Bradley Bozeman gets emotional when discussing his Ravens future

As their 2021 season comes to a close, the Baltimore Ravens have several key roster decisions to make, including one on center Bradley Bozeman.

Bozeman will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and depending on what the team prioritizes in 2022, he may have played his last game with the Ravens.

The fourth-year pro was drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he’s just starting to pay dividends in 2021.

The Ravens made the decision to move Bozeman back to center this season, the position he played back at Alabama. Despite playing left guard for most of his Baltimore career, Bozeman plugged in wherever the Ravens needed him most in the offensive line.

With depth at left guard (usually a rotation of Ben Powers and Ben Cleveland), Bozeman became one of the team’s most reliable offensive linemen in his new position.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee recently spoke to reporters about whether Year 4 would be his last with the Ravens.

Ravens’ Bradley Bozeman tears up in potential farewell to Baltimore

Bozeman has been Mr. Reliable for the last three years, starting in 16 games each year. In 2021, he missed Week 17’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to food poisoning, ending his streak of 47 consecutive starts.

The Ravens would obviously like to keep Bozeman around since they already have enough rebuilding to do in the offensive and defensive lines. But this decision may hinge on the business, rather than personal, aspect of Bozeman’s relationship to the team.

Some reports say Bozeman could be seeking a bigger paycheck than what the Ravens can afford. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic noted there was “quite a bit of separation” between what the center was asking for and what Baltimore was willing to pay, which isn’t a good sign.

Bozeman’s Baltimore career thus is left in limbo with his fate likely decided by Eric DeCosta and the franchise’s cap wizards — the team must also consider re-signing other key members like Calais Campbell, Anthony Averett, and DeShon Elliott, all of whom will become free agents next year.

If the two parties can reach a mutual agreement, that would be ideal. If not, Bozeman knows there are plenty of other suitors in the NFL in dire need of an upgrade in their offensive line.

Still, Bozeman formed some special and emotional bonds to the franchise over these past four years. Should he leave for greener pastures, he deserves a hero’s farewell in Baltimore.

Change could be coming, Ravens fans.