Ravens GM Eric DeCosta describes 2023 season in one word
The Ravens' 2023 season was one for the books, boasting the NFL's best record (13-4) and No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, they came up short in the AFC Championship Game, losing to the Chiefs by a score of 17-10.
General manager Eric DeCosta had one word to describe it at Baltimore's season-review press conference on Friday.
"Disappointing," DeCosta told reporters. "It always is for most teams. But I don't have the luxury of dwelling on a season. We go to the Senior Bowl the next day. ... We're excited about the future."
As disappointing as the end of the season was for the Ravens, DeCosta is right in the fact that he has a very busy offseason ahead.
Baltimore is projected to have just $13.65M in cap space, according to Pro Football Focus, and the team has 23 unrestricted free agents. Several are key pieces to the roster, including RB Gus Edwards, WR Odell Beckham Jr., LB Patrick Queen, LB Jadeveon Clowney and DE Justin Madubuike.
Of course, the Ravens will be able to make some moves to free up more money. But it's unlikely it will be enough to keep all their key free agents.
There are a lot of big decisions ahead, but head coach John Harbaugh is still hurting over his team's loss in the AFC title game.
"I'm heartbroken with the fact that we didn't win that game at home, in front of our crowd for the first time in all these years," Harbaugh said. "But we all should be excited about where we're going and what's in front of us and what we're building here."
It may have been the most gut-wrenching loss for Baltimore in recent memory as it seemed to be its best shot at making a Super Bowl. But DeCosta doesn't think the team's Super Bowl window is closing anytime soon.
"I don't really subscribe to the idea of windows opening and closing," DeCosta added. "I'd like to believe that with careful roster building, good drafting and the development of players, the window is always going to be open."
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