Ravens extend Chuck Clark: 3 big things to think about

3. Who is next in line?

The contract extension that the Ravens need to figure out sooner rather than later is Ronnie Stanley. The Ravens need to be able to get a deal done with Stanley before he becomes a free agent in 2021. He was a Pro Bowl selection and was named first team All-Pro in 2019. Stanley could be the best left tackle in the game and left tackles make a huge amount of money. When we’re talking contract extensions, Stanley is the priority because you have to set the market with him rather than falling victim to the number set by a player like Laremy Tunsil. Stanley is the next name Baltimore wants to to re-sign. Expect DeCosta to try to get a deal done with either Marlon Humphrey or Mark Andrews next offseason, as they are set to be free agents in 2022.

They may be the next big names in line for the bag of money, however who are the next Tavon Young, Nick Boyle or Chuck Clark like players to get an extension? I would look at Bradley Bozeman. Bozeman will be a free agent in 2022. The Ravens have time, but making a move this year or the next would make sense. The Ravens see their offensive linemen taken away in free agency all the time and getting in front of that isn’t a bad idea. Remember if Ryan Jensen and Rick Wagner got big pay days in free agency, and Bozeman continues making strides, he’s going to be a very wealthy man.

There is also a lot of key players who will be free agents in 2022. It’s a list that includes, Humphrey, Andrews, Bozeman, Orlando Brown Jr., Hayden Hurst and Pat Ricard. The Ravens being proactive could help prevent an overwhelming 2022 offseason.

The main takeaway to all of this is that deals like the Clark extension make the world go round for the Ravens. They are smart moves with no downside and we need more moves like this in the coming years. DeCosta can add another achievement to his resume.