How the Baltimore Ravens Can Reduce Their Offseason Salary Cap Expenses
The NFL’s salary cap is a critical component in shaping every team’s roster, ensuring parity and preventing wealthy franchises from stockpiling all the talent. For the Baltimore Ravens, managing the salary cap effectively is paramount for not only staying competitive but also securing the long-term health of the team. As the offseason approaches, the Ravens find themselves at a crossroads, with a number of strategic decisions to be made in order to reduce their salary cap expenses, while maintaining the core of their roster and continuing to compete for championships.
Salary cap management is both an art and a science, requiring teams to balance short-term flexibility with long-term sustainability. The Ravens have several methods available to them to reduce their offseason salary cap expenditures, including restructuring contracts, releasing underperforming or aging players, and even making trade moves to acquire future value. For the Ravens, a well-constructed salary cap strategy will enable them to maintain the financial flexibility to build a Super Bowl-contending roster. Below are some potential steps the Ravens could take to alleviate their salary cap burden.
1. Restructure Key Contracts
One of the most common ways NFL teams reduce salary cap space is by restructuring player contracts. This typically involves converting a portion of a player’s base salary into a signing bonus, which is then spread out over the remaining years of the contract. This allows the team to free up immediate cap space, though it does create future obligations, meaning the team must be confident in the player’s ability to perform at a high level over the life of the restructured deal.
For the Ravens, a few key players with hefty contracts could be candidates for restructuring:
Lamar Jackson:
Lamar Jackson is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Ravens’ offense. As one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, his contract represents a significant portion of the team’s salary cap. While restructuring his deal would free up some immediate cap space, the Ravens must be cautious, as this will add more cap hits down the road. However, Jackson’s status as an elite quarterback makes him a prime candidate for such a move. By converting a portion of Jackson’s salary into a signing bonus, the Ravens could significantly reduce his cap hit for the upcoming season and create flexibility for adding talent around him.
Marlon Humphrey:
Humphrey, the star cornerback, is another player whose contract could be restructured. As one of the top corners in the league, he is a critical piece of the Ravens’ defense, and his contract reflects that. With a restructure, the team could lower his immediate cap hit, which would allow them to reallocate resources to other areas of need, such as adding another receiver or bolstering the offensive line. However, as with Jackson, the Ravens would need to be careful about the long-term consequences of a restructure.
Ronnie Stanley:
Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens’ star left tackle, is another prime candidate for a restructure. After struggling with injuries in recent seasons, Stanley’s contract still carries a significant cap hit. If the Ravens can restructure his deal, they can free up cap space while also giving Stanley the financial security to recover and return to full health. A solid offensive line is crucial to Jackson’s success, and maintaining Stanley’s presence on the line, especially after a restructure, would provide continuity for the offense.
While restructuring can free up valuable cap space in the short term, it’s essential for the Ravens to balance the long-term implications of this approach. The team needs to ensure they’re not creating excessive future cap liabilities that could hinder their ability to make moves in future seasons.
2. Release or Trade High-Cost Veterans
Another common method of reducing cap space is releasing or trading high-cost veterans, particularly those who may no longer be performing at a level commensurate with their salary or who are entering the twilight years of their careers. The Ravens have a few players who could fall into this category, and parting ways with them could free up much-needed cap space.
Calais Campbell:
Calais Campbell has been a stalwart on the Ravens’ defensive line for years. The former All-Pro defensive lineman has been a leader in the locker room and a key contributor to the team’s defense. However, at 38 years old, Campbell is nearing the end of his career, and his cap hit for the upcoming season is sizable. While Campbell is still a productive player, the Ravens may decide that it’s time to move on and clear up cap space by releasing or potentially trading him. If the Ravens can find a trade partner, they could receive additional assets while lowering their salary cap expenses.
Chuck Clark:
Chuck Clark, the veteran safety, has also been a mainstay in the Ravens’ secondary. While he has been a reliable player, Clark’s cap hit may not align with his current level of play, particularly when compared to younger, up-and-coming players like Kyle Hamilton. If the Ravens decide to go in a different direction at safety, releasing or trading Clark could free up valuable cap space.
Mark Andrews (Hypothetical):
Although Mark Andrews is one of the most important players on the Ravens’ roster, there is a hypothetical scenario where the team might consider a trade to reduce salary cap space, especially if the Ravens are looking to retool at other positions. Andrews is due a hefty salary, and while trading him would create significant voids in the passing game, it’s a decision that could offer long-term financial flexibility. That being said, this is a more extreme measure and is unlikely to happen unless the Ravens make significant changes to their offensive approach.
3. Cutting Underperforming or Aging Players
The Ravens have historically been a well-managed franchise, but no team is immune to making tough decisions about players who no longer provide sufficient value for their cap hit. These players can often be released to clear cap space, particularly if they are entering the final years of their contracts or have shown a noticeable decline in production.
Justice Hill (Running Back):
While Hill has been a reliable backup in the Ravens’ deep running back room, the team may decide to part ways with him if they believe they can find cheaper or more productive options in the draft or free agency. By releasing Hill, the Ravens would save cap space, which could then be allocated to other areas of need, such as enhancing their passing game or improving the defensive line.
Patrick Ricard (Fullback):
Patrick Ricard is a versatile player who has served as a key component of the Ravens’ ground game. However, in today’s NFL, fullbacks are becoming less essential to many teams, and the Ravens could save cap space by releasing Ricard and opting for a more conventional running back or tight end in his place. Given the Ravens’ need for flexibility, this could be a decision worth considering.
4. Drafting and Developing Talent
One of the most effective ways to manage salary cap expenses is by investing in the draft and developing young talent on rookie contracts. These players provide high value for lower salaries, allowing teams to allocate more money to veteran players or other critical positions.
For the Ravens, the draft will be an essential tool in reducing cap costs. By selecting players who can step in and contribute immediately, particularly on rookie contracts, the Ravens can reduce their dependence on expensive veterans. For example, drafting a young, cheap wide receiver could allow the Ravens to save money and allocate it to other positions like cornerback or edge rusher.
In addition to drafting rookies, the Ravens can also look to develop players from within the organization. Identifying key contributors on low-cost contracts—whether through the draft or undrafted free agency—gives the team a significant financial advantage. This strategy could be especially crucial in the upcoming season when the team is looking to stay competitive while navigating their salary cap.
5. Leveraging the Salary Cap with Smart Free Agent Moves
The Ravens may also choose to pursue cost-effective free agent signings, particularly focusing on filling gaps with lower-cost veterans who can contribute on short-term deals. By targeting players with something to prove or those who may be overlooked due to age or injury concerns, the Ravens could find bargains that fit into their cap structure.
Additionally, the Ravens could make savvy moves to extend or restructure contracts with younger, emerging players to lock them into team-friendly deals. This will ensure that key players are financially secured while still maintaining cap flexibility.
