The Baltimore Ravens have been knocking on the door for years, and two-time Super Bowl champion and franchise legend Terrell Suggs thinks the pressure is peaking now.
In a conversation with The Action Network, Suggs broke down Baltimore’s chances, Lamar Jackson’s legacy, and where the roster still needs help in 2025.
Suggs also suggests that the NFL, as a business, is scared of Lamar Jackson becoming the face of the league.
Just in case you missed it, the Ravens’ 2024 season ended with a 27-25 loss to the Bills in the Divisional Round, and they open 2025 at Buffalo on September 7.
Make or Break Year: “Super Bowl or bust”
Asked if this is finally the year Baltimore clears the last hurdle, Suggs didn’t pull back.
“You never know, man. We hope so! But you know, the injury rate in the NFL is a hundred percent. You gotta stay healthy and you gotta win the big games.
You gotta win the game you're supposed to, but also when the stage is the brightest, and stakes are the highest, you gotta play your best football.
[The Ravens] have been falling a little short on that in the previous year. So I do think this is a make or break year. If they don’t make the Super Bowl, I fear the team may go in different directions everywhere.
They're on the clock, so to say.”
Suggs on expectations:
“This is the NFL man, you know what I'm saying? This is America's game. So the pressure's always there.
Our fan base in Baltimore, they only want one thing, and it's the Super Bowl or bust.
For us, making it to the playoffs isn't enough. Winning the division isn't enough. It's gotta be the Super Bowl or bust.”
What’s Working, And What’s Missing
When it comes to strenghts, Suggs goes straight to the backfield.
“It’s always good to have a two-time MVP touching the ball on every play, when your offense is at the helm. They have that in Lamar Jackson, so that's always good!
They also got the big guy in the back, King Derrick Henry… But everybody knows a running back’s durability in the NFL. Even though he has exceeded these expectations being a big power back. It’s good to have those two back there.”
P.S: Henry is under contract through 2027 after a two-year extension signed in May.
On the not so bright side, Suggs still sees a gap:
“The problem areas, I think we need a true number one receiver. Mark Andrews and [Isaiah] Likely, they can only do so much, the tight ends.
We need a true number one receiver. The [Rashod] Bateman's gonna have to be that guy for us, or Zay Flowers. I think they're the best.
This is just my opinion. Number two receivers, you know what I'm saying? Zay is a killer in the slot. Not many nickel cornerbacks can cover him one on one.
But I think we need that true number one receiver, or someone to emerge as a number one receiver.”
Waiting on Odell?
When asked who could be that No. 1 target, Suggs pointed to a familiar name.
“We thought we had one a couple years ago in Odell. But he was coming off injury, he hadn't played in a couple years. Injuries just do something to, you know, an athlete.
We’re all still waiting on ‘that’ Odell to show up, the one we saw in the Super Bowl. Like he was on his way to getting Super Bowl MVP before he got hurt.”
For context, as of September 2, 2025, Odell Beckham Jr. is a free agent. He played for Miami in 2024 and was waived on December 13, 2024. Reports in mid-August 2025 indicated he intends to play this season and has shown interest.
Advice for Lamar & Why the NFL Is Scared of Him Becoming the New Face of the League
Lamar Jackson remains the only two-time NFL MVP without a Super Bowl ring. The 2024 AP MVP went to Josh Allen on February 6, 2025 at NFL Honors.
“Well, I think there's no question about it. He's the top quarterback in the league. I think the only one who's got either as many MVPs or more is Patrick Mahomes.
I think last year was definitely a controversial MVP, even though Josh Allen had an amazing year. But Lamar had a better year than he had previous when he did win the MVP.
So it's like what are we doing? I think the NFL as a business is scared of Lamar Jackson, for him to become the face of the league. And I think that has something to do with him not winning the MVP last year.”
So what’s the key for Lamar?
If Suggs were in the locker room, his message would be simple: be yourself.
“I would tell him to be himself, man. He gets unfairly criticized. He needs to just be himself.
If your instinct and your God-given ability is what’s been successful for you this far, be that guy. Don't worry about them talking about you running the ball, it's just feathers in the wind.
Where he wants to try to prove himself is like, ‘I'm the best quarterback in this game, and I could do it from the pocket.’ Well, if that is not your game, then don't do that!
You never see any great player avert his game because the media is harping on him to do so. That's in any sport. When he got the reins, when he first came in the league, the league had to adjust to him. He shouldn't have to adjust his game to what the league thinks is quarterbacking.
Winning is winning. However you do it is however you do it.
I would tell him, be Lamar Jackson, man. Be who you are. They're going to harp on his game because it's so unconventional. It's not what they're used to seeing.
You know, Vick [Michael Vick] got the same criticism. I think that comes from arrogant offensive coordinators that want head coaching jobs, that think they're offensive gurus.
Well, if I don't have the supporting cast, if I'm under pressure and I can escape and run and get us first downs and keep drives going with my legs then I'm gonna do so!
People who love this game don't really love change. They’re used to the guy from Foxborough standing in the pocket, lighting teams up and throwing the ball deep.
We’re used to Mahomes' magic and then Lamar comes in with this South Florida street ball, backyard playing, and he's tearing the league up. And they like, ‘whoa, that's not the style of football we’re used to seeing.’
He just needs to like having the league bend to his will. If you look at it, it was the same way. It's a different sport, but with Allen Iverson.
Allen came in, they weren't used to the braids and the tattoos and his style of play at point guard. But now that's everywhere in today's game.
I would just tell Lamar to be himself, man. You being who you are is what got you two-time MVP. The most successful quarterback in the history of our franchise. Just be yourself man.”
Who From This Roster Could’ve Played With Suggs’ Super Bowl Team?
Suggs was also asked if any current Ravens would’ve fit right in on the 2012 championship roster.
“Kyle Hamilton. He could have been on that team. I love Kyle Hamilton.
Roquan Smithy, even though we had the best middle linebacker ever to play the game. He would probably either be on side or behind him.
Offensively, of course, Mark Andrews. Our tight ends were iconic that year. We had Dennis Pitta and Ed Dixon. We had a team. It’s hard to say, but of course a couple of the guys on the team now could have played with us then.
But the one thing about a Super Bowl team, it's a championship team. It’s kind of hard to say, but definitely a couple of guys could have been on there.”
Want more intel?
- Kyle Hamilton signed a record four-year extension last week, reported at $100.4 million with $82 million guaranteed. He enters 2025 off All-Pro honors (NFLPA first team; AP second team).
- Roquan Smith is coming off another first-team AP All-Pro in 2024, his third straight.
- Mark Andrews missed a recent practice but was expected back the following week, with Baltimore indicating he’s on track early in the season.
- For reference, the 2012 Ravens tight end room did feature Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson during the Super Bowl XLVII run.
Also as of writing, the Ravens are currently +650 in the Super Bowl odds. If you want to place a bet on this, make sure to check out this bet365 Bonus Code first. Plus, odds move, and some books have Baltimore between +600 and +700 today. Always check live numbers before you bet!
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