Ben Roethlisberger raises eyebrows with his take on the Ravens
Whenever Ben Roethlisberger has something negative to say about the Baltimore Ravens, there’s always going to be some suspicion of rivalry bias. Even so, it doesn’t mean his latest comments should be dismissed out of hand.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback recently argued that Baltimore is “falling apart” and suggested the Ravens no longer feel like the same team. He pointed to the departure of longtime head coach John Harbaugh, concerns about Derrick Henry’s age, and questions about Lamar Jackson’s 2025 performance as reasons the Super Bowl window may be closing. It is a strong opinion, and the interesting part is that some of the facts actually back it up.
Jackson skipped most voluntary OTAs this spring but showed up for training camp. While head coach Todd Monken had said he was comfortable with Jackson’s decision at the time, fans are still watching closely for any early signs that could justify Roethlisberger’s doubts.
The departure of running back Derrick Henry also adds another layer to those concerns. The 2024 season was difficult enough for Baltimore in its own right without having one more question added to a growing pile.
Minter takes the helm after Harbaugh’s long tenure
For 17 seasons, the Ravens were shaped by Harbaugh’s leadership. That stretch came to an end following an 8-9 campaign in 2025, one that kept Baltimore out of the playoffs and led to a coaching change.
Filling that void was never going to be easy, and Baltimore opted for Jesse Minter. He may have ties to the organisation, but this is still unfamiliar ground for the franchise. Roethlisberger’s take on all of this makes sense; after all, these aren’t the same Ravens from even a season ago.
Jackson’s 2025 campaign left plenty of questions
Lamar Jackson had just come off an MVP-level season in 2024, but things changed the following year. He played only 13 games, putting up 2,549 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven picks. But it was his rushing that stood out the most – or rather, didn’t. Jackson managed just 349 rushing yards, a huge drop for a player known for causing so many problems on the ground.
Those numbers wouldn’t raise eyebrows for most quarterbacks, but for Jackson, they felt below par. That doesn’t mean he’s finished by any means, but it does add weight to why some people are starting to question where he’s headed.
Derrick Henry put together another productive season in 2025, racking up 1,595 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. But he’s turning 32 this year, and that’s typically when running backs start to slow down. While Henry has spent his career proving doubters wrong and handling huge workloads, Roethlisberger isn’t the only one questioning how much longer he can keep it going.
Where the argument falls apart
The concerns are reasonable. The conclusion is where it breaks down. Calling the Ravens a team that is “falling apart” ignores how much talent is still on the roster. Jackson remains one of the most gifted quarterbacks in football. Henry is still one of the league’s most dangerous runners. Mark Andrews is a proven weapon, and Baltimore’s defense still features cornerstone players capable of anchoring one of the NFL’s better units.
The Ravens also made a significant offseason investment in pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, a move aimed at one of the team’s biggest weaknesses from last season. That is how a franchise trying to climb back into contention behaves, not one quietly accepting decline.
Roethlisberger’s comments came after a difficult season
For almost twenty years, the Ravens were defined by John Harbaugh. That period ended after an 8-9 campaign in 2025, which not only saw Baltimore miss the playoffs but also led to the departure of the most successful coach in franchise history. Filling those shoes was always going to be a challenge. The Ravens handed the role to former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who already had connections within the organisation.
That continuity might have helped ease the transition on paper, but replacing a figure like Harbaugh naturally comes with growing pains. Even though Baltimore kept much of its roster intact, leadership changes like this one tend to bring about real shifts in team identity and direction.
The strength still left on Baltimore’s roster
No one should overlook how much talent remains in this group: Jackson still has incredible ability; Henry remains effective; Mark Andrews provides a steady target; and defensively there are enough pieces left behind from previous seasons who could keep that side competitive again.
The decision to go after Trey Hendrickson during free agency was another sign that points away from quiet acceptance of any slide downwards—Baltimore seems intent on fixing holes rather than just accepting them as fate takes over control from effort alone.
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