This time last February, the Baltimore Ravens had one of the NFL’s best rosters and a loaded offensive unit looking to build on the record-setting performance from 2024. The Ravens weren’t overly active during the first wave of NFL free agency, but they added DeAndre Hopkins to the passing game and Jake Hummel to the special teams.
Baltimore retained Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Ricard, and Tylan Wallace, while the restructuring of Marlon Humphrey created $13 million in salary cap space. Fast forward to now, and John Harbaugh was fired following an 8-9 season and a last-second loss to Pittsburgh in a Week 18 winner-take-all scenario. Harbaugh is out after 18 years in Baltimore and took his talents to New York, where he signed a five-year deal with the Giants.
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In came new head coach Jesse Minter, who has added Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator and Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator. The Ravens will initially have 22 unrestricted free agents, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre’Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar’Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will have decisions to make on. Odafe Oweh was one of the biggest names on the list, but he was traded, while Kyle Hamilon and Mark Andrews signed huge contract extensions.
As teams around the league prepare for the NFL scouting combine, the franchise tag window opens on Tuesday and closes on March 3 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
Any unrestricted free agent not tagged in that period will be able to sign with any suitor when the new league year and free agency open on March 11. The negotiating period, when teams can contact agents of potential free agents to start talks, begins on Monday, March 9. Last year, Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith and wide receiver Tee Higgins (Bengals) were tagged before signing long-term deals.
The year before, Lamar Jackson was among six players tagged, with three, including defensive tackle Daron Payne (Giants) and tight end Evan Engram (Jaguars), signing long-term extensions.
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The 2025 salary cap hasn’t been set yet, but it’s expected to exceed $301 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
February 17 Franchise tag candidate
Isaiah Likely could be a candidate with an almost $16 million tag.
With the window opening, we’re looking at the Ravens history with the tag.Lamar Jackson –2023
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) prepares to throw the ball during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson was the eighth player and first quarterback to get the franchise tag from the Ravens.
The only players who got tagged and didn’t re-sign with the Ravens were offensive lineman Wally Williams (1998) and outside linebacker Matthew Judon (2020). The non-exclusive tag came with a 2023 salary of $32.4 million, about $ 13 million less than the exclusive tag would have cost. Two years ago, Jackson and Ravens GM Eric DeCosta eventually agreed to a five-year, $260 million extension, with $185 million guaranteed.
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Matthew Judon –2020
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon (99) stands before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, September 28, 2020, in Baltimore. Baltimore initially placed the franchise tag on Judon in 2020, and the pass rusher played the year out before making a big move.
The Ravens decided the price for Judon was too hefty and let him enter the free-agent market.
Judon signed a four-year, $56 million deal, with $32 million guaranteed, with the New England Patriots in March 2021.
Justin Tucker– 2016
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) warms up prior to the AFC Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Tucker was assigned the franchise tag in 2016 and signed his tender shortly after. But before the season began, the two sides agreed to a four-year contract.
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Ray Rice–2016
RB – Ray Rice
Baltimore placed the tag on RB Ray Rice in March 2012 after he posted a career-best 1,364 yards in 2011. Rice signed a five-year, $40 million extension that July.
Haloti Ngata–2011
Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens used the franchise tag on DT Haloti Ngata before the 2011 season following back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Ngata ultimately signed a five-year contract with the team in September 2011.
Terrell Suggs –2008/2009
Oct 1, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) gets introduced prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
After posting a career-low five sacks in 2007, Suggs was franchised and bounced back with eight sacks and two interceptions in 2008.
After getting tagged again, Suggs signed a six-year, $63 million deal that July.
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Chris McAllister –2003/2004
28 Jan 2001: Chris McAlister #21 of the Baltimore Ravens intercepts the ball during the Super Bowl XXXV Game against the New York Giants at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens defeated the Giants 34-7.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
McAlister was tagged by the Ravens in 2003. After earning All-Pro honors, the cornerback and the team were unable to reach a new contract before the 2004 season, leading to McAlister being tagged again. He signed a long-term contract in October 2004 on his way to another Pro Bowl berth.
Wally Williams –1998
The Ravens applied the tag to offensive lineman Wally Williams in 1998. He played under the tag for the 1998 season, and then left for the New Orleans Saints in 1999.
The Ravens applied the tag to offensive lineman Wally Williams in 1998. He played under the tag in 1998, then left for the New Orleans Saints in 1999.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL free agency: Looking at the Ravens history with the franchise tag