The Baltimore Ravens are facing perhaps their toughest and most impactful offseason decision in years as two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley hits the free agent market for the first time in his career. After delivering his best season since a severe ankle injury in 2020, the 31-year-old Stanley has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier blindside protectors for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. But with a projected market value of over $20 million per year, the Ravens must weigh if they can afford to keep Stanley as they navigate a tight salary cap situation.
Stanley’s Importance to the Ravens Offense
There’s no question that retaining Stanley would be the ideal scenario for Baltimore. When healthy, the former No. 6 overall pick is among the league’s elite left tackles, earning a 92.5% pass block win rate that ranked 12th at the position in 2024. His presence helps unlock the full potential of the Ravens’ unique offense led by the dynamic Jackson.
As a respected voice in the locker room, Stanley also provides invaluable leadership for a young offensive line. The Ravens showed last offseason they aren’t afraid to get younger up front, replacing expensive veterans with draft picks. But completely overhauling the left side of the line by letting Stanley walk would be a major risk.
Analyzing a Post-Stanley Ravens O-Line
If Stanley departs in free agency, the Ravens could look to shift second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten to the left side. The 2024 second-rounder played left tackle in college and GM Eric DeCosta said he’s “excited to see what he looks like” at the position going forward. Rosengarten showed promise as a rookie, but entrusting him to protect Jackson’s blindside would be a significant leap of faith.
“We are aware that we have some guys whose contracts are up, and we’ll look at that and certainly have some discussions with players. We’ll overturn every rock to find as many good offensive linemen as we can.”
– Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on the offensive line
The Salary Cap Conundrum
Ultimately, the decision on Stanley may come down to dollars and cents. The Ravens are projected to have one of the lowest amounts of cap space in the NFL this offseason. And with other pressing needs, they could deem investing $20+ million per year in a 31-year-old left tackle coming off major injuries as an irresponsible allocation of limited resources.
Stanley already took a pay cut last year to stay in Baltimore, calling the city his “second home.” He’s previously said he wants to leave the Ravens “on a positive note” if he does go. But will the two sides agree on a number that keeps him in purple and black without hamstringing the rest of the roster? That’s the multi-million dollar question.
The Lamar Factor
Of course, any discussion of the Ravens’ offensive line has to consider the unique skills of the quarterback they’re tasked with protecting. Jackson’s elusiveness and improvisational ability allow him to overcome pressure and make plays outside the pocket in a way few QBs can. In the 20 games Jackson has started without Stanley since 2020, the Ravens went an impressive 16-4.
That’s led some to argue that Baltimore doesn’t need to invest quite as much in pass protection as other teams. An undeniable chemistry exists between Stanley and Jackson, but could the Ravens get by with a cheaper, less proven option if it means being able to upgrade other parts of the roster?
Potential Replacements in the Draft and Free Agency
- Draft Options: Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones
- Free Agent Targets: Orlando Brown Jr., Donovan Smith, Taylor Lewan
If Stanley walks, finding a replacement will become a top priority – either in the draft, where the Ravens could look to use one of their early picks on a cost-controlled young tackle, or in free agency, where there are several solid veteran options but with many teams competing for their services.
Ultimately, there’s no easy answer to the dilemma the Ravens face with Stanley. He’s an undeniable talent and leader when healthy. But committing top-of-the-market money to an oft-injured lineman on the wrong side of 30, at the expense of addressing other needs, is a risk the cap-strapped Ravens may not be able to afford.
DeCosta, head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the Ravens brain trust will earn their money this offseason as they try to thread the needle of fielding a contending roster in an AFC loaded with young quarterback talent. What they decide on Stanley – their longest-tenured homegrown star besides Jackson himself – will go a long way to determining if the championship window stays open in Baltimore.
