The Baltimore Ravens haven't lacked talent in recent seasons, or most seasons for that matter. What's been unique to these new Ravens, however, is their identity. For much of this team's history, the vocal leaders and faces of this franchise played on defense: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Tony Siragusa, etc.
This is now, unquestionably, Lamar Jackson's team, and that's hardly a criticism. We're talking about a team built around one of the best quarterbacks of his generation. With that, however, came a cultural shift. An organization once defined by Hall of Fame defenders is now recognized for an offense capable of overwhelming opponents. Under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, many believe that ceiling is even higher.
Anytime the Ravens
have a healthy Lamar Jackson, they enter the game with a chance to win. This is a team that has championship aspirations, but the problem hasn't always been getting into position to win. It's been finishing.
Roger Rosengarten wants Baltimore to finish like the great Ravens teams.
Third-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten believes one of the lessons this team has carried into training camp under first-year head coach Jesse Minter is developing the mindset to put teams away. Speaking with reporters after Baltimore's first padded practice, Rosengarten acknowledged that the Ravens have left too much on the field late in games during his first two NFL seasons.
"One hundred percent... It showed from my rookie year to second year, and now going into my third year... Myself, as a player, and as a team, finishing in the fourth quarter has not been our best. I feel like that's not Ravens football. We talk about Ravens football and the history behind it. You want to be talked about like one of the greats, but that's about finishing in the fourth quarter."
Rosengarten embraced the standard that comes with wearing Baltimore's uniform. That mindset has shaped his offseason preparation. Rosengarten explained that earlier in training camp, he made conditioning a major focus because he wants to dominate deep into long drives rather than fade as games wear on.
"If I wear out the defensive lineman in front of me, it's going to be good."
The comments also align with the philosophy new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford has emphasized since arriving in Baltimore. Ledford has repeatedly stressed toughness, finish and relentless effort as the defining traits of his offensive line. Rosengarten believes those traits will ultimately determine whether Baltimore takes the next step.
"You have to leave everything out on the line. If you do that, I think you cannot be upset with the result, and the results will show in wins."
It's an encouraging message for a team with legitimate Super Bowl expectations. The Ravens don't believe they need to reinvent themselves in 2026. They believe they need to become a team that plays its best football when the game hangs in the balance. If they do so, they're going to win a lot of games and put themselves into position to possibly make a deep postseason run.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Roger Rosengarten challenges Ravens to finish games in fourth quarter
