Before the Baltimore Ravens began to work on their wide receiver unit this offseason, the team had some decisions to make along the offensive line as key figures Alex Lewis and Marshal Yanda are coming back from season-ending injuries. Baltimore gave James Hurst, who started at left guard in place for the injured Lewis, a 4-year contract worth up to $17.5 million. Austin Howard, the teams starting right tackle from 2017, was not retained.
Hurst and Howard both did well at their positions last year, and with Lewis coming back, it appeared Hurst would remain at left guard with Lewis competing for the right tackle job.