Baltimore Ravens restructure Tony Jefferson’s contract

Following the 2018 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens have opened up more cap space by restructuring Tony Jefferson’s contract.

The Baltimore Ravens are accustomed to being tight against the cap but Ozzie Newsome and the front office have their ways of maneuvering around it. One of the key tactics is contract restructures and it’s reportedly happened again.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Ravens have restructured safety Tony Jefferson’s contract, converting $5 million of his $6 million base salary into a signing bonus. The move effectively creates over $3 million in cap space this season.

As it stands, the Ravens have around $8.6 million in remaining cap space, per Russell Street Report’s Brian McFarland. 

It’s important to note that Jefferson giving up any money in the process. He’s simply earning more in the latter, which opens up cap space for the Ravens now. That’s the same reason they’ve restructured the contracts of Joe Flacco, Brandon Williams, among others in the past.

Jefferson signed a four-year, $34 million deal with the Ravens last offseason. He started all 16 games in Baltimore last season, totaling 79 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception. Pro Football Focus graded Jefferson as the 24th best safety, something he’ll look to improve.

Jefferson has a potential out in his contract after this season ($8.8 million in dead cap) but there’s no indication the Ravens would take that route. He’s still an extremely valuable asset to the secondary and a solid pairing with Eric Weddle. The two have the capability to be one of the best safety duos in the NFL this season.

Next: Baltimore Ravens: 3 roster bubble players to watch

There’s uncertainty to whether the Ravens are gearing up for another offseason signing. Given their track record, it wouldn’t be surprising. But with 12 new draft picks, the front office has done an efficient job at bringing in players that contribute now and as well as developmental depth for the future.