SEALED: Baltimore Ravens have recently closed a huge, massive deal.
After the Baltimore Ravens‘ 2023 season comes to an end, general manager Eric DeCosta’s offseason is expected to drastically change the franchise.
As of right now, OverTheCap projects the Ravens’ cap space to be approximately $7,328,828—the 20th highest in the NFL.
If the team decides to part ways with some high-profile contracts (like those of Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Stanley), that figure may increase.
Based on the Over The Cap transaction table, we’re looking at six moves that could free up $51 million in cap space for the Ravens, who currently have 48 players under contract for the 2024 season.
After June 1st, 2018—Ronnie Stanley
Hit with dead money: $11,168,250
Since his rookie year in 2016, the gifted offensive tackle has started every game. However, since 2019, he has struggled with injuries. Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he participated in seven games, missing five in 2022.
Stanley struggled with injuries all season long in 2023, missing four games, and using a pitch count in the last few games.
Stanley is a good player when healthy, but he hasn’t been an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player since 2019.
2023 saw Stanley place 37th overall in PFF’s ratings, 22nd in pass blocking, and 41st in run blocking, all behind backup quarterback Patrick Mekari (who substituted for both tackles when necessary).
Put Marlon Humphrey back together
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, during the second quarter of an NFL football regular season game, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) catches a pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44). The Jacksonville Jaguars were defeated 23–7 by the Baltimore Ravens. [The Florida Times-Union/Corey Perrine]
Savings in cap: $7,905,000
Humphrey, who is still only 27 years old, inked a five-year contract extension with the Ravens in 2020, which included $97.5 million in new money and full guarantees of $40.3 million at the time of signing. The contract also includes $30 million in vesting and roster bonus guarantees for Humphrey, for a total guarantee of $70.3 million.
In 2023, the Ravens turned over $9.42 million in salary as a bonus, freeing up $7.536 million in cap space. Humphrey’s cap number increased by $1.884 million per year between 2024 and 2026. 2027 will now have a further blank year.
Three-time Pro Bowler Humphrey missed a career-high eight games this season due to hamstring, calf, and foot ailments. He recorded 26 tackles, five passes defensed, and one interception in ten games.
Without him, Baltimore’s pass defense ranked sixth in the NFL, and going into its AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs, it had not given up a 300-yard passer.
Reorganize QB Jackson Lamar
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lamar Jackson (#8) reacts during the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 28, 2024. (Image via Getty Images / Patrick Smith))
Savings on caps: $11,100,000.
In May of last year, Jackson agreed to a $260 million, five-year contract with the Ravens. $135 million of the $185 million that is guaranteed was fully guaranteed at the time of signing.
Jackson will receive a $72.5 million signing bonus in addition to his 2023 and 2024 salary being fully guaranteed, according to Over The Cap. There is a $17.5 million guaranteed option in 2024 and a $22.5 million due option in 2025. Jackson will get his $20.25 million base salary for 2025 and will be guaranteed a $750,000 roster bonus if he is still on the team on the fifth day of the 2024 league year.
Reorganize Marcus Williams
Jan. 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA: In the first quarter of an AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium in 2024, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) runs the ball against safety Geno Stone (26) of the Baltimore Ravens, safety Marcus Williams (32) and safety Kyle Hamilton (14). Mandatory Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Mitch Stringer
Savings on caps: $7,193,333
Williams agreed to a $70 million, five-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams signed for a guaranteed $17.080 million, plus a $14.965 million signing bonus. At signing, $5 million of his 2024 salary is guaranteed against injury; on the fifth day of the 2023 league season, this guarantee becomes fully vested.
With a restructure, Williams, the 18th-highest-graded safety in the NFL the previous season, would have brought in nearly $8 million for Baltimore.
Reorganize Andrews Mark
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: On January 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Image via Getty Images / Patrick Smith))
Savings on caps: $4,937,500
On September 6, 2021, Andrews agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the Ravens. Thirty million of the $37.58 million in guarantees Andrews received were guaranteed at the time of signing.
Due to injury, Andrews had a poor season, but in 2024 he should be back to normal.
After the 1st of June, Trade: Tyus Bowser
Tyus Bowser (54), an outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, poses during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Baltimore, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Nick Wass/AP)
$5,500,000 in cap savings
$2,000,000 is the dead cap hit.
Since the Ravens selected Bowser in the second round of the 2017 draft, his career has seen ups and downs.
In his four season debut, he did not start more than two games. Afterwards, he started all 17 games in 2021 and recorded career highs in QB hits (15), solo tackles (33), and sacks (7). Bowser signed a $22 million, four-year extension and has since played nine games.
Bowser missed all of the games this past season due to a torn Achilles in 2022 and knee surgery that was done in the offseason after 2022.
Bowser’s contract extension has just one year remaining, and his cap hit is team-friendly.
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