Just in: Ravens set to recruit defensive line to maintain top defense after multiple offseason departures

The Baltimore Ravens will enter the 2024 season ready to redeem themselves from their loss in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore lost the game despite it being played at M&T Bank Stadium, which normally gives the Ravens a pretty strong home-field advantage. Baltimore has banked on strong defensive play over the years to help balance the team, but it has lost a few pieces this offseason.

Safety Geno Stone departed from the Ravens to sign with the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Patrick Queen left to sign with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tyus Bowser is still a free agent coming off an injury.

Each of these losses starts to push against the preconceived notion of Baltimore being one of the top defenses around the NFL, but safety Marcus Williams isn’t buying it. Even with new defensive coordinator Zach Orr in the mix, Williams believes the Ravens have the pieces to be successful.

“He definitely has the respect of the room,” Williams said. “He comes in every day and puts in that time and that work — age is just a number — you put in that time and that effort to come out and be the best at your role as he did as a player, he’s gonna do as a coach. I have the utmost respect for him; the way he presents himself, the way he carries himself, how he coaches us and how he listens to whatever we have to say. He doesn’t have an ego where we can’t put our input. So, that’s a good thing, but he isn’t going to hold back just because he feels we’re about the same age. He’s still going to give you that good, hard coaching.”

Now-former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike McDonald accepted the head coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks, leaving a large hole on the Baltimore coaching staff.