The Baltimore Ravens were the best team in the NFL for the majority of the 2023 season. They finished with the best record in the league, earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home field throughout the postseason.
Alas, it wasn’t enough for them to get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl. They were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first AFC Championship Game where they played at home.
Heading into the offseason, there were some major changes. The biggest ones came on the coaching staff, as several defensive coaches departed for different jobs. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and Anthony Weaver left to become defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins.
NFL News & Rumors: Ronnie Stanley & Baltimore Ravens Updates
Player personnel-wise, there have been some changes as well. Running back Gus Edwards and linebacker Patrick Queen both departed in free agency, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Queen will likely be replaced by 2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson, the Ravens dipped into free agency to replace Edwards. They came away with former Tennessee Titans star, Derrick Henry, to bolster their backfield.
To make salary cap space, the Ravens had some cap casualties this offseason. One player who was on the chopping block was offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. However, to avoid being cut, he agreed to take a pay cut.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Stanley agreed to lower his base salary for the 2024 season from $11 million. Originally, he was set to count more than $26 million against the salary cap, but that will be reduced as well.
NFL News & Rumors: Ronnie Stanley & Baltimore Ravens Updates
While his base salary was reduced, Stanley will have a chance to earn back everything that he agreed to surrender and more. That is a price the Ravens would be willing to pay, as it means Stanley was able to stay healthy and on the field.
Stanley is an integral part of the Ravens’ lineup but he has been unable to stay healthy because of an ankle injury that has led to several other setbacks. He signed a massive extension in 2020 but has missed at least four games in every season since.
When on the field, Stanley is one of the premier left tackles in the NFL. He was an All-Pro in 2019, which is what earned him the lucrative extension in the first place. But, he has been unable to replicate that performance since, which has led to the restructured contract.
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