The Baltimore Ravens could reunite with pass rusher Odafe Oweh, and their chances of doing so received a huge update.
One of the biggest areas of concern and improvement for the Baltimore Ravens is the pass rush. While players like defensive tackle Travis Jones have excelled, there is still not nearly enough on the pass rush front.
General manager Eric DeCosta will need to address the unit, whether that is during the draft or in free agency. Regarding free agency, the Ravens could look to a familiar face in Odafe Oweh.
The Los Angeles Chargers did not place a franchise tag on Oweh by the deadline, leaving him to become a free agent when the league year starts next week.
Oweh previously played for and was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite 23 sacks in his first four seasons, Baltimore chose to trade the pass rusher to the Chargers in November, landing safety Alohi Gilman in the process.
Oweh would end up playing for then-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who helped guide the linebacker to 7.5 sacks.
With a resurgence, Oweh should fetch a good contract when free agency starts, and the Ravens could be the right team to bring him back.
Clearly, the tutelage of Minter helped Oweh rebound in a big way, and the former defensive coordinator is now the head coach of the Ravens.
Minter addressed Oweh and the possibility of landing him in February during a press conference for the coordinators.
"Odafa, you know, we made a trade, picked him up. At the time needed an edge rusher and I know, you know, Joe and Eric obviously worked out the trade. I think we just created an environment for him that he played with a lot of confidence. I simplified some things that we were asking him to do. Allowed him at times to have a little more freedom as a pass rusher. Uh, I know he's earned the right to be a free agent now and he had a really good statistical ending to his his uh initial contract in the NFL," Minter said.
Minter initially addressed how he was able to unlock a level for Oweh, where he was a successful pass rusher again. With a more simplified defensive scheme, he could experience the same resurgence back with the Ravens.
Baltimore also brought back Anthony Weaver, who is now the defensive coordinator under Minter. While Oweh could have some hurt feelings over being traded, his return to the Ravens would give the team a productive pass rusher who is sorely needed.
Per Spotrac, Oweh is predicted to land a three-year, $57 million deal. While that could be a lot to DeCosta and the front office, Minter and Weaver might press to get the stalwart defender back in the building.