Ravens have no excuse to ignore biggest need after shocking Joe Thuney trade
The Kansas City Chiefs just made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears, sending two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thuney to Chicago. It’s an obvious attempt to protect soon-to-be second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, but the move leaves Kansas City even thinner up front. This is a team that has already lost two Super Bowls because of shaky offensive line play, and now they’re willingly making themselves even more vulnerable? Sign us up.
The blueprint for beating Patrick Mahomes has been written. The Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both embarrassed Kansas City on the biggest stage by suffocating Mahomes in the pocket. If you can get consistent pressure with just four rushers, you can take away the deep passing game and force him into quick, uncomfortable throws.
The Ravens now have a golden opportunity to capitalize on this glaring weakness.
The Ravens must add a premier pass rusher in the 2025 offseason
With Thuney gone, the Chiefs are rumored to start second-year lineman Kingsley Suamataia in his place. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because he was unplayable last season. He posted a brutal 39.4 overall grade on PFF, including a 30.5 pass-blocking grade that ranked 131st out of 141 linemen. And now Kansas City is trusting him to keep Mahomes clean? Good luck.
Baltimore needs to go all-in on adding more pass-rushing firepower. They already have talent, but with Kyle Van Noy turning 34 and Odafe Oweh’s future suddenly murky after his cryptic social media posts, the Ravens can’t afford to stand pat.
Fortunately, there are options everywhere. Harold Landry is a potential trade target, and ESPN’s Ben Solak even projected the Ravens to land him for a fourth-round pick—an absolute steal for a guy with 50.5 career sacks. If Baltimore wants to go the veteran route, free agents like Khalil Mack or Von Miller could make sense as one-year rentals.
Then there’s the draft. The 2025 class is loaded with pass-rushing talent, and Eric DeCosta has already hinted that Baltimore will take one if the board falls that way. James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Mykel Williams (Georgia), and Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) are all in the mix at No. 27.
Pearce Jr. is the best pure pass-rusher in the class, with elite bend and burst off the edge. Stewart is a ridiculous athlete with size and power, while Williams offers an intriguing mix of technique and upside. Ezeiruaku is more of a project but has flashed high-end traits. Any of these guys could be instant-impact contributors for the Ravens.
The Ravens needed a premier pass rusher before this trade, but now? It’s officially time to hit the gas. There’s no better moment than right now to land a game-wrecker who can finally help them conquer the Mahomes-sized mountain that’s been standing in their way.
