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As Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley enters a critical contract year, he briefly considered not playing this season due to COVID-19.
“It definitely crossed my mind but I’m definitely a person that, I want to play, I want to be around my teammates,” Stanley said to reporters Monday. “I’m just a competitive person and it would take a really high risk to keep me out of the building. At the same time, I think the Ravens are really doing a great job of limiting the chances of contracting the virus.”
The NFL and NFLPA agreed to an opt-out provision for players this offseason in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Players with certain pre-existing medical conditions could opt out with a high-risk designation while others could use a voluntary designation to sit out the 2020 season.
Stanley isn’t the only Baltimore player to consider opting out this season. Calais Campbell, who the Ravens traded for this offseason, said he considered using the league’s opt-out provision due to his asthma and a new baby being in the house. Baltimore did have two players opt out, however. Offensive tackle Andre Smith and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas both used the voluntary opt out this season, joining 64 other players around the league who opted out before the NFL’s deadline.
Stanley put up a historically great 2019 campaign that had him play even better than Baltimore legend Jonathan Ogden. Stanley gave up just six quarterback pressures and no sacks in the regular season, also helping pave the way for the Ravens to break a 41-year old record for the most team rushing yards in a single season.
With the Ravens looked at as serious contenders for Super Bowl LV, Stanley’s absence would have been devastating for their chances. If Stanley had joined Smith in opting out this season, that would have left Baltimore with no starting left tackle and no experienced backup option to lean on. When added to the retirement of right guard Marshal Yanda this offseason, the Ravens’ offensive line would have undergone a dramatic shakeup.
Luckily for the Ravens, Stanley decided to play this season, which could be a lucrative decision for him. Stanley said his agent and Baltimore are still engaged in contract talks, though he noted it isn’t “at the forefront of his mind.” Still, an impressive 2020 could make Stanley the highest-paid offensive tackle in the league, clocking in near what some of the top quarterbacks earn.
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