Baltimore Ravens “Optimistic” About Retaining Tackle Ronnie Staley
The Baltimore Ravens boast one of the best running games in the NFL. This season, it was on full display. Lamar Jackson had another MVP-worthy season, and Derrick Henry continued to dominate the league, rushing for over 1,900 yards. A big reason for the success of the team has been tackle Ronnie Staley. The two-time Pro Bowler is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is considered one of the top players on the market. The Ravens don’t have much cap space, but that isn’t stopping the team’s optimism about retaining him.
Baltimore Ravens Want To Retain Ronnie Staley
General manager Eric DeCosta met with reporters Tuesday at the NFL Combine. He revealed that he will be meeting with Ronnie Staley’s agent, Kim Miale, while in Indianapolis for the event. The Baltimore Ravens don’t have much cap space to work with. With so many players already under contract, they are projected to have under $10 million to work with this offseason. That has not weakened their resolve to keep Staley.
“You never want to say 100%, but I feel good that we’ll have a good, healthy debate, a good process. We’re going to meet with Kim in Indy this week and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to get a deal done.”
DeCosta wants Ronnie Staley to be with the Baltimore Ravens next year. Head coach John Harbaugh echoed his general manager’s sentiment, saying he was “hopeful” the former Notre Dame product would return next year. He is coming off a 5-year, $98 million contract that he inked in 2019 after a first-team All-Pro season. However, he has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons. Still, when he is healthy, he is one of the top tackles in the game.
What If He Walks?
There is a chance Ronnie Staley will move on from the Baltimore Ravens. While teams can do a lot of backflips to make their salary cap work, the team may not be able to offer him the most money. The oft-injured Staley may be looking to get the maximum dollar from a team willing to take the risk. If that happens, the team does have Roger Rosengarten on the roster. He had a solid rookie season at right tackle but has experience on the other side of the line as well. DeCosta complimented him in the press conference, expressing confidence in the young player.
“We think Roger had a great year last year, he’s a very good athlete, way mature than a typical young player, I think he proved that this year with how he played and competed week-in-week-out. He’s definitely a factor on the left side if need be.”
It is always easier to lose a player if another is waiting in the wings. It all depends on what Staley is looking for. The Ravens have a championship-ready roster but not the most money. Other teams have oodles of cap space but are in the process of a rebuild. What the star left tackle wants for his career will ultimately decide where he goes.
Final Thoughts
The Baltimore Ravens might be saving face here. With Rosegarten waiting in the wings and the strong history of drafting, the team might opt not to sign an oft-injured player to a huge deal. While it might hurt a little bit, Harbaugh and his staff have shown they can coach up their young players. The team also has to look down the line at upcoming contract extensions and see what needs to be prioritized. We are a few weeks away from the opening of free agency. Will Staley be on the market?
