Why Ravens’ Free-Agent Departures Weren’t Just About Money
No team had more departures in free agency than the Ravens, and while losing players always stings, it’s a testament to the organization’s ability to draft and develop players that other teams covet.
DeCosta said last week that there were certain players the Ravens didn’t want to lose, but they were not going to get into bidding wars.
“You have a threshold that you get to, that you want to get to, and typically we try to be fairly responsible when it comes to that, and we have to make tough calls,” DeCosta said.
Walker said being fiscally responsible likely wasn’t the only factor.
“Some of the Ravens’ choices probably reflect Head Coach Jesse Minter and his staff’s talent assessments,” Walker wrote. “Perhaps new Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle did not see a place for a bruising fullback, even though Patrick Ricard has been essential to the Ravens’ ground-and-pound juggernaut over the last seven seasons. Perhaps Doyle wanted a more versatile back than speedy Keaton Mitchell, whom the Ravens probably could have kept with a modest tender offer.
“Some of these talent losses might not make sense at the moment, but we have to give Minter and Co. room to customize the roster to their vision.”