Ravens Left Tackle’s Future in Doubt as Team Faces Critical Offseason
The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for a crucial offseason following their 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. With limited cap space, the team must find a way to improve while dealing with financial constraints.
According to Glenn Erby of USA Today’s Ravens Wire, one potential cost-saving move for the Ravens is to cut Ronnie Stanley after June 1. This move could save the team a significant $15 million, although there would still be an $11 million dead cap hit. Despite the financial implications, it may be time for the Ravens to part ways with the starting left tackle.
Currently, the Ravens have only $7.3 million in cap space, leaving little room to address their needs in the upcoming offseason. Stanley’s injury history is a cause for concern, as he has missed a significant number of games over the past five years. In the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined, he played only seven games and missed five. In 2022, he missed four games and dealt with injuries throughout the season. This year, Stanley missed four more games and was on a pitch count towards the end of the season to manage his health.
Selected as the 6th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Stanley was expected to solidify the Ravens’ offensive line and protect the blindside of quarterback Lamar Jackson. In his first four seasons, he missed a maximum of four games in a season. His standout year came in 2019 when he earned Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.
However, since then, Stanley has struggled to replicate his previous success. Despite signing a lucrative five-year, $98.75 million contract extension in October 2020, injuries have plagued him ever since. His troubles began with a severe ankle injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As the Ravens weigh their options for the offseason, the future of Ronnie Stanley remains uncertain. Cutting him after June 1 could provide much-needed cap space for the team, but it would come with a significant financial hit. Ultimately, the Ravens must carefully consider their next move to improve the team while managing their limited resources.
STANLEY’S SEASON OF STRUGGLES AND INJURIES
It’s been a rollercoaster season for Baltimore Ravens’ starting tackle, Ronnie Stanley. Not only has he battled with inconsistent play, but injuries have also plagued his performance. In fact, Stanley was unable to play for the rest of the season and only managed to participate in one game in 2021 due to yet another ankle injury.
According to Erby, Stanley’s performance in 2023 left much to be desired. He ranked 37th in PFF’s overall grades, 22nd in pass blocking, and a disappointing 41st in run blocking. Surprisingly, backup Patrick Mekari outperformed Stanley in both pass and run blocking, taking the 22nd and 41st spots respectively.
With such lackluster rankings, Stanley finds himself at the bottom of the offensive tackles list for the Ravens, trailing behind both Mekari and Moses. This raises the question of whether the Ravens should consider replacing Stanley or give Mekari a chance to prove himself as the starting tackle. Mekari, who ranked 31st in his limited role, could be a viable option for the team.
While Moses still has one more year left on his contract and performed well with a grade of 10 out of 81 tackles, the Ravens could explore the possibility of a Moses/Mekari combination. Additionally, they may also consider signing free agents or drafting prospects to address the tackle position.
A CHALLENGING OFFSEASON LOOMS
The Ravens are heading into an offseason filled with uncertainty, as they face the possibility of losing key players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Breakout stars such as defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebacker Patrick Queen, and safety Geno Stone will all be seeking substantial paydays. Moreover, veteran contributors like outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Ronald Darby are also looking to secure contracts after impressive performances.
Madubuike and Queen’s potential lucrative contracts may force general manager Eric DeCosta to make difficult decisions. On the offensive front, the Ravens risk losing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, all of whom will become free agents. Zeitler, in particular, had a standout year as a guard and could attract interest from multiple teams.
If the Ravens lose Zeitler, it could significantly impact their ability to make changes to the offensive line. Too much turnover might hinder the team’s flexibility, making it difficult to consider parting ways with Stanley.
With the Ravens’ current salary cap situation, the team is at risk of losing a majority of these talented players. DeCosta will need to work his magic under the cap to retain the core of this championship team while also addressing any gaps that may arise.
Tony Vozza, a dedicated sports reporter, covers all things Baltimore Ravens for the passionate fans. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s offseason plans and roster changes.
