With the start of the new league year and the free agency signing period officially kicking off at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Iโve offered a dozen Ravens thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The Ravens remained in a holding pattern Monday and Tuesday as one of the few teams not to come to terms with a single outside free agent โ at least to our knowledge. Of course, thatโs hardly unprecedented for an organization thatโs usually pretty conservative to start free agency anyway.
2. Iโve really tried to avoid drawing conclusions from incomplete contract details, and Lamar Jacksonโs Tuesday tweets still left some ambiguity. However, they did seem to confirm his biggest focus being fully guaranteed money at signing, which has been the assumption since Deshaun Watson signed his $230 million contract last March.
133/3years fully guaranteed
but I need a agent?
โ Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 14, 2023
3. Wednesday will begin revealing which teams are serious about signing Jackson to an offer sheet despite multiple factors hindering them. I still have a tough time believing Baltimore used the non-exclusive tag without having a strong read on the teams realistically in play and what their contract capabilities are.
4. Even before creating $27 million in cap space Tuesday, Indianapolis stood out as a possible candidate, especially considering its quarterback woes since Andrew Luckโs retirement. Thoughts of Baltimore enduring old Mayflower jokes again are brutal, but I remain unconvinced that Jackson will find the offer sheet he desires. Weโll see.
5. The Ravens have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to tender their six restricted free agents, a group including Tyler Huntley, Geno Stone, and Trystan Colon. Considering the $2.6 million cost for the right of first refusal, Huntley is likely the only tender candidate. Of course, other contract structures are possible.
6. The use of void years on contract restructures for Michael Pierce, Kevin Zeitler, and Gus Edwards reflects how tight the salary cap is, but that approach isnโt a major concern with smaller deals. Baltimore also has several other restructure candidates to use as needed in the coming days and weeks.
7. Though the Ravens left open the possibility of Calais Campbell returning on a cheaper deal, his comments to Josina Anderson didnโt seem to reflect there being any sort of a wink-wink agreement. Time will tell, but Campbell can still make an impact for any number of contenders.
Text from Calais Campbell on the next chapter of his NFL future after moving on from the #Ravens: "I love Baltimore, but everything happens for a reason. I am going to be ready to dominate for someone next season. Some team is gonna get a beast out there."โ JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 14, 2023
8. Iโm intrigued to see what the market looks like for Marcus Peters, especially after Pittsburgh agreed to terms with Patrick Peterson on a reported two-year, $14 million deal with nearly $6 million guaranteed. Peters is 2 1/2 years younger than the new Steelers cornerback.
9. Losing Peters in addition to Chuck Clark would be a tough blow from a defensive leadership standpoint. If Stone also leaves in free agency, the depth in the secondary could be as thin as itโs looked in a long time.
10. Good for Ben Powers to cash in after a breakout 2022 that began with many wondering if he would even make the 53-man roster. Heโs a good example of why itโs important not to give up on draft picks too quickly. Ben Cleveland, youโre on the clock.
11. Say what you want about Greg Roman, but he probably deserves a nice gift from Josh Oliver, who agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with Minnesota. Oliver worked hard to become one of the leagueโs better blocking tight ends, but that probably doesnโt happen in many other offenses.
12. After claiming former second-round cornerback Trayvon Mullen โ and his expiring contract โ off waivers in late January, the Ravens re-signing him was the only logical step. You may have heard Mullen is the cousin of a certain Baltimore quarterback, but I doubt thatโs pushing a long-term agreement across the finish line.
Baltimore know what time it is, my journey not finished
โ Treyway Mullen (@MullenIsland1) March 14, 2023