Report: Ravens not picking up CB Brandon Carr’s 2020 option, making him a free agent

The Baltimore Ravens needed the cap space after making a ton of moves. Not picking up CB Brandon Carr’s 2020 option frees up $6 million.

The Baltimore Ravens are not picking up cornerback Brandon Carr’s option for 2020, according to Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson. The decision will make Carr a free agent.

Baltimore has been busy before free agency officially even begins. During the legal tampering period, the Ravens have agreed to terms on two different trades, on a deal with defensive tackle Michael Brockers and have re-signed some of their own players. With all the moves, Baltimore is likely hurting for some cap space right now.

By not picking up Carr’s option, it frees up $6 million on the Ravens’ 2020 salary cap, according to Over The Cap. That would get Baltimore back into the positive on the salary cap and leave them with just $3.58 million, according to OTC’s records. However, the Ravens are set to rework Calais Campbell’s deal and could still re-sign outside linebacker Matthew Judon to free up some additional space on their salary cap for this season.

Carr played three seasons for Baltimore, starting all 48 games and notching six interceptions, 29 passes defensed and two sacks. Carr played both inside and outside at cornerback and even got some playing time at safety this season with the Ravens stacking their cornerback depth chart thanks to the trade for Marcus Peters.

Though Carr is effectively being cut, Baltimore could still be in the mix to re-sign him at a lower contract if they wanted. But the Ravens have also shown interest in re-signing cornerback Jimmy Smith as well.

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