When the Baltimore Ravens saw left tackle Ronnie Stanley make an All-Pro team in 2019, they didn't hesitate to give him a five-year contract worth just short of $100 million. Since then, Stanley hasn't been the immovable rock next to Lamar Jackson that executives and fans alike were expecting.
Stanley has been a solid starting tackle when healthy, but it's hard to look at someone who has missed 36 games in four years and think of them as anything except a massive question mark. There is a very legitimate chance that Stanley has played his final game as a member of the Ravens.
Baltimore can save an eight-figure sum against the cap if they release Stanley as a post-June 1 cut. This move would be one of the more controversial in recent memory for Baltimore, as they would be looking for a replacement at their most important non-Jackson position during a championship-or-bust season for this coaching staff.
Baltimore needs to consider all the pros and cons that could come with cutting Stanley. In a league that doesn't exactly have a steady parade of Pro Bowl-level left tackles ready to step in, the Ravens need to realize that getting rid of Stanley is going to have massive ripple effects.
Pros and Cons of Baltimore Ravens possibly cutting LT Ronnie Stanley
Pros
The Ravens need to figure out a way to make sure free agents like Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, and fellow offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler are taken care of while also making meaningful improvements elsewhere on the roster. Stanley being cut loose could give them more money to throw around.
Stanley is going to turn 30 this offseason, and it's very unlikely that a player who has never suited up for all 16 or 17 games in a season will suddenly become an ironman in his later years. Would Baltimore accept one of their most important players being such an injury risk?
The Baltimore Ravens might need to cut Ronnie Stanley
Stanley made his lone Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection in 2019, and he's been sliding downhill ever since. While still a passable starting LT, he's nowhere near the All-Pro player that Baltimore thought they were getting when they inked him to such a gigantic contract.
If the Ravens want to find their next Stanley in the 2024 NFL Draft, they certainly picked a good year to need a tackle. Not only could they find someone who could keep Jackson upright for the next half-decade if they hit on the selection, but they would also be on a much cheaper deal than the former Notre Dame star.
Cons
Drafting a rookie to replace Stanley is risky enough, but this free agent class at the tackle spots is incredibly weak. The only player who is a no-doubt improvement over Stanley is Cowboys star Tyron Smith, who has been as much of an injury risk lately as the Ravens' expensive tackle.
While not an All-Pro, even a compromised Stanley performed well enough in 2023. Stanley started playing his best ball near the end of the season, showing he can still open up holes in the running game while using his exemplary anchor and power to stand out as a pass protector.
The Baltimore Ravens may decide to hold on to Ronnie Stanley
Patrick Mekari is a fine backup offensive lineman, but would most Ravens fans feel comfortable with him as the starting left tackle in 2024? Between Mekari, mammoth backup Daniel Faalele (who would need to convert from right tackle), and injured guard convert Andrew Vorhees, the internal replacements are underwhelming.
Stanley might end up being replaced in an offseason where both starting guards in Zeitler and John Simpson are free agents, and right tackle Morgan Moses is another possible cap cut. This offense was tremendous last season, so why would Baltimore risk parting with 80% of the starting offensive line?
Verdict
The Ravens would be better off holding on to Stanley for the 2024 season, even at a price that is above market value for him right now. It's impossible to guarantee that Baltimore would be able to land someone of equal or greater value over the next two years if they part with him.
Getting depth behind Stanley will be important, as the Ravens need to assume that he will miss some time during the season. Finding a competent backup for cheap could be a better idea than spending most of their financial wiggle room on a replacement while neglecting other needs.
The Baltimore Ravens need to hold on to Ronnie Stanley
The Ravens must acknowledge they had a great team last year, and they need to be weary about making too many subtractions from the equation. Losing your left tackle is a huge decision for Eric DeCosta to make, and getting rid of the blindside protector might not sit well with Jackson.
Stanley might be at the Last Chance Saloon, but he's put enough positives on film to warrant that last chance. The Ravens could be sent into a tailspin if they mess up their offensive line with an inferior replacement. Stanley, at his best, can be a big part of the solution to Baltimore's playoff struggles.