The NFL Combine offers teams a glimpse into the future, both in terms of player potential and organizational strategy. For the Baltimore Ravens, traditionally a reserved franchise, this period may have unveiled some offseason intentions.
Reflecting on a lackluster 2025 season, the Ravens are likely gearing up for an aggressive offseason. While they face limited cap space, quarterback Lamar Jackson's upcoming contract could provide some financial flexibility. Additionally, restructuring existing deals or making strategic cuts could further open up their budget.
However, it seems that cornerback Marlon Humphrey and linebacker Roquan Smith won’t see their contracts restructured. General Manager Eric DeCosta has indicated that discussions around altering these deals have been minimal.
DeCosta has publicly stated his expectation that Marlon Humphrey will remain a Raven without needing a contract adjustment, expressing his admiration for the player. Similarly, he hasn’t engaged in talks with Smith about changing his contract.
While some fans anticipated potential restructures for these key players, DeCosta appears to be holding his cards close. Avoiding restructuring might actually be a wise move for Baltimore. While immediate cap relief sounds appealing-saving $9.35 million on Smith and over $13.4 million on Humphrey-this would only defer larger cap hits to 2027, with Smith's hitting $32.7 million and Humphrey's void year amount nearing $12 million.
The financial implications of pushing these costs into the future could corner the Ravens in 2027. Although freeing up cap space now might allow for significant free agency moves, it could lead to financial constraints later. It's a classic case of short-term gain versus long-term stability.
Some fans have suggested cutting one or both veterans, but that strategy might backfire. Post-June 1 cuts could save money, but also create substantial dead cap hits.
For Smith, it means $20 million saved but $12.7 million in dead cap; for Humphrey, $19.2 million saved with $7 million in dead cap. The math doesn’t necessarily add up in the Ravens' favor.
Both Smith and Humphrey faced challenges last season, largely due to the previous defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s strategies and a struggling pass rush. With new head coach Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, there's optimism that these former All-Pros can return to form.
As free agency looms, the most effective financial maneuver could be extending Lamar Jackson, reducing his hefty $74.5 million cap hit. DeCosta seems poised to make that happen, potentially setting the stage for a revitalized Ravens roster.