OTL: Another Crucial Offseason Begins
Pictured above: What we need to see ASAP!
With Seattle’s Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, it’s officially the NFL offseason. But before diving headfirst into draft and free agency chatter, let’s debunk a few talking points coming out of the Seahawks dominant performance.
First and foremost, the star of the show was Mike MacDonald’s defense. While the unit undoubtedly put together one of the modern era’s most impressive performances, Ravens fans will be the first to remind you that the performance wasn’t the all-time best:
The 2000 #Ravens defense gave up one offensive TD over 4 playoff games!! Let alone not giving one up in the Super Bowl.
That was against 2 of the best offenses in the league — Denver (2nd in points) & Oakland (3rd in points).
Miss me w/ Seattle being the best @PatMcAfeeShow
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) February 10, 2026
On the flip side, some fans assert that Sam Darnold is the NFL’s worst Super Bowl winning QB. Again, Ravens fans would like a word:
Time and the dominant win have helped to erase how awful Dilfer was in that game. https://t.co/1jnVvJf8Oz
— Lombardi Party of One (@RSRLombardi) February 10, 2026
Funny enough, the defensive performance is what hid Trent Dilfer’s play, while Dilfer’s play made the defensive performance necessary. I don’t think either statement applied in quite the same way this weekend.
So, on to the offseason. Naturally, fans from all teams are laying out next-steps for their respective favorites. For many, there’s nothing more fun than predicting what’s to come. As we well know, Baltimore fans are no different.
What makes this year so intriguing, however, is the number of routes GM Eric DeCosta could take. Focusing on the draft, Cole Jackson and Jordan outline some of those routes below:
As a wise man once said, I’m gonna fight and die to protect Lamar Jackson with everything I’ve got pic.twitter.com/xjYI9GGgOW
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) February 10, 2026
If the #Ravens made a play for an EDGE before the draft… pic.twitter.com/lJDweY1FaP
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) February 10, 2026
— Jordan (@OnlyTheRavens) February 10, 2026
Morning Mock! Can’t get any better than this! pic.twitter.com/3wbFCCX8A8
— Jordan (@OnlyTheRavens) February 10, 2026
As I alluded to, it’s hard to argue with any of these options, but the key to each will be the steps leading up to the draft. Most importantly, the contract status of Lamar Jackson and Tyler Linderbaum will drive much of what Baltimore can do:
Now that we have a new coaching staff in place, it’s time to focus on our priority list. Securing a new contract with Lamar Jackson and an extension with Tyler Linderbaum must be completed before the draft. We can’t head into the event with three significant holes on the OL.
— Pedro H. Rhormes (@rhormes_) February 10, 2026
That Lamar Jackson and Tyler Linderbaum extension will feed families pic.twitter.com/IGPSwbYIO3
— JacksonMuse (@Jackson_muse) February 10, 2026
Whenever I get that Lamar Jackson extension notification, that adrenaline rush will be unimaginable.
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) February 10, 2026
While Jackson and Linderbaum are obviously two of the Ravens’ better players, Brian McFarland outlines how this financially impacts decision-making, as well:
Now that the Ravens coaching staff is being finalized, we had @RavensSalaryCap of @RussellStReport join us earlier to explain why the Ravens offseason plans now hinge on the status of Lamar Jackson’s contract. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/GbweAh3eEE
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) February 9, 2026
On the flip side, potential cuts or restructures could shape Baltimore’s offseason plan. Again, McFarland has the answers:
Two big upcoming dates for the Ravens:
March 1: If no extensions prior, the contracts of WRs DeAndre Hopkins & Tylan Wallace will void. This will not change Cap space but extensions will allow them to spread out the dead money into the future. 1/https://t.co/Oqvj2ww0Fa
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) February 10, 2026
2/
March 15: $4M RosterBonuses are due 4 RoquanSmith & MarlonHumphrey. If something’s going to happen, will need to happen b4 then. IMO, Ro is safe. Marlon (due $20M in cash in ‘26) is likely going to need to revise his deal (pay cut) to stay IMO. If cut, will be done b4 3/15.
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) February 10, 2026
To further this:
Cutting Ro or Marlon b4 June 1 would create ~$7.3M in 2026 Cap space for each, w/ no dead money on the 2027 Cap.
Cutting either post-June 1 would save ~$20M each, but would put about $12-13M for each on the 2027 Cap as dead money. https://t.co/PagPtEhVYG
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) February 10, 2026
As always, there’s no one better than Brian!
Meanwhile, Ravens fans continue to speculate on the future of Nnamdi Madubuike. Again, while we can’t blame him for any decision he makes, that decision will dramatically impact Baltimore’s need to bolster the trenches.
I’ve got a feeling this won’t be the last sack we see from Nnamdi Madubuike in a Baltimore Ravens uniform! pic.twitter.com/9910mAUdL2
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) February 10, 2026
If Madubuike returns, the Ravens will have locked up three IDLs ahead of free agency. If not, they’re relying on Travis Jones and John Jenkins.
Similarly, if Marlon Humphrey is retained or let go will significantly change the outlook of the CB room (which I would agree is already an underrated need):
Wiggins
Humphrey (worst CB in football in 2025)
Tampa
Kone (IR)
Longerbeam (IR)But yet Ravens fans don’t think we need a Corner?
. The Ravens finished 31st in passing … But yet fans get mad when they see a 1st round corner mocked to them.. makes zero sense .
— Jordan (@OnlyTheRavens) February 10, 2026
Next, with new OC Declan Doyle expected to make heavy use of the WR position, how is that prioritized and what will happen with Rashod Bateman? While I expect Bateman to bounce back with higher usage, does the strength at the position in the draft impact EDC’s strategy?
There’s been a lot of talk about this draft class being down…but the WR talent is really, really deep. We’re gonna see a ton of wide outs in the top 75 picks
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 10, 2026
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman’s value is as low as ever, per @SInow.
He’s coming off the worst season of his career. pic.twitter.com/hHYOzcsTJ7
— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@RavenNationLIVE) February 9, 2026
At the Tight End position, two reliable backups will hit the market in Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Will Baltimore have the flexibility to bring either or both back? Will market value make another option (such as the intriguing veteran below) a better move?
#Browns TE David Njoku announced on IG he will not return to Cleveland as a free agent and his time is over. pic.twitter.com/H89mGs4lK1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 10, 2026
And lastly, as always, the pass rush may be Baltimore’s biggest weakness. Do the Ravens continue to take shots in the draft? Can HC Jesse Minter and DC Anthony Weaver elevate the level of those already in the room?
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt projects the Ravens to draft Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell at No. 14 in his latest mock draft.
Klatt says Howell’s 11.5 sacks in 13 games make him a strong scheme fit and potential Day 1 pass-rush boost. pic.twitter.com/UC7nYoM6Oc
— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@RavenNationLIVE) February 9, 2026
The fact of the matter is the Ravens haven’t hit on the pass rusher like they’ve been accustomed to over the their franchise history. Fans take that to mean they have to deviate. Ravens take that to mean they have to hit. Simple logic. It’s not broken it’s just not a science
— Dolph (@zzGodSpeed) February 10, 2026
The Ravens’ defensive players are much better than they appeared last season. Rookies included. That’s a hill I’ll continue to die on. https://t.co/LcPP5eM78Z
— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) February 10, 2026
So much will impact each of these decisions, but the first domino to fall is going to be the Jackson extension (or lack thereof). Could it be coming soon?
Lamar’s story on Instagram is interesting…could he be heading to Baltimore to sign an extension today
pic.twitter.com/fqiVx2Kea0
— ð™‰ð™–ð™©ð™š (@Hamilton_DPOY) February 10, 2026
So Lamar getting paid today?
— STONE (@stone_2x) February 10, 2026
The post OTL: Another Crucial Offseason Begins appeared first on Russell Street Report.
Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/02/11/out-to-lunch/otl-another-crucial-offseason-begins/
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March 1: If no extensions prior, the contracts of WRs DeAndre Hopkins & Tylan Wallace will void. This will not change Cap space but extensions will allow them to spread out the dead money into the future. 1/
March 15: $4M RosterBonuses are due 4 RoquanSmith & MarlonHumphrey. If something’s going to happen, will need to happen b4 then. IMO, Ro is safe. Marlon (due $20M in cash in ‘26) is likely going to need to revise his deal (pay cut) to stay IMO. If cut, will be done b4 3/15.
. The Ravens finished 31st in passing … But yet fans get mad when they see a 1st round corner mocked to them.. makes zero sense .

