The Baltimore Ravens may find a replacement for Michael Pierce soon.

The Baltimore Ravens may find a replacement for Michael Pierce soon.

When Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce announced his retirement from the NFL on March 12, 2025, the decision came with a mixture of respect and concern. While Pierce’s choice to walk away from the game after eight impactful seasons was understood and admired, it also left a gaping hole in the heart of one of the NFL’s top defensive units.

Baltimore has long prided itself on defense, and a reliable nose tackle is essential for maintaining control in the trenches. The retirement of a key player like Pierce, who was instrumental in clogging running lanes and absorbing double teams, puts immediate pressure on the Ravens’ front office to respond. Whether through internal development, free agency, or the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, Baltimore is already on the clock to find a solution.

The Michael Pierce Legacy

Michael Pierce went undrafted in 2016 but quickly carved out a role with the Ravens. With his low center of gravity, powerful base, and 340-pound frame, Pierce became an anchor in Baltimore’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Over 70 career games with the Ravens, he totaled 244 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and countless pressures that never showed up on the stat sheet but disrupted offensive game plans.

Pierce’s performance during the 2024 season was a quiet masterclass in positional discipline and physicality. Baltimore’s defense finished top-five in rushing yards allowed per game (just 91.7), and Pierce was central to that success. His retirement, though not shocking given his recent string of injuries and time away from the game, means the Ravens must now move decisively.

Internal Candidate: Travis Jones

Perhaps the most natural option to replace Pierce is third-year defensive tackle Travis Jones. Drafted in the third round out of UConn in 2022, Jones was always seen as a developmental prospect with elite potential. Now, the opportunity to become a full-time starter has arrived.

In 2024, Jones quietly became a key rotational piece. He logged 39 tackles, 2 sacks, and a whopping 95.5% tackle efficiency, per Pro Football Focus. He showed particular promise in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, recording five pressures and several run stops in one of the best individual performances by a Ravens interior lineman that season.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 355 pounds, Jones possesses similar size to Pierce but with slightly more explosiveness. Coaches have praised his footwork and growing understanding of gap responsibilities. The coaching staff believes that with more reps and film work, Jones can not only fill Pierce’s shoes—but potentially exceed them.