in sacks last season. Both players could be day one starters after very productive college careers to help improve an elite Ravens defense.

With the expectations of returning to the playoffs being a given for the Ravens, their path to the playoffs is no easy task. The Ravens have the ninth hardest schedule according to FOX Sports, opening up the season with a rematch vs the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. The Ravens will face eight playoff teams from last season, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who appeared in the Super Bowl the season before. The Ravens will also have to navigate playing in one of the most competitive divisions in football against an improved Bengals team with one of the most electric offenses in the league, the Steelers, and the Cleveland Browns. With such a tough regular season, Jackson will have to play at an MVP level once again to lead this team to the playoffs and win his division for the third time in a row, which has never been done in franchise history.

BALTIMORE RAVENS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 7 at Buffalo Bills
• Week 2: Sept. 14 against Cleveland Browns
• Week 3: Sept. 22 against Detroit Lions
• Week 4: Sept. 28 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 5: Oct. 5 against Houston Texans
• Week 6: Oct. 12 against Los Angeles Rams
• Week 7: Bye Week
• Week 8: Oct. 26 against Chicago Bears
• Week 9: Oct. 30 at Miami Dolphins
• Week 10: Nov. 9 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Cleveland Browns
• Week 12: Nov. 23 against New York Jets
• Week 13: Nov. 27 against Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 14: Dec. 7 against Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 15: Dec. 14 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 16: Dec. 21 against New England Patriots
• Week 17: at Green Bay Packers
• Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers

BALTIMORE RAVENS SEASON/GAMES ODDS

The Ravens open the season as the favorites to win the AFC North with +350 odds. They also have a +700 chance of making the Super Bowl, which ranks in the top five in the NFL. The Ravens have been favorites for many seasons, but still have struggled in the postseason. Baltimore is also favored in 15 of their 17 games this season, but opens the season as underdogs vs the Buffalo Bills at +1.5 points in Buffalo.

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While unsubstantiated rumors swirl about a possible contract extension for Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, bad news came out of training camp as he suffered a left foot/ankle injury. According to The Baltimore Banner‘s Giana Han, Likely suffered the injury and was seen punching the ground in frustration. He then hobbled into the building, putting little weight on his foot.

Likely went down toward the end of practice during a one-on-one drill against safety Sanoussi Kane. He was carted off the field and then limped into the locker room.

After practice, coach John Harbaugh said Likely is expected to miss a few weeks and that he’ll be getting an MRI tomorrow to know the extent of the injury and timeline.

“We’ll know more [Wednesday],” Harbaugh said. “We’ll get an MRI and see exactly what needs to be done. It’s good it’s this early in camp.”

Barring a significant injury, it sounds as though Likely will miss training camp and likely preseason, but could be available for the beginning of the season when the Ravens face the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 on September 7.

The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $3.4 million this season. A fourth-round pick in 2022, Likely set career highs last season with 42 catches for 477 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

The Ravens have one of the deepest tight end groups in the NFL with Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar. All three tight ends are scheduled to be free agents after this season.

Likely has been durable in his three-year career, missing two games due to injury. He was sidelined for one game in 2022 with an ankle injury and missed one game last season with a hamstring injury.

If Likely misses significant time, Kolar might have an increased role. Known more for his blocking, Kolar caught nine passes last season for 131 yards and one touchdown.

The Baltimore Ravens announced they signed wide receiver Rashod Bateman to a three-year, $36.75 million extension with $20 million guaranteed.

A year ago, Bateman signed a two-year, $12.8 million extension after not qualifying for his fifth-year option. After the 2024 season, which saw Bateman record career-highs in almost every statistic, he earned a larger paycheck.

“Feeling incredibly grateful today,” Bateman said on X. “Baltimore believed in me from the start, and this extension means a lot.”

Bateman finished the 2024 season with 756 yards and nine touchdowns. Bateman and Zay Flowers have combined to be the top receiver options for Baltimore, and arguably the franchise’s best receiving duo in decades.

Bateman, 21, before last season had a reputation for being a disappointing draft pick. Through three seasons, he had failed to surpass 520 receiving yards in a season and hadn’t played a full 17 games.

Now he is one of Lamar Jackson’s most reliable targets.

“It’s kind of how this league works. You get paid if you’re doing the right things on and off the field, and it’s a respect thing,” Bateman said. “It’s showing that the organization believes in me.

The Ravens are coming off a 12-5 season in which the offense averaged over 30 points per game. With Bateman locked up for the future, the offense is likely to continue thriving.

The Baltimore Ravens released veteran kicker Justin Tucker on Monday, for reasons the team has described as a “football decision.”

Tucker, 35, is facing sexual harassment allegations from multiple massage therapists during his time in Baltimore. Six different massage therapists have revealed experiences with Tucker that were described as “troubling.”

Tucker had a subpar season on the football field in 2024. The usually sure-handed kicker finished 22-30 on field goal attempts, or 73.3%, the worst rate of his career. Out of kickers who played in at least 14 games, Tucker was the third-worst in the NFL.

“Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker,” Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history.”

The decision to move on from Tucker was somewhat expected following the draft. The Ravens selected Arizona kicker Tyler Loop with the 186th pick in the NFL draft.

Tucker has been with the Ravens since 2012, when he was signed as an UDFA from Texas. Since being a Raven, he has been named to five first-team All-Pro selections, seven Pro Bowls, and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.

There’s an ongoing investigation by the NFL regarding the allegations against Tucker. Until the investigation is complete, it’s difficult to imagine Tucker being signed by a team.

It’s also possible Tucker faces a suspension from the NFL, similar to when Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for 11 games following his allegations.

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed Monday that the team has had internal conversations about an extension for superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Jackson, 28, set an NFL record with his last contract in 2023. Since that five-year, $260 million deal, Jackson has won his second MVP award and come close to another, and the quarterback market has been reset a few more times. The current most lucrative contract in the NFL was signed last month, as Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is set to make $330 million over the next six years.

The Ravens will likely look to seal a deal with Jackson before next off-season when his salary cap hit jumps. “You just got to manage the salary cap dance, and Lamar is the main part of that because he’s the franchise player,” Harbaugh said. “Sooner or later, that’s definitely going to have to happen.”

Jackson threw for 4,172 yards in 2024 and rushed for another 900, putting up 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He finished with a rating of 119.6 rating despite a lackluster receiving corps, completing two-thirds of his passes to cap off another MVP-caliber season, finishing second behind Allen in voting.

Asked to put a value on Jackson’s potential contract, Harbaugh was effusive. “The value is the top,” he said. “When Lamar gets paid, he’s going to be the highest-paid player in football, just like he was last time. I think every contract he signs probably until he decides to hang up his cleats, he’s going to be that guy.”

The only limiting factor on Jackson’s value seems to be the postseason. Despite leading the Ravens to sparkling regular-season records over the past few seasons, Jackson is 3-5 in the playoffs over the course of his career and has given up 11 playoff turnovers in that time – the most of any quarterback over that span. He’s never advanced past the conference championship.

Following another tough postseason loss, though, the Ravens clearly don’t see their quarterback as the problem.

“He works hard, and he’s got a growth mindset, and he wants to be better,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the thing. That’s what I love about Lamar Jackson. He just wants to improve all the time. He’s never satisfied, and he talks about winning the Super Bowl, and when he wins a Super Bowl — not if, but when he wins a Super Bowl — he’s still not going to be satisfied. He’s going to want to get another one, and that’s just the way he’s built.”

Whatever happens, it seems inevitable that Jackson will sign another record-setting contract in the next year. Harbaugh and the Ravens will have to hope that he’ll earn it with a Super Bowl.

A new quarterback will be backing up Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

The Ravens have agreed to a deal with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush, his agent, Christopher Cabott of Equity Sports told uSports.

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It’s a two-year deal with $4.2 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $12.2 million.

Rush will now back up Jackson, replacing Josh Johnson, who threw only three passes in six games last season.

The Ravens have a 4-10 record over the last six seasons in games Jackson has missed, including the postseason.

The departure of Rush leaves the Cowboys in need of a backup for Dak Prescott, their only quarterback under contract.

Rush has been a reliable backup for the Cowboys, winning nine of his 14 starts behind Prescott.

Rush had a career-best season in 2024, throwing for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns, finishing with a 4-4 record after Prescott’s season-ending right hamstring avulsion. He also threw five interceptions.

Rush began his career with the Cowboys in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, serving as Prescott’s backup for three seasons. When Mike McCarthy took over as head coach in 2020, Dallas signed Andy Dalton, and Rush was released. He rejoined the team after a brief stint with the New York Giants, stepping in after Prescott’s season-ending dislocated and fractured right ankle.

In 2021, he earned the backup role and held the job for the following three seasons. In 2023, he signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys, choosing to bypass free agency.

Through 38 games in his career, he has totaled 3,463 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Seven additional massage therapists have come forward, accusing Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct at upscale spas.

In total, 16 therapists from eight different spas have now come forward with allegations against Tucker. The reported incidents took place between 2012 and 2016, during his first five years in the NFL.

Among the new accusations, one woman alleged that Tucker left what she suspected was ejaculate on the table, while another accused him of maintaining eye contact while exposed during the session.

During his Super Bowl week press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the allegations surrounding Tucker, stating, “They are obviously serious issues, and he is taking that seriously as are we.” He may face disciplinary action under the league’s personal conduct policy.

Tucker’s lawyers responded to the new allegations by directing attention to his Jan. 30 social media post, in which he called the accusations “unequivocally false.”

Last week, Tucker’s legal team submitted a sworn declaration from the owner of the Baltimore Spa & Salon, who stated that she had never received any complaints about him nor suspected any wrongdoing. Therapists from the spa said they chose not to report his actions to supervisors due to fear of losing their jobs.

Tucker’s lawyers pointed out that he has never been banned from the two spas. They also denied the allegations of misconduct, claiming that they are based on speculation and are “impossible to prove.”

On Feb. 1, Tucker faced new allegations from three more massage therapists. One woman presented what she claimed to be an internal report from 2015 detailing her experiences with him.

Following last month’s initial allegations, the Ravens released a statement saying, “We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

A seven-time Pro Bowler, Tucker is regarded as the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He is the Ravens’ longest-tenured player and the only one left from their 2012 Super Bowl team.

Six massage therapists have come forward to accuse Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior during sessions.

An investigation by the Baltimore Banner revealed that Tucker has been banned from at least two spas in the Baltimore region, with accusations coming from four locations in total. Some of the therapists who spoke with the publication claimed that they ended sessions with Tucker early due to his behavior. All of the incidents occurred between 2012 and 2016.

All six gave roughly similar descriptions of Tucker’s conduct during massages, which often included requests to massage his thighs and pelvic region while he was aroused. The kicker also reportedly maneuvered in ways so that he could expose his genitals to therapists and attempted to make contact with two of them.

Tucker’s lawyers have denied all accusations related to his behavior and claimed that he was never banned from any facilities.

“Mr. Tucker has never behaved inappropriately during any massage therapy session, and certainly never in the manner described,” the lawyers said in a statement. “Any suggestion to the contrary is a fictitious and utterly baseless claim.”

This is a developing story, one that could soon include legal action and an NFL investigation. In 2021, quarterback Deshaun Watson was accused of engaging in sexually abusive behavior during massages and eventually had to settle nearly two dozen civil lawsuits. He missed the entire 2021 season and was formally suspended for 11 games the following year.

Tucker was signed by the Ravens in 2012 after four seasons at the University of Texas. He is often considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history and has gained immense popularity. Off the field, Tucker has built an identity around his Catholic faith.

“I’m very happy about the opportunity I have to kick in the NFL, and I’ll try to do it as long as possible,” Tucker said in a 2013 interview. “It’s a great adventure but also a unique platform for sharing what matters most in life: God’s love for us. That love is the ultimate motivation for trying to live an upright life.”

The play clock wound down with the Buffalo Bills in victory formation. As Josh Allen knelt a final time, cementing the 27-25 divisional round win, he made a beeline to – opposing quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The quarterbacks shared a handshake and a few words in a stunning display of sportsmanship despite their increasingly heated MVP race.

“I got so much respect and love for [Jackson],” Allen later told Tracy Wolfson. “The way he plays the game, he’s a true competitor, he’s a true football player. One of the greatest to ever step on the football field. Nothing but love.”

The game itself wasn’t either player’s best: Buffalo won mainly on the ground, as Allen had just 127 passing yards (but two rushing touchdowns), while Jackson tossed for 254 yards and two touchdowns but lost a fumble and an interception. The ultimate difference? A drop on the two-point conversion from Ravens tight end Mark Andrews.

Both quarterbacks seemed to appreciate the closeness of the game and emphasized each other’s previous success when asked.

“Great players recognize greatness,” said Jackson.

“I told him, ‘Man, go get something. Go win something. MVP or Super Bowl. Do something.’ I want him to be successful.”

Allen and the Bills will be looking to do just that in the AFC Championship next Sunday. They face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, still in the mix for a third consecutive Super Bowl, with the aim to avenge a divisional round heartbreaker last year. And the Chiefs have seemed nearly indomitable all year – save for the Bills’ win over them in Week 11.

Yes, another clash of great quarterbacks is in the cards. For now, though, sportsmanship prevails.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is making a somewhat unexpected return to the Baltimore Ravens, nearly four weeks after the team cut him. After an even shorter but equally disappointing stint with the Houston Texans, Johnson is not eligible to compete for Baltimore during the playoffs.

Based on Johnson’s time in Baltimore earlier this season, in which he received limited opportunities and caused a slew of problems, it is highly unlikely that he will ever suit up as a Raven again. If he signs with another team as an unrestricted free agent in 2025, however, Baltimore could receive a compensatory draft pick. 

The NFL’s rules state that teams are entitled to these picks if they lose more free agents than they gain in an off-season. This is almost certainly the Ravens’ motivation for claiming Johnson off waivers.

After a promising start to the 2024 season with the Panthers, Johnson was traded to Baltimore on Oct. 29. He was initially excited to be competing for a Super Bowl contender, but the relationship soured quickly. Johnson played in an extremely limited capacity for several games and was reportedly frustrated with his diminished role.

After refusing to go into a game against the Eagles in Week 13, Johnson received a one-game suspension. The team sent him to waivers on Dec. 20. In four games for Baltimore, he caught one pass for six yards. The Texans picked him up three days later. Participating in Houston’s final regular season game and a playoff victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, he caught three passes for 24 yards.

“Unfortunately, with Diontae it didn’t work out,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. “We’re on to the Chiefs.”

Johnson, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2019 to 2023, seemed to finally be capitalizing on his potential early in the 2024 season. His success in Carolina was short-lived, however, and his time in Baltimore and Houston has severely harmed his value in future negotiations. This shouldn’t be the end of the line, but he has more to prove now than he has at any other point in his career.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made history Wednesday when he passed Michael Vick as the all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback. He rushed for 87 yards on the ground in a 31-2 victory over the Texans, raising his total to a staggering 6,110 rushing yards across seven NFL seasons.

“It feels unreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson said after the game. “I just give God all the glory. I’m grateful, man, because that’s a record that’s been held for a long time with Michael Vick, one of my favorite players. That’s just dope.”

Facing a stout Texans defense on Christmas Day, Jackson still managed to deliver as Baltimore’s virtuoso, beating Houston in every way imaginable. As he has done all season, the two-time MVP was efficient through the air and highly elusive on the ground. He threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 10 completions, and could have done far more through the air if the Ravens didn’t put the game away early – 48 of his 87 rushing yards came on a single run to the end zone, his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.

Without losing any of his dazzling rushing ability, Jackson is well on his way to his first season with 4,000 passing yards in another MVP-caliber campaign. Bills quarterback Josh Allen may prevent Jackson from winning the award for a third time, but his value to Baltimore is priceless in many ways. The Ravens are preparing for their sixth playoff appearance in seven seasons. Adding running back Derrick Henry in 2024 has helped the team expand its potential, but Jackson is still an entirely unique talent serving as conductor for one of the greatest offenses in the history of modern football.

With Vick’s rushing record broken and yet another trip to the postseason on the horizon, Jackson is closing in on possibilities that have long been considered theoretical. In the past, the vast majority of running quarterbacks have either cut back on the ground late in their careers or suffered the consequences. Jackson is doing neither.

As mobile quarterbacks go, Allen and Russell Wilson are success stories, successful rushers who learned to lean more heavily on their arms and extended their careers. Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III are cautionary tales, talented players who relied too heavily on their mobility and suffered career-shortening injuries. Entering his seventh year, Jackson is doing his own thing; he’s developing as a passer without sacrificing anything on the ground. He’s burning at both ends and only growing brighter.

There’s only one point of comparison for what Jackson is trying to do: the man he just passed for the rushing record. Vick never sacrificed either. But Vick’s career is also a titanic “what if” in the history of the NFL, an undeniable talent losing two years of his prime to prison and suspension. By the time he began to truly develop his passing game with the Eagles, he was already nine years into a seven-season career. His legs didn’t last much longer, and he never managed to reach 4,000 passing yards.

Jackson has suffered his share of injuries too, but barring any unforeseen setback, he won’t be interrupted as Vick was. The window is wide open for him to win a Super Bowl, the NFL’s ultimate metric for quarterback success. He hasn’t climbed that mountain yet, but he’s only getting better. 

Jackson has been derided for years, labeled a glorified running back in a dressed-up wildcat formation. But the doubters are melting away as he gradually becomes the most dangerous offensive player in NFL history. A championship victory would abolish skepticism altogether.  

The Baltimore Ravens announced Wednesday that they are suspending wide receiver Diontae Johnson in Week 15 for refusing to enter a game last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since arriving in Baltimore in a trade with the Panthers, Johnson has only caught one pass in four games.

“We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team,” the Ravens said in a statement on X. “Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Johnson was in the midst of a very successful season before coming to the Ravens. As a member of the lowly Panthers, he was a focal point on the offense. In Baltimore, he has hardly played any part at all.

Despite expressing excitement about moving to a Super Bowl contender early on, reports suggest that Johnson has soured on his team while struggling to find a foothold. He was reportedly asked to check in last week and refused to do so, an incident that will cost him any chance to play in Week 15. Baltimore is currently on bye, which could have given the team some time to find room for Johnson on the offense under different circumstances.

With all of the ongoing drama, many are returning to an ominous comment Johnson made last month. At the time, the Ravens were preparing for a Week 11 game against the Steelers, the team Johnson played for between 2019 and 2023.

“I still love the Steelers and whatever… I’m a Raven now, but you never know what the future holds,” Johnson said.

While Johnson wallows at the bottom of Baltimore’s depth chart, the team is entering its bye as a Super Bowl contender. The season is far from over, however, as the 8-5 Ravens are still behind the Steelers in the AFC North. It will be difficult to earn a bye with the Chiefs and Bills already well ahead, but winning the division may give Baltimore an easier path.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly settling in well with the Baltimore Ravens after the team acquired him in a trade with the Carolina Panthers earlier this week. In the midst of one of his best NFL seasons, Johnson has gone from a struggling franchise to a Super Bowl contender.

“Once I found out where I was going, I was excited,” Johnson said, via a team report. “Sigh of relief. I’m ready to work.”

In his first season with Carolina after five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson stepped out as an offensive leader, even as the team struggled. While the Panthers bounced between quarterbacks Bryce Young and Andy Dalton on the way to a 1-7 record, Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. He missed Week 8 with an injury but is expected to be available for his Ravens rebut in Week 9.

Though Johnson began his career with Ben Roethliseberger in Pittsburgh, he has struggled to produce consistently with a number of Steelers and Panthers quarterbacks since then. Teaming up with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson in Baltimore is a significant upgrade.

The Ravens’ offense does not necessarily run through a single receiver, as Jackson famously prefers to spread his passes between the likes of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and others. As a result, Johnson is unlikely to maintain the dominant target share that he had in Carolina, but instead has a far more realistic chance of contributing to a legitimate playoff contender. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even discussed using him a punt returner Wednesday.

“[Johnson has] talked about it,” Harbaugh said. “He was out there today with the punt returners … just trying to get the rust knocked off probably … and help us in that area as well.”

With Johnson on the roster, the Ravens may have everything they need to make another serious bid for the Super Bowl in 2024. Last season, the team came up just short to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. But with Derrick Henry in the backfield and Johnson added to the receiver corps, the offense could take on the best in the AFC with a renewed sense of purpose later this year.