NFL free agency will be interesting, as always.
The negotiating window opens on Monday, March 10 at 12 p.m., and there's going to be plenty of movement around the league. Here are 10 thoughts on the Ravens heading into 2025 free agency, all in 50 words or less:
- Agreeing to terms with Ronnie Stanley on Saturday was a perfect way for the Ravens to enter free agency. The offensive line now has three pieces set with Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum, and Roger Rosengarten, and Stanley's return gives Baltimore more flexibility to address other needs.
- Rosengarten seemed to improve every week starting at right tackle as a rookie. If the Ravens need him on the left side next season, he's got the confidence and ability to handle it. Myles Garrett is right, Rosengarten is not a nobody.
- Baltimore has been very good over the years finding the right player at the right price. That will be their strategy again. The pool of NFL free agents got deeper this week, with many players being released due to cost-cutting measures.
- The Ravens don't have a ton of salary cap space, but they have one of the NFL's strongest rosters. Other teams are going to make a big splash early. The Ravens can be patient in March, especially when they're expected to have 11 draft picks in April.
- Since the AFC North became a four-team division in 2002, nobody has won it three straight years. I'm not crowning the Ravens in March, but I like their chances to three-peat. The Bengals, Steelers, and Browns all begin free agency with major question marks.
- The Bengals have given defensive end Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. Garrett wants out of Cleveland. The Ravens would love to see both pass rushers traded out of the AFC North and would probably help pack their bags.
- No matter what Patrick Ricard hears in free agency, I think the five-time Pro Bowler is going to re-sign with Baltimore. He's a great fit at fullback blocking for Derrick Henry, and Ricard has been with the Ravens since 2017. A Ricard-Ravens redo seems like a win-win.
- Currently, there are no Black offensive coordinators in the NFL. Ravens Quarterbacks Coach Tee Martin was an offensive coordinator at USC, and he's had interviews to become an NFL coordinator. But for Black coaches, moving up the ranks on the offensive side remains more challenging.
- If Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is available at No. 27, he might be hard for the Ravens to pass up. Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith has helped many edge rushers blossom. Pearce was impressive at the Scouting Combine and has raw talent to work with.
- Even if the Ravens don't land Pearce, I think they'll draft a pass rusher no later than Day 2. Getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks without having to blitz is so important. And it wouldn't surprise me to see Baltimore sign a pass rusher at some point.
