Feb. 16, 2026, 5:14 a.m. ET
The NFL off-season is underway, and the Ravens are officially ready for business after announcing a new staff that included 25 coaches, including three holdovers from John Harbaugh’s staff. The Ravens will initially have 22 unrestricted free agents according to Over The Cap, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre’Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar’Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will have decisions to make on. Odafe Oweh was one of the biggest names on the list, but he was traded, while Kyle Hamilon and Mark Andrews signed huge contract extensions.
The new league year is fast approaching, and there are 25 days until the legal tampering period begins. The NFL released key dates for the calendar year. The most important date after the Super Bowl is the early negotiation window. That’ll open on March 9, giving teams two days to negotiate before free agency and the new league year kicks off on March 11.
With the off-season in full swing, we’re taking an early look at the Ravens’ free agents and the reasons for or against them returning.
DT Dre’Mont Jones: UFA
Age: 29
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For his return: Entering Week 16, Jones was leading the Ravens in pressures (20) and quick pressures (8) since they acquired him in Week 10. Among Ravens defenders with 150 pass rush snaps, Jones led all Baltimore defenders in Pass rush win rate. Overall, Jones had 2.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits for the Ravens, which, coupled with his production in Tennessee, gives him seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits total in 2025, both career highs.
DB Alohi Gilman: UFA
Age: 29
For his return: Gilman won an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award, and he was a key part of the Ravens’ defensive turnaround since Baltimore acquired him in a midseason trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. Overall, Gilman logged 68 tackles, a forced fumble, and a touchdown return with the Ravens, but struggled in coverage, earning a 71.9 grade and allowing 26 catches.
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Void
Age: 34
Against his return: “I definitely want to play. I know I want to play one more year for sure,” Hopkins said on “The Lounge” podcast last week. A 13-year vet and free agent, Hopkins was the Ravens’ third option behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Hopkins’ 37 targets were similar to Rashod Bateman (38) and Isaiah Likely (35) as he logged 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns, career lows in nearly every significant receiving category. Devontez Walker is on the cusp of a huge leap and needs the snaps as the big play option in Declan Doyle’s offense.
Edge Kyle Van Noy: UFA
Age: 35
Against his return: Van Noy, 34, just finished his third season in Baltimore and dropped from 12 1/2 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025.
C Tyler Linderbaum: UFA
Age: 26
For his return: Linderbaum, the team’s top pending free agent, said he “absolutely” wants to return. The Ravens did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, but he still could return on a deal that puts him in the top five highest-paid centers.
DB Ar’Darius Washington: UFA
Age: 27
For his return: While the Ravens’ depth chart lists Washington as the backup strong safety behind Kyle Hamilton, he’s a key contributor at other positions in the defensive backfield.
FB Patrick Ricard: UFA
Age: 32
For his return: Ricard, an undrafted rookie in 2017 and a six-time Pro Bowler, said he’d love to come back and eventually retire as a Raven. The Pro Bowl fullback has played a pivotal role in Derrick Henry’s two-year dominance.
WR Tylan Wallace: Void
Age: 27
Against his return: Wallace saw action in 13 games this season, collecting four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. The Ravens focused on a wide receiver corps of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester for the bulk of the season. Wester is also the primary punt return player.
OL Joe Noteboom: UFA
Age: 31
Against his return: Noteboom played 151 snaps for the Ravens as a swing tackle, posting a 34.1 pass block grade.
OLB David Ojabo: UFA
Age: 26
Against his return: A second-round pick in 2022, Ojabo finished the 2025 season with 0.5 sacks and seven tackles.
DB Chidobe Awuzie: UFA
Age: 31
For his return: The 30-year-old cornerback had his moments in 2025, and his 74.7 grade from PFF was 14th best in the NFL.
QB Tyler Huntley: UFA
Age: 28
For his return: Huntley played well in relief of Lamar Jackson and is a candidate to return.
OL Daniel Faalele: UFA
Age: 27
Against his return: Daniel Faalele was the 52nd-rated guard in the league according to PFF.
P Jordan Stout: UFA
Age: 28
For his return: Stout earned a Pro Bowl nod after his 50.1 yards per punt average was 5th in the NFL.
TE Isaiah Likely: UFA
Age: 26
For his return: Likely had his training camp derailed by a broken foot and was inconsistent thereafter. His training camp was cut short after he broke his foot in late July during a one-on-one drill. He missed the start of the season and finished with 27 catches on 36 targets for 307 yards, all career lows. Still, he’s a dynamic playmaker and one of Jackson’s most explosive targets.