After years of injuries and missing time, Stanley finally played a full season once again. Can the Ravens retain him?
The NFL offseason is upon us and free agency creeps ever closer. With it, it’s time to look at the internal decisions the Baltimore Ravens are facing in the upcoming weeks. The Ravens have 19 players set to become void or unrestricted free agents when the new league year on March 12.
We continue our look around with Ronnie Stanley.
Expectations heading into 2024
In 2022 and 2023, Stanley played 11 and 13 games respectively bouncing back from his 2020 injury and his 2021 setback. In those seasons, it was clear the ankle injury was still bothering him and impacting his play. Heading into 2024, the Ravens had lost three starters along their offensive line, leaving only Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum as returning starters. The Ravens and Stanley altered the last year of his contract, taking down the cap hit and adding incentives. Nobody really knew what to expect from Stanley, but the message was clear:
It was sink or swim time for Ronnie Stanley and his career.
Actual role in 2024
17 games (17 starts): 575 pass blocking snaps (No. 27), 35 total pressures (No. 119), 4 hits allowed (No. 95), 2 sacks allowed (No. 61).
PFF Overall grade: 71.0 (No. 39 out of 141 tackles)
PFF Pass Blocking grade: 79.6 (No. 21 out of 141)
PFF Run Blocking grade: 63.4 (No. 63 out of 141)
And swam Stanley did. Stanley followed up the questions and worries with a return to his Pro Bowl form, taking a larger and more vocal leadership role over his line as the elder vet in the room. While the line as a whole wasn’t perfect, Stanley did his job as a franchise left tackle and helped to protect Lamar Jackson and the historic 2024 Ravens offense.
Outlook for 2025
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Stanley is expected to hit free agency for the first time in his 9-year career after an extension off his rookie contract in 2020. Stanley could still be “extended” before hitting the free agency date of March 12, 2025.
Pros of re-signing
Stanley has been the franchise left tackle practically since he was drafted to Baltimore in 2016. He knows the organization, the organization knows him. When healthy, which is now seemingly under control, he plays anywhere from a Pro Bowl to an All-Pro level. He also was the veteran leader, taking the reins of running the room last year, and becoming the vocal leader. Retaining Stanley would leave the offensive line with only one starter not returning and allow the Ravens to not force a pick early in the draft.
Cons of re-signing
Stanley will be 31 going into the 2025 season. While it’s not untypical for successful offensive linemen to play into their mid-30s and beyond, General Manager Eric DeCosta spoke last year of his wish to get younger on the line. They have that with three starters on their rookie contracts. Retaining Stanley for multiple years would be a step backward in that department. Stanley also isn’t the best run-blocking tackle, which for a balanced attack key focused on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry might not be the direction they want to go in.
Is there interest from both sides?
After years of injury struggles and both sides having to work together, it’s pretty easy to imagine Ronnie Stanley doesn’t want to go elsewhere. The Ravens worked with him during his major injury and would know better than any other team what his body needs to keep performing on game days.
EDC:
“We’ll meet with [Stanley’s agent] this week in Indy and I’m optimistic we’ll get a deal done”
Ravens clearly want Ronnie back in the fold next year.
— Z.J. (@ZJBeatdown) February 25, 2025
Cost?
The Ravens are limited on cap space this year. According to Spotrac, Stanley’s value is around $20.7 million a year, with an estimated 2-year, $41.3 million contract to be his next signing. Overthecap’s valuation has him down to $11.4 million, but it’s important to remember teams will often overpay for franchise left tackles who can perform, no matter the age.
Conclusion
The Ravens need a left tackle next year, and they probably shouldn’t rely on a rookie during a Super Bowl window or risk ruining Roger Rosengarten’s development by having him switch sides after he looked great on the right side. Ronnie Stanley has been Baltimore’s left tackle for nearly a decade, and there’s no reason to change that.
While they could go younger with somebody like Alaric Jackson or somebody who might not cost as much as Cam Robinson, Baltimore will already be paying Stanley $8 million in dead cap from a void year in 2025. An extension before free agency would minimize that dead cap money and give them more room to operate building their team.