The Baltimore Ravens' secondary was not good last year. It was an issue they resolved with a couple of elite additions in the offseason, but it is still hard to ignore their troubling 2024. There is no doubt that defensive coordinator Zach Orr struggled to settle in during his first year at the helm, and even though they tightened up down the stretch, the defensive back group was still a critical problem. They were carved up for monster gains each week, and one wide receiver who had their number was Cincinnati Bengals superstar Ja’Marr Chase. And he knows it.
On an episode of ‘The Sitdown w/ Malik Wright,' Chase shared his perspective on his NFL journey. One of the talking points included the top defensive backs he has played against in the league. His list included some of the best lockdown corners, with a few residing in the AFC North. However, none of the names listed play for the Ravens.
The star-studded ranking was made up of the likes of Cleveland Browns corner Denzel Ward, Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh’s newest addition Jalen Ramsey, another new Steeler in Darius Slay, and Houston Texan and former LSU teammate Derek Stingley Jr.
All of these names are deserving of respect, but you could argue that Baltimore has players of the same caliber or better than a few names on the list. Most notable of the group is Marlon Humphrey. He may have turned in the best season of his career, earning All-Pro honors, and not even getting a mention from Chase could be considered a slight jab.
Ja’Marr Chase just poured more gas on the Ravens/Bengals rivalry
Yes, Chase usually puts up big-time numbers against Baltimore. He has been a thorn in their side since the start of his NFL career. It is also true that Humphrey has had game-changing moments against the 25-year-old.
Humphrey is no slouch. He brings the heat every snap and uses his physicality to keep receivers from creating separation and finding leverage. He showed that in Baltimore’s Week 5 win against the Bengals. After a dominant day from Chase, Humphrey changed the game on one play, beating the receiver to his spot and stealing an interception that allowed the Ravens to tie the game and send it to overtime.
While Chase does not seem phased by his matchups with Baltimore at the end of each game, Humphrey certainly makes him earn it and is miles better than some of the guys he listed. For instance, Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay? Those two do not compare to Humphrey. They are each solid corners in their own right, but Humphrey was named an All-Pro for a reason.
Chase and Humphrey respect each other as rivals, but this could be an extra motivator going into the year for the Ravens’ secondary, which looks to be the best in the NFL in 2025.
