7 ways the Ravens could create extra cap space this offseason

2. The Ravens could restructure Marlon Humphrey’s contract

Marcus Peters isn’t the only star cornerback on the roster with a flexible contract. Obviously Marlon Humphrey isn’t going anywhere, but his contract could present an opportunity for the Ravens to create some extra cap space.

Humphrey’s $17.45 million cap hit is projected to be the third-highest on the roster behind just Lamar Jackson and Ronnie Stanley. However, the Ravens could reduce that cap hit dramatically.

Ravens cap expert Brian McFarland of Russell Street Report recently detailed how Baltimore could reduce Humphrey’s $10 million base salary significantly, possibly even down to the league minimum ($1.035 million), with the difference being paid as a signing bonus.

That bonus would then prorate over the next five years freeing up over $7 million in cap space in 2022. This one seems like a very likely scenario.

1. The Ravens could release Alejandro Villanueva

Of all the scenarios proposed on this list, this one is easily the most likely. In fact, it’s hard to imagine any reality where Alejandro Villanueva is on the Ravens’ roster in 2022.

Villanueva was downright bad in his lone season in Baltimore serving as more of a liability at left tackle than anything else. Fortunately, his two-year contract was more of a one-year deal with a team option.

The Ravens could cut Villanueva and his $9.25 million cap hit by taking on a dead cap charge of $3.25 million. In short, releasing him saves the team $6 million.

Expect the Ravens to take that out and look to bolster their offensive line in other ways this offseason. Villanueva is as good as gone.