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No Deal Imminent Between Ravens, Ronnie Stanley; Latest On LT’s Market

March 3rd, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Adam La Rose

The pending free agent class amongst offensive linemen has been thinned in recent days. The Chiefs have used the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith, while the Rams prevented left tackle Alaric Jackson from hitting the market by agreeing to a lucrative new pact.

With the latter no longer available, the remaining blindside blockers will increasingly become the center of attention in the coming days. That group includes Ronnie Stanley, who has been known to be a priority for the Ravens in the lead-in to free agency. Stanley has spent his entire nine-year career in Baltimore, and in 2024 he played a full campaign and earned his second Pro Bowl nod.

Uncertainty loomed over the former No. 6 pick’s future entering last season based on his previous missed time due to injuries. Stanley was limited to only seven contests between 2020 and ’21, and he was absent for a combined 10 games across the following two years. After agreeing to a pay cut last offseason, though, he delivered a strong performance for the AFC North winners. A notable market could therefore await Stanley in the event he reached free agency.

When speaking at the Combine last week, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh both expressed confidence that a new deal will be worked out on the Stanley front. In spite of that optimism, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes nothing is imminent at this time (subscription required). The franchise tag would allow the Ravens to prevent Stanley from hitting the market – where teams like the Patriots would be interested – but a decision on that front will need to be made by tomorrow afternoon.

While team and player look to find traction, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes there is a sense around the league an agreement can be reached in the near future. He notes an annual average value between $21MM-$23MM has been mentioned; Stanley’s 2020 extension carried an AAV of $19.5MM. The salary cap has over course surged since that deal was signed, and nine left tackles are averaging at least $20MM per season on their current contracts.

Stanley is nearing his 31st birthday, so age and his injury history will be factors which could hinder his earning power. Still, a dearth of high-profile alternatives in the 2025 free agent class – not to mention a comparative lack of surefire prospects in this year’s draft – should help the former first-team All-Pro secure a payday soon. Much of the Ravens’ other offseason moves will hinge on their ability to keep Stanley in place, so a resolution in the near future would be key for the team.

Ravens K Justin Tucker Addresses Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations

February 27th, 2025 at 9:15am CST by Adam La Rose

A second wave of accusations against Justin Tucker has brought the total number of women alleging sexual misconduct at massage therapy sessions to 16. The Ravens’ kicker has denied any wrongdoing already, and his second set of public remarks on the matter repeat that stance.

“I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” Tucker’s most recent statement reads in part (via Outkick.com). “Throughout the last four weeks, I have spent countless hours replaying every interaction I have had with bodywork professionals over the last thirteen years. I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.”

Earlier this month, a report from the Baltimore Banner publicized allegations of inappropriate conduct on Tucker’s part during message sessions from 2012-16. Tucker unequivocally denied the claims, doing so again when another three therapists made similar accusations. No criminal investigation has been opened, and no civil claims have been filed.

Tucker’s attorneys have pushed back against the claims he was banned from a number of Baltimore-are spas in response to the alleged misconduct. A reply from the law firm representing many of the accusers says: “We do not represent the spa owners, only the affected therapists. Whether the owners acted appropriately and in protection of their respective employees when faced with complaints is a question better directed to the them”

In recent days, the NFL opened its own probe to investigate a potential personal conduct policy violation; interviews with the accusers have begun and will continue in the near future. When addressing the subject at the Combine earlier this week, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait for that process to unfold before making a decision on Tucker’s future with the team. The five-time All-Pro has spent his entire 13-year career in Baltimore.

Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Combine (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) the Ravens are evaluating kicker prospects, noting the team intended to do so before the Tucker allegations went public. Given the 2010s All-Decade Team member’s age (35) and struggles early in the campaign (resulting in a field goal accuracy rate of 73.3%, by far the lowest of his career) it would not come as a shock if the Ravens elected to move on this offseason. Three years remain on Tucker’s contract; releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would yield $4.2MM in cap savings while generating $2.87MM in dead money.

NFL Begins Justin Tucker Investigation

February 25th, 2025 at 10:34am CST by Sam Robinson

FEBRUARY 25: When speaking about Tucker’s situation at the Combine, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait until the league’s investigation has concluded before making a decision (h/t Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). DeCosta has spoken with Tucker as well as with the NFL (as noted by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec). Until a final report from the league’s investigators is produced, Tucker will thus remain in the organization.

FEBRUARY 21: NFL investigators have begun interviewing women who have accused Justin Tucker of inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions, the Baltimore Banner’s Brenna Smith, Julie Scharper, Jonas Shaffer and Giana Han report.

A league investigation became known when the first report of alleged sexual misconduct against the Ravens kicker surfaced. After the latest round of accusers surfaced, it became a given the accomplished special-teamer would be under an NFL probe soon. It is not known how many accusers have met with the league thus far, but the Banner reports the investigation began this week and will continue with at least two more accuser meetings on tap in the next few weeks.

Sixteen women at eight spas and wellness centers have accused Tucker of sexual misconduct during sessions, with reports of the accusations coming out shortly after the Ravens’ season ended last month. Tucker has denied any wrongdoing. The women who have spoken with NFL investigators have done so after being made available by their lawyers, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.

The initial report in January, also from the Banner, alleged that inappropriate conduct took place at four high-end Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Tucker was accused of “exposing his genitals,” touching two of the therapists with his erect penis, and leaving “what they believed to be ejaculate” on massages tables after three of the sessions. Two spas reportedly banned the seven-time Pro Bowler, while several of the therapists either ended sessions early or refused to work with him again.

A woman who is part of the second round of known Tucker accusers produced an internal report about her interaction with the kicker. The claims the massage therapists have lodged range from encounters beginning in 2012 up until 2016. While the lack of any criminal or civil lawsuits separate this Tucker matter from the Deshaun Watson situation earlier this decade, the increasing volume of accusers reminds of what became a career-defining issue for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

Whereas Watson’s talent and positional value landed him another chance — via a historic trade with the Browns — Tucker is now 35 playing a position much lower on the NFL totem pole. He also struggled to match his All-Pro-level form in 2024. The news of alleged inappropriate behavior threatens the All-Decade kicker’s status with the Ravens and in the NFL, at this point.

Ravens Finalize 2025 Coaching Staff

February 22nd, 2025 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens are one of the latest teams to formally finalize their 2025 coaching staff, announcing their additions and updates yesterday, per team editorial director Ryan Mink. Head coach John Harbaugh has held one of the most consistent positions in the NFL, and his staff will reflect that in 2025.

After fielding the NFL’s No. 3 scoring offense, No. 1 total offense, No. 7 passing offense, and No. 1 rushing offense in 2024, Baltimore didn’t see the need to make any changes on offense. Though offensive coordinator Todd Monken got some head coaching interest this cycle, he remained in Baltimore with an extension. The only update on that side of the ball comes from running backs coach Willie Taggart, who has earned the assistant head coach title left vacant with the departure of last year’s assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt. There was also a minor update on the offense, where offensive football analyst Prentice Gill was named as a coaching fellow. Joining Gill as coaching fellows are DP Eyman and Ian Kolste.

The defensive side of the ball is where we saw the most change in the coaching staff. We’ve already reported on most of the changes to defensive coordinator Zach Orr‘s staff, which included the hirings of Tyler Santucci as inside linebackers coach, Matt Pees as assistant linebackers coach, Donald D’Alesio as defensive backs coach, and Chuck Pagano as senior defensive assistant/secondary coach. The only other update on the defensive coaching staff saw former assistant defensive line/outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson promoted to outside linebackers coach.

On special teams, we see don’t see any changes up top, but the team has added former safety Anthony Levine as assistant special teams coach following his dismissal from the Titans’ staff. Levine played 10 seasons in Baltimore mainly as a mainstay on special teams. He becomes the second former special teamer to return to the staff after former punter Sam Koch served as a special teams consultant last year. Depending on what happens with the investigation into allegations against kicker Justin Tucker, they may have their work cut out for them.

That does it for the changes to the Ravens’ 2025 coaching staff. Not much change seems to have been needed for the team who won back-to-back AFC North titles. Harbaugh and company will run it back in hopes of improving their postseason outcomes from the past two seasons.

Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy Plans To Play In 2025

February 21st, 2025 at 11:11am CST by Adam La Rose

After playing on four teams across his first nine years in the NFL, Kyle Van Noy has found himself in a productive environment with the Ravens. The veteran pass rusher faces questions about his long-term future given his age, but he intends to keep playing for at least one more year.

“My want to is still there, that’s for sure,” the 33-year-old said (via Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun). “I can still play at a high level. But it’s something where they have to make a decision, too.”

Van Noy is under contract for 2025, but his remarks suggest he could look to secure an extension this offseason. The two-time Super Bowl winner noted he and general manager Eric DeCosta will speak “at some point” to discuss the future. It would come as no surprise if a new deal were to be worked out given how effective Van Noy has been across his two Baltimore campaigns. After setting a new career high in sacks with nine in 2023, the former hybrid linebacker increased his output once again this past season with 12.5.

That 2024 figure led the team and resulted in the first Pro Bowl nod of Van Noy’s career. He is currently on track to receive $3.75MM next season with a cap hit of $6.13MM. Both of those numbers constitute a bargain from the Ravens’ perspective, and committing to a raise (while challenging given the team’s limited cap space) would be a sensible move.

Baltimore has Odafe Oweh set to play on his fifth-year option in 2025, and he is due $13.25MM as a result. The Penn State product reached double-digit sacks for the first time in his career this past season, and at the age of 26 a multi-year commitment from the Ravens would come as no surprise. The team’s depth (recent draftees David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson and Adisa Isaac) could stand to see at least one addition through free agency or the draft this offseason, but Oweh and Van Noy will be counted on to remain starters moving forward.

The latter landed a $51MM Dolphins deal in 2020, but after only season in Miami he has been unable to secure a contract of similar value. At this stage of his career, Van Noy should not be expected to command a lucrative pact but it will be interesting to see if he and the Ravens work out an extension this offseason.

2025 NFL Franchise Tag Candidates

February 20th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last year’s salary cap spike created another opportunity for teams to retain talent, and once the upcoming cap surge (roughly $25MM) produces a number, the 2020 CBA will have produced four straight single-year jumps by at least $16MM. These climbs, which dwarf the per-year jumps the 2011 CBA brought, have both helped teams retain talent and pay for free agents while also ballooning the costs of franchise tags.

That said, last year featured eight players given the franchise tag and one (Kyle Dugger) receiving the transition tender. Illustrating the cap climb’s impact, eight of those nine players landed extensions. None of them occurred near the July 15 extension deadline for tagged players, leaving only the Bengals and Tee Higgins‘ non-negotiations still outstanding by the time the usually action-packed stretch arrived. Higgins is back among this year’s lot of potential tag recipients, but not as many players join him.

We are now in Year 33 of the franchise tag, a retention tool that came about during the same offseason in which full-fledged free agency spawned. With clubs having until 3pm CT on March 4 to apply tags, here is who may be cuffed:

Likely tag recipients

Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals)
Tag cost: $26.18MM

It never made too much sense for the Bengals to pass on tagging Higgins, who would at least — in the event the team would squash Joe Burrow‘s crusade to retain the veteran Ja’Marr Chase sidekick — fetch draft capital in a trade. A second Higgins tag comes in at 120% of his 2024 tag price ($21.82MM). It would be interesting if the Bengals went from not negotiating with Higgins during his four months on the tag last year — and generally being prepared to move on in 2025 — to circling back and paying him a market-value deal, but that does seem to be in play.

Burrow’s push would see the team having roughly $70MM per year allocated to the receiver position; that would squash where even the Eagles and Dolphins have gone for their high-end wideout duos. Higgins, 26, was unable to market his age-25 season thanks to the tag. If the latest rumors surrounding the former second-round pick are accurate, he would be kept off the open market once again. That is a fairly significant window to miss; then again, he would have banked $48MM during that period.

The Bengals are projected to carry more than $53MM in cap space, making this a solution they can afford. But after extensive negotiations with Chase last year and Burrow stumping for Higgins, the team has an important decision to make soon.

Cincinnati has less than two weeks to give Higgins a long-term deal. It would mark quite the about-face to do so. The organization has not seriously negotiated with the WR since the first half of 2023, and even when talks did commence, no proposal came too close to $20MM per year. Those talks predictably broke down, and Higgins’ new price is believed to be around $30MM. With plenty of suitors awaiting — the cap-rich Patriots among them — that would be doable for the 6-foot-4 target, who is coming off a better season compared to his 2023 showing.

Higgins zoomed back to his usual form by hauling in 73 passes for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns; his 75.9 yards per game trailed only his 2021 number (77.9). Higgins, however, missed five games for a second straight season. Hamstring and quad injuries kept Higgins off the field last year, but his market does not appear to have cooled as a result. At worst, the Bengals could fetch Day 2 draft capital in a trade. A first-round pick may be tougher here due to an acquiring team needing to authorize a pricey extension, but teams have been calling ahead of the past two deadlines. Cincinnati still has options, but its Higgins plans will certainly need to be run by Burrow given how much he has stumped for the team to retain the five-year vet.

On tag radar

Sam Darnold, QB (Vikings)
Projected tag cost: $42.39MM

Rumors have not pointed to a clear-cut plan here. At least, the Vikings’ vision for their would-be bridge QB has not become public. But the sides are still talking. Minnesota saw the formerly underwhelming starter break through at 27, taking advantage of the Vikings’ weaponry and Kevin O’Connell‘s ability to coach up quarterbacks. Darnold earned original-ballot Pro Bowl acclaim, throwing 35 touchdown passes (to 12 INTs) and smashing more career-high marks in yardage (4,319) and completion percentage (66.2). Previously in place to hold down the fort while J.J. McCarthy developed, Darnold saw the rookie’s meniscus tear change his Twin Cities outlook.

McCarthy has undergone two surgeries and may have a long way to go in his rehab. As McCarthy went down before playing a regular-season snap, it would make sense for the Vikings to give strong consideration to cuffing Darnold as a pricey insurance measure. On the other hand, the Vikings have a few key performers set to hit the market soon. Byron Murphy, Camryn Bynum and Aaron Jones are moving toward the market. A Darnold cap hold of more than $40MM would clog Minnesota’s payroll ahead of free agency, though the team is projected to carry $63.3MM in space.

Darnold’s late-season letdown undoubtedly factors into the Vikes’ equation, as $42.39MM can be viewed as a bit steep for a player who did not consistently impress in New York or Carolina. But Darnold has proven he can excel in O’Connell’s system. As we detailed on a recent Trade Rumors Front Office post, a multiyear deal for Darnold would not make as much sense; the team still has high hopes for McCarthy. Unless the Vikings plan to entertain the expected trade calls for last year’s No. 10 overall pick, the only way Darnold would stay would be via the tag.

A tag would not be in Darnold’s best interests, as the soon-to-be 28-year-old passer has rare momentum ahead of an offseason featuring several teams with QB needs. A much-criticized draft class at the position would also benefit Darnold, who has been linked to potentially scoring a Baker Mayfield-like deal (three years, $100MM). With the cap now climbing to around $280MM, the seven-year vet could conceivably aim higher. The Vikings hold the cards here in the meantime, as this represents one of the more interesting tag decisions in several years.

Big markets await otherwise

Jevon Holland, S (Dolphins)
Projected tag cost: $20.13MM

Already cutting Raheem Mostert, Kendall Fuller and Durham Smythe to save space, the Dolphins are not expected to roll out a tag for Holland. This would mark a second straight year the Dolphins will send one of the top free agency-eligible players to the market. Miami let Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt walk in 2024; each lineman signed a top-market deal. Holland would be expected to follow suit, as the former second-round pick has started 57 games and is going into his age-25 season. The Dolphins are projected to hold barely $1MM in cap space, mandating more moves ahead of the 2025 league year.

The British Columbia, Canada, native has five career sacks, five picks and five forced fumbles. This comes along with 25 pass breakups. The past two free agencies have seen one safety check in much higher than his peers contractually, with Jessie Bates (four years, $64MM) and Xavier McKinney (4/67) scoring top-five contracts. The latest cap spike will help Holland, who can aim for the $16MM-AAV Bates tier as a floor.

Although PFF viewed Holland as better under Vic Fangio (third overall) than Anthony Weaver (56th), the months-long Miami extension candidate will still do very well if he hits the market. Extension talks with the Oregon alum did not pick up before last season, and the Dolphins appear close to losing another quality starter early in free agency.

Trey Smith, G (Chiefs)
Projected tag cost: $25.8MM

Over the past 15 years, only two guards have been tagged: Brandon Scherff and Joe Thuney. Washington cuffed Scherff twice, letting him walk in 2022. New England kept Thuney as a placeholder during a busy 2020 on the tag front. Both players scored then-guard-record deals on the open market. Smith is expected to follow suit, as the Chiefs are viewed as unlikely to apply this pricey placeholder on their four-year right guard starter. Despite having attempted to extend Smith for a bit last summer, the former sixth-round find remains unsigned.

Kansas City looks likely to go left tackle shopping, as Thuney proved overmatched in his final fill-in assignment there, and its four-year LG starter is under contract for one more season. The Chiefs’ four-year, $80MM Jawaan Taylor misstep carries an already-guaranteed 2025 base salary ($19.5MM), thanks to the ex-Jaguar RT being on the Chiefs’ roster last March, and the team handed All-Pro Creed Humphrey a deal that easily made him the NFL’s highest-paid center. Losing Smith may be the cost of doing business, unless the three-time defending AFC champions can craft an 11th-hour solution to keep the 25-year-old Pro Bowler via the tag.

Ronnie Stanley, T (Ravens)
Projected tag cost: $25.8MM

It is highly unlikely the Ravens use the tag here, as they already gave Stanley a pay cut in 2024. That said, Baltimore wants to work something out with its longtime left tackle. Stanley’s injury history also would make a $25.8MM guarantee lofty, but this also could be a placeholder to ensure he does not leave in free agency. The Ravens lost three O-line starters in 2024, and this is the costliest position up front.

Then again, the Ravens faced a similar situation in 2019, and they let C.J. Mosley walk rather than overpay on the tag. The Ravens have used the tag in each of the past two offseasons, but it was to retain younger players (Lamar Jackson, Nnamdi Madubuike). They currently are projected to carry barely $12MM in cap space. As PFF notes, only six players 28 and older have been tagged over the past five years. No player over 30 has been tagged since the Bengals retained A.J. Green in 2020. Green was 32 that season; Stanley will turn 31 in March.

The Garett Bolles–Dion Dawkins–Taylor Decker tier, as our Nikhil Mehta pointed out, may be the place to watch for Stanley, who reestablished momentum last season after playing 17 games for the first time in his career and making the Pro Bowl. He is in position to command a nice third contract. Will it come from the Ravens? After the tag window closes, Baltimore has until March 10 to negotiate exclusively with the nine-year blocker.

NFL Minor Transactions: 2/19/25

February 19th, 2025 at 7:57pm CST by Ben Levine

One minor move to pass along:

Baltimore Ravens

Keith Kirkwood spent the entire 2024 campaign on Baltimore’s practice squad, but the WR still brings plenty of experience to the roster. The former UDFA has appeared in 31 games in stints with the Saints and Panthers, hauling in 24 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

Ravens Re-Signing Stanley Will Be ‘Priority’

February 19th, 2025 at 11:55am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Ronnie Stanley put together the healthiest season of his career in 2024, rebuilding his value after length absences over the previous four seasons just in time to hit free agency.

The Ravens, however, may not let him reach the open market. Re-signing the veteran left tackle will be a “priority” for Baltimore, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Tagging Stanley is theoretically an option, but such a route would present multiple obstacles for the Ravens.

To start, the team is currently projected to have just under $6MM in 2025 cap space, per OverTheCap. For offensive linemen, the franchise tag is projected to be $25.2MM with a transition tag of $22.7MM. The Ravens can free up the space to absorb a tag, but that would still force them to cut other players and/or push more money into the future.

The Ravens may want to tag Stanley to give themselves more time to reach an agreement on a multi-year contract like they did with Lamar Jackson and Nnamdi Madubuike. However, negotiating with Stanley on the tag would likely set his asking price above what the team is willing to pay. Even with the lower transition tag, Stanley would be set for $22.7MM in fully-guaranteed money in 2025, after which he could hit free agency or be tagged again. A second tag would cost the Ravens $27.4MM in 2026, which could make Stanley’s extension demands reach $50MM over two years, far above his expected value on the open market.

Ultimately, a contract similar to the ones signed by Garett Bolles, Dion Dawkins, and Taylor Decker in 2024 would represent a solid deal for Stanley after he took a pay cut last year. The Ravens could continue their use of void years to prorate money into the future and minimize Stanley’s cap burden in 2025. That would allow them to pursue additional free agents to shore up their secondary with Brandon Stephens expected to hit the open market in March.

Ravens OL Ben Cleveland Arrested For DUI

February 17th, 2025 at 11:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Ben Cleveland was arrested as a result of a DUI incident on February 12, as detailed by TMZ. Documents from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia indicate the Ravens offensive lineman is facing a pair of citations.

Cleveland was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol as well as failing to maintain lane. The 26-year-old was pulled over at roughly 10:25pm on the night in question, with the police report noting that he nearly swerved his truck into a ditch. Cleveland admitted upon being stopped to drinking “approximately 3-4 beers” at a country club before driving.

The former third-rounder was taken to a nearby jail after failing a field sobriety test. A Breathalyzer test was later administered, and Cleveland returned a BAC of .178, more than double the legal limit. The incident has produced a legal situation which will no doubt hinder the Georgia product’s free agent market to an extent.

Cleveland has spent his first four years with the Ravens, playing a combined total of 59 regular and postseason games. Only seven of those have been starts, though, as he has been unable to earn a first-team gig at either guard spot. A fresh start would have come as no surprise this spring, although this news could limit the number of suitors for his services.

Patrick Mekari logged left guard duties for much of the 2024 season, and he too is a pending free agent. He could cash in on the open market based on his 53 starts and positional versatility, but even in that case Cleveland did not appear to be a candidate for a second Ravens contract (or at least one offering a clear path to a first-team gig). If anything, this development will increase Baltimore’s chances of moving on during the offseason.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Ronnie Stanley

February 16th, 2025 at 9:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After taking a $7.5MM pay cut ahead of the 2024 season, left tackle Ronnie Stanley started every game for the first time in his career and earned Pro Bowl honors as a crucial piece of the Ravens’ league-leading offense.

Now, he is set to enter free agency following his best and healthiest season since his devastating ankle injury in October 2020. Stanley tried to come back to start the 2021 season but played just one game before undergoing surgery for a second time. He took a more gradual approach to his return in 2022, waiting until Week 4 to start and even rotating snaps with Patrick Mekari. He missed a few weeks with another injury, but returned as the Ravens’ full-time left tackle for the rest of the year. The injury concerns continued when Stanley missed Weeks 2 to 4 in 2023 and ended the season once again rotating with Mekari.

Stanley bounced back in 2024, starting all 17 games with a career-high 1,089 snaps. The 2016 first-round pick is still not the dominant pass protector that earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2019, but he is clearly one of the more capable left tackles in the NFL. Given the league’s scarcity at the position, Stanley will likely draw a strong market in free agency.

The Ravens may not let him get that far. Baltimore used the sixth overall pick – the franchise’s highest selection since 2000 – on Stanley in 2016 and signed him to a five-year, $98.75MM extension just three days before his 2020 injury. He has been the team’s preferred left tackle for his entire career when healthy, including the duration of the Lamar Jackson era.

With Mekari also hitting free agency, the Ravens have an uncertain future at the position. They could flip second-year tackle Roger Rosengarten to the blindside, but they would then have to replace him on the right side and deal with the bumps of two new starters on the offensive line. Re-signing Stanley would allow them to bring some continuity into 2025 and keep Rosengarten in the spot where he showed tremendous growth as a rookie. Stanley is an also an excellent fit in Todd Monken‘s offense and a respected leader in the Ravens’ locker room.

Stanley proved his value after accepting a pay cut, so he will be looking to re-establish himself as one of the league’s highest-paid left tackles. He has expressed a desire to stay in Baltimore for the rest of his career, but that doesn’t mean he will give the Ravens a hometown discount. Stanley will likely be seeking upwards of $20MM per year after Garett Bolles signed a $20.5MM APY extension with the Broncos in December. Given his injury history and struggles against elite competition like Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson in 2024, Stanley will likely find it difficult to break into the top tier of left tackle contracts at $22MM APY and above.

Stanley is the most proven pending free agent as his position, though a number of potential starters will be available in March. Cam Robinson and Alaric Jackson started for most of last season, while Tyron Smith, Joseph Noteboom, and Jedrick Wills all missed significant time due to injury. None played as well as Stanley in 2024, though he did benefit from Lamar Jackson‘s elite ability to evade pressure and avoid sacks.

Unlike last year’s tackle-rich draft class, the 2025 draft has just two surefire first-round tackles: Will Campbell out of LSU and Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas. Neither is expected to fall to the Ravens at the 27th overall pick, and general manager Eric DeCosta is extremely unlikely to trade up. Re-signing Stanley has long seemed like Baltimore’s best and most likely option, though the team was willing to gamble with their offensive line last year.

In addition to the Ravens, Stanley could receive interest from teams like the Patriots and the Jaguars. Both teams have ample cap space this offseason and need new left tackles to protect their franchise quarterbacks. After their stunning Super Bowl defeat due to a leaky offensive line, the Chiefs could also be a dark-horse contender for Stanley’s services. However, he will be 31 by the time the 2025 regular season rolls around. The longtime Raven may very well conclude that his best fit and chance to win a championship will be in Baltimore where he has spent his entire career.

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