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Baltimore Ravens cut Eric Weddle: 3 big things to think about

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Free Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Free Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. What this could mean for other players:

The first thing to think about is how does this influence the decision of re-signing Terrell Suggs? Weddle and Suggs were the clear leaders of not just the defense, but the entire team. Without Weddle, the Ravens almost have no choice but to bring back Suggs. Getting younger is an admirable task for the front office to take with the defense, but they can’t just rip older players away in one brisk swoop. Suggs is coming off a season in which he was still a good player even if his numbers dipped at the end of the season. It’s different with Suggs. He’s been in Baltimore since 2003 and that has a value to the team, but he is still a starting caliber player. The Ravens could lose Mosley to free agency and just cut Weddle. Parting with Suggs could be a culture shock that John Harbaugh doesn’t need; there surely would be a new world order in the locker room.

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The next decision to make is with Jimmy Smith. Cutting him would certainly make some sense. The Ravens would clear up even more cap space. Keeping Smith would however offer a great comfort at the cornerback position. Marlon Humphrey, Smith and Brandon Carr can lock down a lot and Tavon Young is a great nickel corner. DeCosta may be thinking that the Ravens can get by at the safety position (even if they have to bring a player to be named later) because the cornerback position is so strong. Smith is still a high impact player plus extending his contract would give the Ravens some flexibility without saying goodbye. Everything is still on the table for Smith. The key point here is that the Ravens would have had a difficult time keeping Weddle and Smith.

Free safety did just pop up on the Ravens list of needs, but it was kind of already there. The Ravens may be able to make a push at Tyrann Mathieu in free agency. Who knows what the Ravens will do, but they cleared cap space for a reason. Some of the cap relief could go to re-signing Mosley or it could be earmarked for an offensive linemen. One thing roster moves like this mean, is that the Ravens have a plan that we have to wait to see unfold.

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