With free agency approaching, what will happen to Ravens lineman Ronnie Stanley next?

As of the 2025 NFL offseason, the situation surrounding Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley is one of significant interest to both the team and its fanbase. The future of Stanley, one of the NFL’s most talented and highly compensated left tackles, will be shaped by several key factors. These include his injury history, his impact on the Ravens’ offensive line, the team’s cap situation, the evolving nature of his role in the offense, and the broader context of the NFL’s changing market for premium offensive linemen.

The Current State of Ronnie Stanley’s Career

Ronnie Stanley was drafted by the Ravens with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, heralded as a potential cornerstone left tackle for the team. Since then, Stanley has lived up to that promise, earning a reputation as one of the league’s premier offensive linemen. Over the years, Stanley has been instrumental in protecting quarterbacks and opening up running lanes for the Ravens’ offense, especially in an era that has placed increasing value on the protection of franchise quarterbacks.

Stanley’s career has been marked by both significant successes and a frustrating series of injuries. After making an immediate impact during his rookie year, Stanley became a key player in the Ravens’ offensive line. In 2020, he was named to his first Pro Bowl after a stellar season, and many analysts and fans viewed him as one of the league’s best left tackles. However, in late 2020, Stanley suffered a serious ankle injury that would significantly impact his subsequent seasons.

The injury required multiple surgeries, and Stanley has struggled to return to his previous elite form. In 2021, he played in just one game, and even in 2022, after a full offseason of rehab, he was still not 100%. Despite the injury setbacks, Stanley remained a crucial piece of the Ravens’ offensive line. As of 2025, there are questions about whether he will ever return to his All-Pro level, and if so, for how long. His ability to bounce back from these injuries will play a major role in determining his future with the team.

2025 Free Agency Outlook

With free agency on the horizon, the Ravens are facing an important decision regarding Stanley’s future. As a premium player at one of the most critical positions in football, Stanley will likely be an expensive player to retain. In 2025, Stanley is entering the final years of his contract, which could push the Ravens into a difficult position. They will need to decide whether to extend Stanley, restructure his contract, or part ways with him in favor of a more affordable solution.

Contract and Salary Cap Situation

Ronnie Stanley’s current contract is one of the most lucrative offensive line contracts in the league, reflective of his elite talent when healthy. He signed a five-year, $98.75 million extension with the Ravens in 2019, which at the time made him the highest-paid left tackle in NFL history. This deal includes significant guaranteed money, making it a complex situation for the Ravens’ front office as they attempt to balance cap space and long-term commitments.

The Ravens are currently in a challenging cap situation. With quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract also being a major factor in the team’s financial flexibility, the Ravens may need to prioritize certain areas of their roster, particularly where they can gain the most value. If Stanley’s performance continues to be hampered by injuries or if his long-term prospects are uncertain, the Ravens might consider moving on from him in favor of more financial flexibility.

On the other hand, if Stanley can return to peak form, the Ravens might want to keep him on the roster for the long haul, as having a strong left tackle is paramount to both Lamar Jackson’s protection and the team’s offensive success.

Contract Extension vs. Restructuring

If the Ravens do decide to keep Stanley, one potential avenue is restructuring his contract. This could allow them to lower his cap hit in the short term while still preserving his services for another few years. In the event that Stanley has regained his health and form, this could be a win-win scenario for both sides, enabling the Ravens to continue building around their franchise quarterback while also keeping one of the league’s most talented offensive linemen.

Alternatively, the Ravens could look at extending Stanley’s contract beyond 2025, especially if they believe he can remain healthy for the long term. An extension could potentially reduce the cap hit for 2025, but it could also complicate their future cap flexibility. Given the unpredictability of Stanley’s health, the Ravens will have to weigh the risks carefully.

In the worst-case scenario, the Ravens might be forced to cut Stanley or trade him in order to get out from under the massive contract and allocate those resources elsewhere. This could be a particularly difficult move to make, given Stanley’s high level of play when healthy, but if the injury concerns persist, it might be necessary for the team’s long-term outlook.

Market Dynamics for Left Tackles

The broader market for left tackles also plays a role in Stanley’s future with the Ravens. Left tackle is one of the most coveted positions in the NFL, and players at this position often fetch massive contracts. The Ravens will likely need to assess the market for free-agent offensive tackles and determine if there are viable, affordable alternatives that could provide similar or better value than retaining Stanley at his current price.

However, the left tackle market is always competitive, and there will likely be teams willing to pay top dollar for a player of Stanley’s pedigree. This could create a situation where the Ravens need to decide if they want to match an offer or let Stanley walk and pursue a younger, less expensive option. It’s also possible that Stanley could attract interest from a team with significant cap space, meaning the Ravens might need to act quickly if they want to keep him.

Health and Performance

The most critical factor in Stanley’s future, beyond salary cap considerations, is his health. If Stanley can regain his previous form and stay healthy for the long term, it would likely strengthen his case for a contract extension or a restructuring. However, given the nature of his injury history, the Ravens cannot afford to make decisions based on hope alone. They will need to take a long, hard look at how Stanley has performed over the past two seasons and weigh his current level of play against his potential upside.

Should Stanley show signs of regaining his peak form, the Ravens might be more inclined to take on the financial risk of keeping him in Baltimore. If Stanley is unable to regain his elite play, then the Ravens may look for alternative solutions, including seeking another left tackle in free agency or through the draft.

Possible Outcomes for Ronnie Stanley

1. Contract Extension or Restructuring

One potential outcome for Ronnie Stanley in 2025 is a contract extension or restructuring, which would allow him to stay in Baltimore for the foreseeable future. If Stanley proves he can stay healthy and maintain his high level of play, the Ravens would likely want to retain him as their franchise left tackle. An extension would provide the team with additional financial flexibility while keeping one of the league’s best offensive linemen in place.

2. Release or Trade

If the Ravens’ evaluation of Stanley’s health and performance leads them to believe he is unlikely to return to his previous form, they could release him or trade him to another team in need of a left tackle. This would free up significant cap space, which could be used to address other areas of the roster. However, parting ways with Stanley would come at a steep cost, both financially and emotionally, given his history with the team and his importance to the offensive line.

3. Transition to a New Role

Another possible outcome is that the Ravens shift Stanley to a different role within the offensive line, potentially moving him to right tackle or even considering him as a swing tackle. However, this would require a significant change in both the team’s offensive line philosophy and Stanley’s individual career trajectory. It is unlikely that Stanley would be open to this kind of transition unless absolutely necessary, and it would likely be viewed as a last resort if his play at left tackle continues to be compromised.

4. Retirement or Final Years in Baltimore

In a more long-term view, it’s possible that Stanley could retire after his contract expires, particularly if he feels his body can no longer handle the demands of an NFL season. This would bring an end to a promising career that was marred by injuries but also defined by peak-level performance when healthy. Alternatively, Stanley could see out the final years of his deal in Baltimore, playing a less prominent role but still contributing as a depth piece on the offensive line.

 

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