What decision by the Baltimore Ravens has been the best this offseason and free agency?
During the Baltimore Ravens pre-draft press conference, General Manager Eric DeCosta said one of the final moves he had to mark off his checklist before the 2024 NFL Draft was re-sign outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The two sides came to an agreement on April 4, which signals the Ravens are just about done making transactions before the draft kicks off at months end. This makes it a good time to reflect on all the moves the Ravens have made (or not) this offseason.
For a full list, check out our offseason tracker, but the main ones include coming to a long-term agreement with defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, signing running back Derrick Henry, offensive tackle Josh Jones and wide receiver Deonte Harty, reworking left tackle Ronnie Stanley’s contract, trading right tackle Morgan Moses, re-signing Van Noy and cornerback Arthur Maulet and cutting outside linebacker Tyus Bowser.
But if you could only select one. . .
What has been the Ravens’ best offseason move thus far?
My Answer: Signing Madubuike to a long-term contract.
In a vacuum, the Ravens re-signed an interior defensive lineman who produced a 13-sack season to a four-year, $98 million deal with $70.5 million in total guarantees. He was the best player they could have signed this offseason and the duo of of DeCosta and Vice President of Football Administration Nick Matteo got it done.
Now, to add the context that puts this move above the signing of Henry, which I have at No. 2.
The long-term deal avoided Madubuike going on the franchise tag. It saved the Ravens from a crippling financial standpoint, as they were tight against the salary cap. And Madubuike didn’t have to do it. He could’ve sat on $22.1 million guaranteed and let it ride. Instead, his side worked out a deal that benefitted both parties.
The Madubuike deal cascaded financial freedom for the Ravens the rest of the way. It was a great boon for Baltimore. It opened the Ravens up to sign Henry, Maulet and others this offseason. Days later, the value of the deal was on full display.
One day after Madubuike’s deal, Kansas City Chiefs interior defensive lineman Chris Jones re-signed a five-year, $158.8 million deal with $95 million guaranteed. It’s the richest deal in interior defensive linemen history, eclipsing Aaron Donald’s six-year, $135 million extension in 2018.
Six days after Madubuike’s deal, the Las Vegas Raiders shelled out $110 million on a four-year deal to sign defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. The deal included total guarantees of $92.75 million.
Signing Madubuike led to securing one of their biggest stars, financial freedom for the offseason and became a significantly more valuable signing only six days later. To me, this is the best offseason move the Ravens made this offseason.
What has been your favorite offseason move for the Ravens? Comment below.