Ravens expect Marcus Peters to be in Baltimore in 2022

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spoke to the media on Friday and touched on a variety of topics related to the offseason. One such topic was the future of cornerback Marcus Peters.

Peters was forced to miss the entire 2021 season after suffering a torn ACL prior to Week 1. The three-time Pro Bowler’s absence was felt as the Ravens finished with the NFL’s 32nd-ranked pass defense, partially leading to defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s departure.

The expectation has been that Peters would return healthy in 2022, but there have been some rumblings that the team could look to move him (either via a trade or release) in an effort to create additional cap space.

That notion was seemingly put to bed on Friday when DeCosta assured fans that Peters was expected to return in 2022.

"“I love Marcus (Peters). I talk to him all the time. Marcus is one of these guys that when he comes to the organization, he provides such an authentic perspective. He’s a Raven. I would expect Marcus to be here.”"

Expect Marcus Peters to play for the Ravens in 2022

Peters will be entering the final year of a three-year, $42 million extension he signed with the team in December of 2019. He’s due to carry a cap hit of $15.5 million this season, one of the highest figures on the team.

However, the Ravens could save $10 million in cap space by releasing or trading him at any point this offseason. For a team as strapped for cash as the Ravens are, the rumors they could look to move him did make some sense.

Baltimore has just $14 million in cap space right now, and although they could create a little by releasing players like Alejandro Villanueva, getting Peters’ contract off the books is easily the most effective way to create space.

That said, DeCosta’s words seem to suggest that the Ravens will either look for other ways to save money or just work with the budget they have.

That could mean saying goodbye to players like Bradley Bozeman, DeShon Elliott, Anthony Averett, Calais Campbell, Patrick Ricard, Justin Houston, etc. The Ravens just simply won’t have enough money to keep all or most of those players around.

But one player who does seem to be staying is Marcus Peters. And that’s great news for a Baltimore Ravens secondary that struggled mightily in 2021.