No More Fun and Games: Ravens Strip Locker Room After Spiraling to 1-5 Start
The Baltimore Ravens are in crisis mode after a dismal start to the 2025-26 NFL season, prompting major changes off the field. Following their 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 28 — which dropped them to 1-3 — the team’s coaches have stripped the locker room of all recreational activities, hoping to shift focus back to football.
According to The Baltimore Sun, ping pong tables, video game consoles, cornhole boards, and even a basketball hoop have been removed from team facilities. Head coach John Harbaugh, who has led the team since 2008, is reportedly behind the decision, aiming to reset the mindset of a roster that’s been battling both injuries and inconsistency.
The move came shortly after Ravens punter Jordan Stout posted an Instagram story showing quarterback Lamar Jackson playing video games, jokingly captioned “Hard at work.” The post reportedly sparked concern within the organization over locker room culture amid mounting losses.
While such disciplinary tactics aren’t new in the NFL, they remain divisive. Some coaches believe removing distractions helps underperforming teams focus, while others see those recreational elements as key tools for player bonding and morale.
So far, the tough-love approach hasn’t paid off. Since the removal of the games, the Ravens have suffered two more consecutive defeats, bringing their record to a troubling 1-5. As the team heads into its bye week, they’ll look to regroup mentally and physically before facing the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 26.
With growing pressure and fan frustration mounting, the Ravens will need more than a cleared-out locker room to turn their season around.
