Could the Ravens Land Brandon Aiyuk?

Mink: Hate to burst your bubble, but the Ravens are not trading for Brandon Aiyuk. While it would of course upgrade the offense (he would upgrade any offense), it doesn’t work for Baltimore. I highly doubt Eric DeCosta would give up the trade compensation required to land the star receiver. We’re not talking about a Marcus Peters-esque fifth-round pick getting the job done.

Mostly, the Ravens aren’t in a position to pay Aiyuk what it would take. He’s set to make $14 million this season and is clearly not happy about it. Any trade would likely require a contract extension, and Aiyuk is seeking a contract averaging around $30 million. According to Russell Street Report, the Ravens have about $5.5 million remaining in salary cap space. That’s the second least in the league.

In other words, the Ravens do not have much room to make any significant addition, and taking on Aiyuk’s contract would require major cap shuffling. The Ravens aren’t going to blow up their roster just to upgrade at wide receiver. Baltimore is confident in its starting receiver duo of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, as well as the other weapons around Lamar Jackson at tight end and running back.

What I think is most likely to happen is that Aiyuk stays in San Francisco. Let’s not forget that a trade request does not mean a trade happens. After all, Jackson also requested a trade from Baltimore last offseason and look at where we are now. The 49ers have a lot more cap space than the Ravens ($31.5 million) and a history of getting extensions with star players done during training camp or later. Just hope that Aiyuk doesn’t land with the Steelers, who are the AFC North team that would have the best odds of landing him.

Brown: The early impression is that Zach Orr’s defense will look like a typical Ravens’ defense – physical, multidimensional, and aggressive.

Orr will bring fresh ideas to the table, but he’s not looking to make drastic changes. He’s been on Baltimore’s coaching staff six of the last seven seasons and knows the players’ strengths and personalities very well. Radical adjustments aren’t necessary after Baltimore led the NFL last season in fewest points allowed, had the most takeaways and sacks and has three All-Pros returning in Kyle Hamilton, Justin Madubuike, and Roquan Smith.

It will be interesting to see if Orr calls more blitzes than Mike Macdonald, as the Ravens ranked just 18th in blitz percentage last year. However, Orr has said Hamilton will continue lining up in multiple spots as one of the NFL’s most versatile defenders, calling him “the ultimate chess piece.” The Ravens’ cornerback rotation with the addition of first-round pick Nate Wiggins and rookie T.J. Tampa looks even deeper than last year, which should give Orr the option to use multiple coverages.

We won’t get a true handle on what an Orr defense will look like until the regular season. But as a player, Orr left no stone unturned in his preparation, entering the league as an undrafted rookie and becoming an All-Pro. He’ll attack this new challenge with the same determination which bodes well for his success.

Mink: Mark Andrews is under contract through the 2025 season with salary-cap charges of just under $17 million this season and next. That’s basically top of the market. Travis Kelce signed an extension in April averaging just more than $17 million per year over the next two seasons.

Andrews is not only one of the best tight ends in the league and Lamar Jackson’s most reliable target, but he’s a critical team leader. There is no player more locked in and driven than Andrews, and he shows that every single time he steps onto the field. Keeping him would be a very high priority.

With that said, there’s another Ravens tight end who is also going to be looking for a new contract. Isaiah Likely is also signed through the 2025 season, and if he builds on last season’s breakout, Likely is going to command a pretty penny as well. The Ravens may not be able to afford both. How the next two seasons play out will determine whether Baltimore would be more likely to pay Andrews, who is 4 1/2 years older, or Likely.

I don’t think we’re in a place to talk about a contract extension for Tylan Wallace right now. He’s not a lock to make the 53-man roster.

Brown: That’s a question many teams are trying to answer. The Chiefs remain the NFL’s measuring stick having won three of the last five Super Bowls. In my opinion, they have three future first-ballot Hall of Famers in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Head Coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs are no ordinary champion. The Ravens are trying to topple a dynasty.

I think it’s good the Ravens are playing Kansas City in Week 1 because it will give them an early indication of how they match up. However, the Chiefs lost their 2023 home opener to the Detroit Lions and still won the Super Bowl. Kansas City consistently raises its game when the stakes are highest – the mark of a champion.

The Ravens are good enough to beat Kansas City or any opponent if they improve their offensive production in the playoffs. In Jackson’s four playoff losses during his career, Baltimore has scored 17 points (2018), 12 points (2019), three points (2020), and 10 points (2023). If the Ravens become a more potent offensive team in the postseason, they can topple the Chiefs and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.