The Ravens officially tendered safety Ar’Darius Washington, a restricted free agent.
Entering free agency, safety Ar’Darius Washington had completed the final year of his contract with the team. But rather than being an unrestricted free agent able to sign wherever he’s offered, Washington was a restricted free agent. The Ravens had multiple options on what to do with their 2021 undrafted rookie, and opted to tender him.
The Ravens opted to use the Right-of-first-refusal tender, which means Washington will be on a one-year, $3.263 million contract. And if another team is looking to sign him, they first must submit an offer sheet to the Ravens. The team will send a contract Washington is willing to sign, and the Ravens get a chance with their Right-of-first-refusal tender to match the deal. If the Ravens do, they sign Washington. If they don’t, the team offering the contract then signs Washington and the Ravens receive nothing.
The Ravens had multiple options with regard to Washington’s tender. They could’ve used a first- or second-round tender. Both come with higher pay — meaning higher salary cap implications — which is likely why they used the Right-of-first-refusal tender.
First-round tender: $7.458 or 110% of prior-year salary, whichever is greater
Second-round tender: $5.346 million, or 110% of prior-year salary, whichever is greater
Had the Ravens applied either tender to Washington, any team looking to add him would’ve been forced to give the Ravens whichever round of draft pick in exchange. And while the Ravens likely would’ve accepted a first- or second-round pick for another team to add him, the odds are near zero any team values Washington enough to part with such a high pick.
Speculation is Washington’s not too thrilled about being low tendered. On March 9, he tweeted “Bet.” and “[Standing On Business] all 2025 regardless..”.