The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a crucial offseason with some massive financial decisions to make. With limited cap space and key players' futures in Baltimore, like Ronnie Stanley, Mark Andrews, Patrick Ricard, and Patrick Mekari potentially up in the air, general manager Eric DeCosta will have to make some tough calls.
One name that’s now being thrown into the mix? Marlon Humphrey. Alex Kay from Bleacher Report recently listed him as a potential cap casualty, and while the idea of cutting one of Baltimore’s top defenders might seem unthinkable, the numbers could tell a different story. Humphrey is set to count $25.4 million against the cap in 2025—more than anyone on the roster outside of Lamar Jackson. If the Ravens cut him, they’d free up a massive $12.7 million in space—more than double what they have now.
That’s not an easy decision. Humphrey has been a staple of this defense for years, and when healthy, he’s still one of the best corners in the game. But with injury concerns piling up and his price tag only getting heavier, Baltimore might be forced to consider moving on.
Would losing Humphrey hurt? Absolutely. But…
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay summed up the dilemma perfectly:
"Humphrey clearly still had what it took to be a top corner last year, but his shaky availability and rising age—he'll be 29 in July—could lead the Ravens to make an extremely difficult choice to cut him if they can't hammer out an extension or restructuring to bring down costs."
If the Ravens can restructure Humphrey’s deal and lower his cap hit, that’s the best-case scenario. But if they have to cut ties, there are other options. Nate Wiggins had an encouraging rookie season, T.J. Tampa is heading into Year 2, and the 2025 draft offers some intriguing names. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) both fit Baltimore’s physical, aggressive style and could be targets if the Ravens decide to go younger at corner.
The Ravens don’t want to part ways with Humphrey, but they also can’t afford to be sentimental. If keeping him means they can’t address other needs—offensive line, pass rush, or even adding another weapon for Jackson—then DeCosta has to at least consider making the tough call.
It’s a brutal business, and losing a fan favorite like Humphrey would sting. But if Baltimore believes the roster is better off with the cap space, they’ll have to pull the trigger. That’s how Super Bowl contenders operate.