On a warm, humid afternoon in Owings Mills, Maryland, the Baltimore Ravens opened up their training facility to the media, and the tone was a combination of optimism, grit, and reflective discipline as head coach John Harbaugh, tight ends coach George Godsey, and third-year tight end Charlie Kolar each stepped to the microphone. The offseason narrative surrounding the Ravens has been dominated by a mix of excitement and uncertainty. With Lamar Jackson returning to full strength, a retooled receiving corps, and a defense that remains one of the best in the NFL, the franchise is poised for a serious Super Bowl push. However, as Harbaugh and his assistants have made clear, the Ravens are not just aiming to survive the AFC gauntlet—they intend to dominate it, and tight ends will play a major role in that plan.
Harbaugh, always methodical and measured when speaking publicly, opened the press conference by addressing the team’s offseason progress. He praised the young players for showing maturity beyond their years and credited his veteran leaders for embracing the mentorship role. But what stood out most was his emphasis on the tight ends group, which has historically been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ offensive identity. “You look at our history, from Todd Heap to Dennis Pitta to Mark Andrews—we’ve always leaned on tight ends,” Harbaugh noted. “That position represents so much of what we value: toughness, intelligence, physicality, and versatility. And I think this year, we have one of the most complete tight end rooms I’ve ever been around.”
A key reason for Harbaugh’s optimism is the development of Charlie Kolar. Drafted in 2022 out of Iowa State, Kolar entered the league with a reputation as a technician—an intelligent, sure-handed player with high football IQ and red-zone potential. Injuries stalled his rookie season, but the glimpses were there. By 2023, he had carved out a niche role behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. But this year, expectations are considerably higher. Harbaugh referred to Kolar as “a quiet storm,” adding, “He’s not going to be the loudest guy in the room, but when you watch the tape, he does everything right. And that matters.”
When George Godsey took the mic, his message was equally detailed but more technically focused. A former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator, Godsey brings a cerebral approach to coaching. His tight ends are expected to block like linemen and catch like wideouts—a tall task, but one Godsey believes Kolar and the group are capable of. “We challenge them every day,” Godsey said. “Whether it’s fitting up the right angle on a defensive end or identifying the coverage pre-snap to adjust a route mid-flight—these guys are being asked to do a lot. And what I love about Charlie is he embraces that complexity. He thrives in it.”
Godsey also mentioned the dynamic nature of having three playable tight ends in Andrews, Likely, and Kolar. “Each guy brings something different to the table. Mark is our alpha—he’s physical, emotional, and has that unteachable chemistry with Lamar. Isaiah is explosive; he’s a mismatch problem in space. And Charlie? Charlie’s the connector. He understands the full picture—run game, pass protection, route structures. He’s like a chess player out there. Doesn’t need flash to be effective.”
But it was Kolar himself who stole the show. Soft-spoken but confident, Kolar stepped up to the podium and delivered one of the more thoughtful media appearances of the day. His answers were humble, but not hollow. Asked about what he worked on most during the offseason, Kolar smiled and replied, “Everything. I’m never satisfied. I went back and watched every snap I played last season, and then I watched every snap I didn’t play. Tried to understand the why—why was I in the game here, why wasn’t I there? Why did the play break down? Why did it succeed? That’s the only way to improve.”
Kolar’s approach has always been analytical. A former Academic All-American, he treats football like an evolving problem to solve. He discussed how he worked with the team’s nutritionists, strength coaches, and even sports psychologists during the offseason. “People forget that football isn’t just a physical game—it’s mental and emotional too. You need to be in the right headspace to handle the ups and downs of a season. I learned that the hard way my rookie year, when I let an injury mess with my confidence. Not this time.”
Asked about playing behind two proven stars in Andrews and Likely, Kolar shrugged. “I love it. Those are two of the best tight ends in the league, and I get to learn from them every single day. There’s no ego in our room. We compete hard, but we’re also constantly coaching each other up. Mark’s always in my ear about footwork on my stems. Isaiah’s showing me tricks with leverage and release timing. And I try to help them too—whether it’s suggesting a formation tweak or pointing out something I saw on film. That’s how we grow.”
When a reporter pressed Kolar on whether he sees himself becoming a starter someday, his answer was revealing. “I don’t think about it in terms of starter or backup. I think about it in terms of value. Am I helping this team win? Am I giving our offense something it didn’t have before? Whether that’s 10 snaps a game or 50, I want to make each one count. That’s my mindset.”
It’s a mindset the Ravens have quietly built their culture around. Harbaugh’s team doesn’t tend to chase headlines in the offseason. They focus on fit, cohesion, and long-term sustainability. In a division as physical as the AFC North, those qualities matter. Harbaugh emphasized this again when asked about offensive balance. “We want to be unpredictable, but not random. You can be unpredictable by formation, personnel, motion—but your identity still has to shine through. For us, that identity involves physicality and precision. And tight ends embody both.”
With the Ravens experimenting with more 12 and 13 personnel sets this offseason, the importance of tight end depth has never been higher. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has long been a fan of multiple-tight-end schemes, dating back to his time at Georgia, where he leaned on Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington to generate mismatches and dictate tempo. Now with Andrews, Likely, and Kolar, he has the pieces to do something similar at the pro level.
Godsey spoke at length about how Kolar’s blocking has improved. “When Charlie came into the league, he was known for his hands and route running. But we challenged him to be more than that. We told him, ‘If you want to be on the field more, you’ve got to hold up in the run game and pass pro.’ And he’s taken that personally. He’s added muscle, he’s worked on hand placement, and he’s watching hours of tape on how elite blockers get it done.”
Godsey paused, then added, “Blocking isn’t just about strength—it’s about attitude and repetition. Charlie’s developing both.”
One of the quieter takeaways from the press conference was the way Kolar described the relationship between Lamar Jackson and his tight ends. “There’s a rhythm to it,” he said. “Lamar trusts guys who understand timing and spacing. If you’re where you’re supposed to be, he’ll find you. He doesn’t need you to be flashy—he needs you to be reliable. That’s what I’m trying to be for him.”
This chemistry between Jackson and his tight ends is no small factor. In previous years, Jackson leaned heavily on Mark Andrews during high-pressure moments. But defenses began adjusting, bracketing Andrews or jamming him at the line. That’s where Kolar’s emergence could be critical. A second or third tight end who can slip into a soft spot or chip and release with perfect timing could tilt the field back in Baltimore’s favor.
As the press conference drew to a close, Harbaugh was asked about his long-term view for the tight ends room. “This league changes every year,” he said. “What doesn’t change is the value of players who know how to play the game the right way. And when I look at Charlie, I see a guy who’s going to be in this league a long time—not because he’s flashy, but because he’s dependable, coachable, and tough. That’s who we are.”
Kolar didn’t linger long after the media session ended. He signed a few autographs, laughed with a group of fans, and quickly jogged back toward the practice field, where his teammates were running walkthroughs. No frills. No bravado. Just a quiet storm, continuing to rise.
