The Baltimore Ravens are entering the 2025 NFL season with heightened expectations, sharpened by past struggles and abundant talent at running back. Derrick Henry, Baltimore’s star running back, continues to grapple with regret over a critical playoff moment as the team endeavors to improve its overall performance. As training camp unfolds at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, the Ravens strive to address last season’s shortcomings and prepare for tougher opponents ahead.

Defensive coordinator Zach Orr expressed confidence about the team‘s progress, stating,

“We’re light years ahead of where we were at,”

—Zach Orr, Defensive Coordinator. Last year, Baltimore’s defense ranked last in pass defense through ten weeks, frequently allowing opponents to exploit missed coverages, a vulnerability that cost the team dearly in the playoffs.

Offensively, the Ravens returned their league-leading rushing attack, bolstered by the presence of Derrick Henry and newly healthy backs competing for playing time. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken highlighted the depth, remarking on the return of Keaton Mitchell as a significant asset. Mitchell’s speed and versatility have restored excitement around the backfield, creating fierce competition for touches alongside Henry and Justice Hill.

Monken captured the situation succinctly:

“He’s going to have to fight to get touches. Let’s just say it how he is. Two years ago, we didn’t have Derrick (Henry).”

—Jeff Zrebiec, reporter, via tweet. The vivid competition between Mitchell and Hill reflects Baltimore’s strength but also its challenges in balancing opportunities within an already potent rushing unit.

Roster and Running Back Battle: Mitchell’s Return and Hill’s Stability

After suffering a knee injury in 2023, Keaton Mitchell has recovered fully and demonstrated his explosiveness during early training sessions. His acceleration and open-field ability promise to make him a difficult player to contain, contributing as both a runner and a return specialist. Mitchell’s improved pass-catching further adds layers to the Ravens’ offensive strategies, allowing offensive schemes that maximize his unpredictability.

Justice Hill offers consistency and reliability, particularly valued for his proficiency in pass protection—critical in safeguarding quarterback Lamar Jackson during passing situations. At 27, Hill remains durable despite a history of injuries, and his ability to reliably execute screen passes creates dependable offensive options.

The combined skill sets of Mitchell and Hill complement Derrick Henry’s bruising running style, giving Baltimore a multidimensional rushing attack. Monken faces the challenge of dividing playing time effectively to maintain high production while satisfying the competing talents. As the Ravens aim to improve from last year’s defensive struggles and leverage their offensive depth, the running back rotation will come under scrutiny throughout the season.

The Playoff Regret That Shadows Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry’s transformation in his first season with the Ravens was statistically dominant: 1,921 rushing yards, a 5.9 yards-per-carry average, and 16 touchdowns, tying him for the league lead. Despite this, a single play from the divisional round playoff loss to Buffalo haunts him deeply. Early in that game, Henry dropped a catchable pass behind the line of scrimmage during the Ravens’ opening drive, an error that he has not been able to shake mentally.

Henry shared his remorse candidly, admitting,

“I still think about the pass I dropped early in that game,”

—Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens Running Back. The missed opportunity was not a difficult catch but a wide-open reception that could have changed the game‘s momentum significantly. Though Baltimore scored on that possession regardless, the play has lingered as a painful memory for Henry.

The Ravens’ loss was further compounded by a two-point conversion drop by tight end Mark Andrews that ultimately ended Baltimore’s playoff run. Henry’s performance in that game—84 yards and a touchdown—was solid but fell short of his dominant showing the previous week, where he rushed for 186 yards against Pittsburgh. This juxtaposition between regular-season supremacy and postseason disappointment defines Henry’s challenging emotional landscape.

At 31 years old, Henry delivered his best season in Baltimore but remains haunted by the playoff defeat, a mental hurdle that could fuel his motivation or add pressure as the Ravens look forward to their 2025 campaign under head coach John Harbaugh. The team’s capacity to lean on Henry, along with the rising talents of Mitchell and Hill, will be critical in determining their postseason fate.

Looking Ahead: What the Ravens and Henry Face in 2025

The 2025 season will test Baltimore’s ability to build on their improved defense and robust offense while managing the complexities of a crowded running back room. Derrick Henry’s struggle to put the Buffalo playoff drop behind him symbolizes the high stakes and personal accountability elite athletes carry into critical games. His mental resilience, combined with the fierce competition from Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill, creates a dynamic yet uncertain outlook.

Head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken will need to balance player workloads carefully while maximizing the strengths of a deep roster. With opponents expected to present greater challenges, quick starts and consistent performances will be essential for the Ravens to advance beyond last season’s disappointments. The future of Baltimore’s running game remains both promising and unsettled, hinging on how these players rise to meet the expectations and overcome past regrets.