OTL: A Summer of Ravens Reunions?

Summer is always a great time to get together with those close to you. There are cookouts, pool parties, family vacations, and plenty of occasions to reconnect with folks you haven’t seen in a while. For the Ravens, they’ll have plenty of time over the next few months to see each other, but is a reunion in store with some former members of the roster?

In case you missed it last week, there were rumors circulating about veteran moves in this wave of free agency after Jamal Adams paid a visit to The Castle. The RSR crew had their thoughts on how he might fit (or not).

ICYMI@RSRLombardi weighs in on the possibility of Jamal Adams joining #RavensFlock https://t.co/AAznyr8dgY

— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) May 28, 2024

Given that the front office clearly isn’t done shopping, there’s been conversation about guys who once donned black and purple, and where they might fit if they came back. Granted, some of this is conversation and nothing more (after all, it’s the doldrums of the offseason), but there are reasons to believe each of these guys might be in consideration to suit up for Baltimore in the coming year. Given that the Ravens appear to be in the market for a veteran safety, I was in the middle of writing about how Tony Jefferson might be in consideration…

Source: Former #Ravens star safety Tony Jefferson is coming out of retirement and plans to play this upcoming season.

Jefferson has stayed in shape, has been training, and wants to play again. He intends to start talking to teams in the near future after spending last season… pic.twitter.com/ZKU6yQA7zC

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 28, 2024

…but unfortunately, it looks like Ravens West got there first.

Source: Former #Ravens safety Tony Jefferson will tryout for the #Chargers during their upcoming minicamp.

Jefferson, who grew up in San Diego, is coming out of retirement and has a few teams interested. New Bolts GM Joe Hortiz was previously in Baltimore with Jefferson. pic.twitter.com/GWKdPzRcrB

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 3, 2024

I’d seen some mixed reactions to the news that Jefferson was coming out of retirement, and that was understandable. After all, TJ hasn’t suited up since 2022 with the New York Giants, and even with reports that he’s keeping up his playing shape, it takes a lot to get field-ready again. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder how that veteran presence and leadership would’ve fit with such a young secondary, especially now that he served as a scout for the rookies they brought in this year.

While it looks unlikely that he’ll return to Baltimore, it’s only a tryout with the Chargers, so maybe the door isn’t closed just yet.

Elsewhere, if we’re staying on the subject of leadership…

Bleacher Report says it would make sense for that Ravens to bring back DL Calais Campbell

“Campbell is a pass-rusher who would make sense for Baltimore…Baltimore is seeking a Super Bowl in 2024 and needs a deeper pass-rushing rotation” pic.twitter.com/da7kOgY0yK

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 2, 2024

…oh, man, would this do my heart some good.

Calais Campbell was one of those guys that felt like he’d been a Raven at heart forever, and when he finally got here, he was a fantastic fit from jump. It’s not like he’s playing on his last legs, either; even at 37 years old, he’s still shown plenty of productivity over the last few seasons. We’ve all seen what Calais can do mixed in as a situational pass rusher, and his acumen for batting the ball down at the line or on special teams was missed last season. I do wonder where the fit would be given the guys they have at the position, including guys who earned their spots studying behind Calais, but he provides depth at a position that could’ve used some coming out of the Draft. It doesn’t make that unit any younger, but maybe this gives Calais a shot to go out on top.

He’s not the only veteran that could return to that D-line, though. How about this pair of proposals from Bleacher Report?

Bleacher Report proposed a trade between the Ravens and the Patriots

Ravens receive: LB Matthew Judon, two 2025 seventh-round picks

Patriots receive: 2025 fifth-round pick, 2026 fifth-round pick

“A reunion with the Ravens would make sense for all parties involved” pic.twitter.com/h8jLgL3MSg

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) May 24, 2024

Bleacher Report recommends the Ravens add pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue before the 2024 season begins

“It’d be smart [for Baltimore] to reunite with Ngakoue, especially since he’d likely just be used as a pass-rusher to mitigate his issues defending the run” pic.twitter.com/rEn6n82VF3

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) May 25, 2024

Let’s start with the obvious caveat that Matt Judon would require a trade, as well as some creative bookkeeping. Judon’s bicep injury early last season cost him most of the year, but prior to that, he had career seasons in New England in ‘21 and ‘22. If the Ravens can somehow convince New England to eat a good portion of Judon’s contract in exchange for draft capital, I would be all about this move. My only lingering question would be Judon’s buy-in, given that there seemed to be some sour grapes toward Baltimore’s front office for years after his departure…

Unfortunately they won’t pay them

— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) November 3, 2022

…but maybe a chance to come back and compete for a championship heals old wounds.

Meanwhile, Yannick Ngakoue is a player whose success I’ve always wanted, especially when he landed here, but he never really fit in Wink Martindale’s system. The suggestion that he could come as more of a pure run stuffer makes sense, but based on how much the Ravens coaching staff values do-it-all versatility in their defense, I don’t see a natural path to Ngakoue returning. Then again, I’m not in on those conversations, and maybe Z.O. and Chuck Smith will see something that I don’t.

If you’re waiting for news on one of these moves to get made soon, I wouldn’t hold your breath. Jadeveon Clowney didn’t ink his deal until well into Training Camp last year, and Kyle Van Noy landed in Baltimore several weeks into the season. Rest assured, though, if any moves do come through in the coming days and weeks, we’ve got you covered.

The post OTL: A Summer of Ravens Reunions? appeared first on Russell Street Report.