After the Mayflower vans packed up and moved the Colts to Indianapolis, the city of Baltimore began efforts of landing an NFL team. Even when the Orioles moved to Camden Yards the city maintained historic Memorial Stadium so that it could be used as a temporary home when they landed a new team.

In 1993 the NFL began to select teams for an expansion that was to follow two years later. Going into the process Baltimore was considered a heavy favorite to land a team as even a nickname (Bombers) and logo was developed.

However, owners decided to award Charlotte and Jacksonville with teams leaving Baltimore in the cold again.