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Kyle Hamilton, Calais Campbell, Roquan Smith, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson have long been touted as leaders of the Ravens locker room. But now it’ll be recognized every week of the season.

After a team vote conducted Wednesday, the Ravens announced their five season-long captains. Coach Jesse Minter said those five won a “very high percentage of the votes from the whole team.”

Five others were in the “next wave”: tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Zay Flowers, long snapper Nick Moore, left tackle Ronnie Stanley and outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson. They round out the 10-player leadership council.

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“These guys were kind of the next in line from the voting standpoint,” Minter said. “It was a pretty clear indication that these 10 players overall have the respect of their teammates.”

This is a departure from the last 18 years under John Harbaugh, when a different group of three team captains would trot out to midfield and shake hands before the coin toss each week. (Harbaugh did name a leadership council of players.)

Minter said these leaders will help as the Ravens “navigate the season together, make decisions [about] what’s best for the team.”

Over the course of his career Minter has seen different leadership structures work for different teams, but this felt appropriate for this team with the number of veterans and established leaders.

“I want those guys to feel the responsibility of having a seal on their chest and being a team captain,” he said.

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Hamilton is the youngest of the group, but he’s a highly decorated player as a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro safety who was awarded a historic contract by the Ravens. He was one of the voices for the defense through the turbulence of last season.

Campbell is a free-agent addition, but he spent three years here from 2020-22 and overlapped with a number of current players. The defensive lineman is the oldest player in the group, having celebrated his 40th birthday Tuesday. General manager Eric DeCosta said he tried to trade for Campbell multiple times in the last few years. Although Campbell is still a good player, his leadership is one of the first things coaches and teammates mention about him.

Smith can usually be seen on the big screen before every game, firing up the team with a pregame speech. As the middle linebacker, he wears the green dot and helps get the defense aligned before the snap. He also reaches out to the younger players and takes them out to eat.

Henry has spent the last two seasons running through records on his way to the Hall of Fame. The running back is notorious for his work ethic and the way he takes care of his body.

And, finally, Jackson is a two-time MVP. This team rises and falls with its quarterback. His position forces him into a leadership role. But he’s also been known to welcome new players, shocking rookies with how down-to-earth he is. Heading into Year 9, Jackson has impressed a new coaching staff with how receptive he is to guidance, even with all his accolades and experience.

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