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.