Ravens Signing of 9-Year Veteran Named Top 10 Offseason Move

There are few things more important to the Ravens‘ success than keeping Lamar Jackson upright and healthy throughout the season. So, it’s no surprise that their move to re-sign veteran LT Ronnie Stanley has earned wide-spread praise. Just yesterday, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports ranked it in his top 10 offseason moves, in terms of how impactful it will be in 2025.

Stanley’s Return Provided Much-Needed Stability Along Offensive Line

Just two days before the legal tampering window opened back in March, the Ravens agreed to bring back Ronnie Stanley on a team-friendly, 3-year, $60 million deal. That deal made him the 10th-highest paid left tackle in the league.

His projected market value, according to Spotrac, hovered just above $20 million at around $20.7 million per year. While that’s not a huge discount, it’s not the first time he’s opted to take less money to stay with the Ravens.

Stanley took a 50% pay cut last June, dropping his 2024 salary from $15 million to $7.5 million. He more than made up for it with his on-field performance. The 9-year Ravens veteran played his first full season in 2024. He started all 17 games and earned his second Pro Bowl nod at age 30. He played the most offensive snaps (1,089) of his career last year, surpassing his total from 2021 through 2023 (982).

While the Ravens lost LG Patrick Mekari in free agency, Sullivan placed the utmost importance on Baltimore retaining Stanley.

“He was unquestionably the top left tackle on the market, and it appeared for a minute that he’d depart Baltimore for the highest bidder,” Sullivan wrote.

Stanley’s decision to stay with the Ravens solidified their blindside protection of superstar QB Lamar Jackson. With Baltimore firmly in their Super Bowl window, Sullivan called it “a monumental signing.”

“Keeping Jackson upright is the most important thing for Baltimore’s Super Bowl hopes, and keeping Stanley helps do just that,” Sullivan wrote.

Stanley’s Signing Came Down to Loyalty to Ravens Organization

Had Stanley opted to test the free agent market, there would have been several teams to show interest in the two-time Pro Bowler and 2019 First-Team All-Pro. The Ravens also would’ve had limited options in terms of replacements.

Shortly after the left tackle re-signed with the Ravens, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote about Stanley’s other options. Hensley reported that the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders likely would’ve pursued Stanley. But, he preferred to return to the Ravens out of loyalty to the organization.

“I knew I was going to give Baltimore the best bargain that I would offer to any other team,” Stanley said. “But that being said, I still wanted to be happy with what I’m making and make sure I’m getting the value that I feel like I deserve. I think it was a good balance that could help the team and something I’m still happy with.”

He told Hensley that he’d always give Baltimore “first dibs” for contract discussions and free agent decisions, “out of respect.”

“I think it just goes back to the fact that they drafted me straight out of college [and] took a chance on me,” Stanley said.

“The next-best tackle was arguably Dan Moore Jr., who gave up 12 sacks with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season,” Sullivan wrote. While Moore played over 1,100 snaps last year, 12 sacks will not cut it for Lamar Jackson’s blindside.

Stanley had rocketed up to No. 4 in the rankings released before the 2020 season. But, injuries cost him 32 games over the next three seasons. Heading into the 2025 season, the Ravens veteran earned the No. 23 spot in PFF’s offensive tackle rankings.

PFF’s Zoltán Buday called his 2024 season “a glimpse of what he is capable of when healthy.” He noted Stanley’s career-high snaps played. Buday also pointed out that the Ravens tackle “put together a very strong season as a pass protector.”

His PFF run blocking grade was just about average (64.0). But, he demonstrated his high-level pass blocking skills, earning an 80.9 PFF pass blocking grade. That ranked 16th among offensive tackles in 2024.