Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
We’re looking at ten pending 2024 NFL free agents that the Baltimore Ravens should not re-sign
Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job. Anthony Weaver landed the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, and 26 players, headlined by Patrick Queen, are set to be free agents.
Justin Madubuike landed the franchise tag, leaving Baltimore -$9 million over the salary cap ahead of the early tampering period.
With an urgent offseason underway, we’re looking at ten pending free agents who shouldn’t return.
We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens nine biggest needs for the 2024 NFL offseason
The Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Baltimore is 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $7.3 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.
PFF recently did an early ranking of the top 50 free agents for 2024, and John Harbaugh’s squad had four players make the list.
With the new league set to begin, we’re looking at the Ravens nine biggest needs entering the 2024 NFL offseason.
We’re looking at the six toughest offseason decisions for Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta ahead of the 2024 NFL free agency period
The Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, the Ravens are expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at the six most challenging decisions facing GM Eric DeCosta.
We’re looking at the four ways the Baltimore Ravens can best maximize their cap space during the 2024 NFL offseason
The Baltimore Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, the Ravens are expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at four ways Baltimore can best maximize their space per the Over The Cap transaction table.
We’re looking at seven Baltimore Ravens who could be potential salary cap casualties ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency
The Baltimore Ravens’ has officially concluded with the Chiefs Super Bowl win, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, the Ravens are expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at seven potential pre-free agency casualties per the Over The Cap transaction table.
We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens 15 biggest salary cap hits for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024
The Baltimore Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, Baltimore is expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley or Marlon Humphrey.
Currently, the Ravens have 48 players under contract for the 2024 season.
Here’s a look at the 15 biggest cap hits via Over The Cap.
We’re looking at six moves the Baltimore Ravens can make to create $51 million in salary cap space for 2024
The Baltimore Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, the Ravens are expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, which is the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at six moves that can create $51 million in cap space per the Over The Cap transaction table.
The Baltimore Ravens salary cap has a little dent after signing WR Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal. Here’s where they stand now.
Thanks in part to a reduction in the 2021 NFL salary cap, the Baltimore Ravens have been fairly quiet throughout the first wave of free agency. But after multiple attempts to land a wide receiver, the Ravens finally got their guy, signing Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal.
Watkins’ contract will pay him a fully-guaranteed $5 million with incentives that could push it up to $6 million. While it’s unclear what the incentives are exactly, it’s a pretty affordable contract for a solid veteran addition regardless. Thanks to the rule of 51, Watkins will only cost Baltimore $4.22 million in 2021. According to Over The Cap’s calculator, the Ravens now have an estimated $12.84 million in available salary-cap space.
While it’s easy to think Baltimore is rich considering they have just shy of $13 million, the rest of the offseason should eat into that number quickly. According to OTC, the Ravens’ seven draft picks will cost a combined $7.21 million to sign. Baltimore will also undoubtedly look to add some depth to the roster at a few positions in the second and third waves of free agency, likely coming after the 2021 NFL draft, and further eating into their available cap space.
While there are still a few players the Ravens could look to restructure, they’ll likely want to be pretty frugal the rest of the way unless a player becomes available in free agency or trade that they simply can’t pass up.
[vertical-gallery id=60422]
The Baltimore Ravens renegotiate Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams’ contracts, freeing up $4.5 million in cap space as both take pay cuts
Like nearly every team in the NFL this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens were hit hard by the reduction in salary cap. While the Ravens started far better off than many teams, re-signing several of their own players and adding guard Kevin Zeitler took its toll on their salary cap situation. With the second wave of free agency starting and the 2021 NFL draft just around the corner, Baltimore put in a little contract work to free up some money.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Ravens renegotiated contracts with Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams. However, the better term here is that both players effectively took pay cuts, restructuring their deals but taking less money against the salary cap. As The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec points out, both players could still earn money back through incentives, but it frees up $4.5 million in cap space without signing either to an extension.
According to the NFLPA’s public salary cap report, the Ravens now have $18.6 million available. It is important to note that Baltimore will still need to sign all of their 2021 NFL draft picks and add players to round out the roster, something that will eat up quite a bit of money from that cap total. However, the renegotiated contracts give the Ravens some spending money if they’re interested in signing some more players in free agency.
With Baltimore showing some interest in players like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kenny Golladay, and Sammy Watkins, that additional cap space could allow the Ravens to make a move ahead of the 2021 NFL draft if they wish. But it could also just be a little breathing room, which the team typically likes to have entering the second wave of free agency.
Baltimore could still have some tricks up its sleeve to free up even more cap space if they fall in love with a free agent or can acquire someone via trade. Players like left tackle Ronnie Stanley and cornerback Marlon Humphrey have contracts that are perfect for restructures, which could create roughly $7 million in additional cap space.
[vertical-gallery id=61488]
The Baltimore Ravens got an even better steal of a deal than initially thought, with Kevin Zeitler’s contract costing just $4.05M in 2021
The Baltimore Ravens are inking free-agent guard Kevin Zeitler, agree to terms early Monday morning. While the deal is already getting rave reviews, it looks even better with Zeitler’s contract details spelled out.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Ravens are on the hook for just $4.05 million in 2021.
Considering Zeitler has been consistently good and healthy throughout his career — missing just one game over the last six years — it’s a pretty safe deal for both the team and the player. Zeitler gets fully locked in for two years while Baltimore gets a potential out in that third year. While it’s technically a three-year deal, Baltimore can get out of the final year with $6.5 million in savings if they feel Zeitler’s $9.475 million cap hit is too much.
Here’s how Zeitler’s contract breaks down year-by-year:
| Year | Base salary | Prorated bonus | Cap hit | Savings/cost if cut |
| 2021 | $1.075M *fully guaranteed | $2.975M | $4.05M | -$11.95M |
| 2022 | $6M *fully guaranteed | $2.975M | $8.975M | -$2.975M |
| 2023 | $6.5M | $2.975M | $9.475M | +$6.5M |
According to Over The Cap, that would leave the Ravens with $16.76 million remaining. While Baltimore still needs cap space to sign draft picks, stock the practice squad, and keep a little leftover in case of injuries; they’re still sitting pretty after filling one of their biggest needs. And with potential restructures or cuts that can be made to free up more cap space if needed, the Ravens should still be in the mix throughout free agency.
[listicle id=61039]
