Eric DeCosta’s sneaky signing is already meshing perfectly with Ravens culture

The Baltimore Ravens needed some mass upfront to replace Michael Pierce after he retired earlier in the offseason. They got just that with their recent signing, John Jenkins, who came over after spending the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The team had so many young pass-rush-focused linemen in the trenches that they needed to bring in a big veteran who could help stop the run. Baltimore is hoping Jenkins will be just that. And he already fits in perfectly with Baltimore's tight-knit culture.

John Jenkins is already locked in and ready to go

Jenkins was seen at practice on Tuesday, going through drills with the coaching staff as he prepares for his 13th season in the NFL. The 35-year-old will don the number 62, which no one has worn since offensive tackle David Sharpe in 2021. 

But many Ravens fans see the former Raider wearing the number and might immediately think of Terrence Cody. Like Cody, Jenkins will likely be a ferocious nose tackle who can easily clog run lanes and eat blocks. The monster veteran playing alongside Baltimore’s rising star, run defender Travis Jones, should keep the team in the conversation for the best run defense in the league.

Although Jenkins lacks much pass-rush ability, the Ravens don’t need much more pass-rush help from the interior. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike has blossomed into a perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro, and he’s linked to a $98-million deal with the Ravens through 2027. 

While he’s a star, the Texas A&M product needs help, and Jenkins can offer just that. While Madubuike was one of the best at pressuring the quarterback from the interior in 2024, he was also one of the most double-teamed players in football. With Jenkins’ size, he can help eat some of those doubles and allow Madubuike and the rest of the Ravens defensive line to play to the best of their abilities.

At 35 years old, Jenkins is considered an old man in today’s NFL, but he can still get it done in the trenches. He’s started every game over the past two seasons and has continued to prove to be a factor against run offenses. Baltimore doesn’t need a flashy star. They need a player to do the dirty work at nose tackle, and they’re hoping Jenkins can be that guy. 

While Baltimore will miss Pierce, the rise of Jones should offer Ravens fans a glimpse at the future, and the arrival of Jenkins and his size should intrigue them with the potential the defense could reach in 2025. And seeing Jenkins getting after it on the practice field a day after officially signing his contract raises no questions about whether or not he’ll fit in with the locker room and the team’s bond they’ve built over the years.

More Balti