Report: Baltimore Ravens restructure Brandon Williams’ contract
By Joe Schiller
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Baltimore Ravens and Brandon Williams have agreed to a contract restructure.
After releasing veterans Jeremy Maclin, Danny Woodhead and Austin Howard, it was only a matter of time before the Baltimore Ravens cleared up more cap space. This time it comes by way of a contract restructure.
According to Field Yates, the Ravens have restructured Brandon Williams’ contract. The team creates $5.625M in cap space with the move.
Source: the Ravens converted $7.5M of NT Brandon Williams’ $8.5M 2018 base salary into a signing bonus, creating $5.625M in cap space for 2018.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2018
As Yates reported, $7.5M of Williams’ $8.5M base salary will be converted to a signing bonus. It’s important to note that Williams isn’t taking a pay cut. He’s still earning the same amount of money just over a different period of time.
The restructure puts a burden on future cap numbers but gives the Ravens much-needed space right now.
Brandon Williams’ restructure was accomplished by reducing his $8.5M bonus down to $1M & giving him a $7.5M bonus. That bonus is then prorated over the 4 yrs of the deal. Saves $5.625M against Cap in 2018 & adds $1.875M to each of his Cap #’s in 2019-2021.
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) March 15, 2018
It’s common for a team like the Ravens to restructure contracts with limited cap room. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the team is targeting a big-name signing, Ozzie and company aren’t expected to go quietly into free agency. Jeremy Maclin was a last-minute acquisition last offseason so an impending move can’t be counted out.
So, what’s next?
Adding a tight end or wide receiver is still needed no matter what the Ravens do in the NFL draft. Jordy Nelson was expected to visit Baltimore but might not make it out of Oakland today. If that’s the case, wide receiver Michael Crabtree could be a potential cap casualty target. Add him to the list with Eric Ebron, a promising pass-catching tight end who the Ravens could strike a deal with.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: The Good, Bad & the ugly from 1st 2 signings
Signing cap casualty receivers won’t count against the compensatory pick formula, something the Ravens have benefitted from over the years. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them do the same in a year where receiver help is a top priority.