NFL
With every new season comes new pressures for different players and their spots on the Baltimore Ravens in 2026. Each year, players will be put in the spotlight to see whether their future lies in Baltimore and beyond. There will be players who rose above expectations and those who don’t follow through on aspirations for the Baltimore Ravens. 2026 is going to be a year when some Ravens players will be looked at under a microscope for this season. But these 5 Baltimore Ravens players in 2026 will be under the most pressure for their future in Baltimore.
1. Rashod Bateman WR
A valuable piece for Lamar Jackson and the offense, Rashod Bateman is a player on offense who needs to step up. After a good 2024 season with 9 receiving touchdowns, he was rewarded with a 3-year contract extension worth 37 million. Then Bateman’s stats in 2025 went south, with only 224 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns on 19 catches. With a new coaching staff and offensive coordinator, Rashod Bateman has a chance to redeem himself in 2026. And, if his production doesn’t pick up, the Ravens might need to think about Rashod Bateman’s future in Baltimore.
2. Trenton Simpson LB
Drafted in the 3rd round in 2023, Trenton Simpson is going into his 4th year in a make-or-break season. His stats haven’t shown through his first 3 seasons in the purple and black of the Baltimore Ravens. 2026 could be the season that Trenton Simpson takes a giant leap forward in his career, while fighting for his future. With Jesse Minter now as the head coach, maybe a new coaching staff can be a lifesaver for Simpson. While I believe he can turn the corner in 2026, Trent Simpson could be on his way out of Baltimore.
3. Marlon Humphrey CB
Marlon Humphrey has been the longest tenured player that’s currently in the secondary since being drafted in the 2017 NFL draft. In 2025, Humphrey struggled in coverage, giving up over 900 receiving yards, and posted the lowest grade on defense. And, with those stats, there are question marks to see if Marlon Humphrey has fallen off tremendously from his prime. With the emergence of Nate Wiggins could be on the outside looking in with the Baltimore Ravens after 2026. Next season, Marlon Humphrey will be under the most pressure season with his tenure being numbered after 2026.
4. Broderick Washington DT
2020 5th round pick Broderick Washington is another name that’s been under pressure for the last few seasons. Washington hasn’t been up to the standard when being on the field on the defensive line on the front 4. In 2025, Washington had the lowest PFF grade by any defensive player, with a grade of 30.4 PFF. With his future in Baltimore hanging in the balance, Broderick Washington will get one chance to prove himself. Broderick Washington could be on the outside looking in if stats don’t pick up in the 2026 season.
5. Lamar Jackson QB
Probably no other player on the Baltimore Ravens who is under the most pressure in 2026 is quarterback Lamar Jackson. The 2-time MVP has been amazing in the regular season, but the postseason is a whole different story. Over the last 3 seasons, the Ravens have failed Lamar Jackson in high-pressure games that heartbreakingly ended their season. As long as Lamar Jackson is the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, the Ravens will be contenders in the AFC. And, if the 2026 season ends with no Lombardi Trophy, Lamar Jackson will be under the most pressure moving forward.
Overall Thoughts:
The 2026 season is right around the corner, and the Baltimore Ravens are a team that is under pressure. They are a team with the talent they have that can win a Super Bowl for the city of Baltimore. If they can win a Super Bowl in 2026, then that pressure will be taken off of them. But, if their disappointment again, then the pressure will continue to rise for this team.
