OLB Matthew Judon

We got a taste of how bad the business side of football can be in the offseason when the Ravens saw C.J. Mosley, Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs all leave in free agency for huge deals. Make no mistake about it, Judon is a player likely entering a very similar situation if they let him become a free agent.

While Baltimore has absolutely no top depth at outside linebacker or even a three-down starter opposite Judon, they simply might not be able to afford him. He’ll likely get contract offers at or better than Smith saw last season ($16.5 million per year average) if he hits the free-agent market while the franchise tag is expected to cost around $16 million, according to OTC.

We’ve seen the Ravens move on from players they’d really love to have because they cost more than Baltimore was comfortable giving up. There’s a real chance the same happens to Judon this offseason.