Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley decision looks even sweeter after Chiefs’ latest move

The Baltimore Ravens took the best left tackle off the market when they finally agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract extension with Ronnie Stanley right before the free-agency window opened.

Stanley was coming off arguably the best season of his career, starting all 17 games and earning a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts. Bringing him back to Baltimore was general manager Eric DeCosta’s biggest offseason priority, but for a minute there, things felt a bit iffy. The Ravens’ cap situation, along with a sudden silence from the Stanley front, had fans sweating over whether a deal could actually get done.

Then, the rumor mill flooded with teams interested in Stanley’s services—most notably, the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Pats are rebuilding, so who cares? But Stanley heading to KC to protect Patrick Mahomes in his quest to win every Super Bowl for the rest of his career? That was the nightmare scenario.

The Chiefs pivot from Ronnie Stanley dream to Jaylon Moore reality

With Stanley off the board, the Chiefs' desperation went from concerning to downright hilarious. And their first move in free agency? Oh boy.

Kansas City reportedly followed up its failed Stanley pursuit by signing Jaylon Moore, a former offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, to a two-year deal worth up to $30 million.

Addressing the offensive line was an obvious move, but throwing $15 million a season at a guy who's never started a full season? That’s quite the risk for a team with KC's pedigree and expectations.

Moore is coming off a relatively promising stint with the 49ers, where he filled in for Trent Williams and held his own. But now he’s being tasked with protecting Mahomes full-time—after Kansas City just traded away two-time All-Pro Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears and got nothing out of their second-round tackle Kingsley Suamataia last season.

It’s fair to wonder how much the Chiefs overpaid just because of how weak this year’s left tackle class is. But one thing’s for sure: The Ravens keeping Stanley set off a desperation move in Kansas City that could have serious consequences down the road.

So, in the end, Baltimore gets Stanley back while Kansas City hands $30 million to an unproven tackle and prays Mahomes doesn’t get folded in half. Pretty sweet consolation prize indeed.