Pundit: It’s a priority to extend Justin Madubuike, but a franchise tag may be inevitable.
There has been much conjecture regarding the Ravens using the franchise tag on Justin Madubuike; however, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, it would be more prudent for the team to sign the All-Pro defensive tackle to a longer contract.
“The expected cost of a franchise tag for defensive linemen in the interior is $20.9 million. It would be difficult for the Ravens to add additional significant players to their roster this offseason without making some significant cuts if they had to fit that amount under their salary cap, according to Zrebiec. “That’s the bind Baltimore finds itself in and why hammering out a long-term agreement, with a more team-friendly 2024 salary-cap number, should be General Manager Eric DeCosta’s priority until March 5 (the deadline to use the tag).”
Last summer, Madubuike, 26, and the Ravens had discussions over a contract extension, but they were unable to come to a consensus. Pro Football Focus anticipated that Madubuike’s next deal would be worth an estimated $92 million ($23 million yearly) following his breakout 2023 season.
“Considering the long-term contracts they now have in place for players like Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith, the Ravens would find it challenging to make that commitment. But the alternative comes with even higher costs,” Zrebiec added. “If Madubuike is allowed to go free agency, he will probably go, creating a big void in the midst of a defense that is already expected to lose a number of important players this summer. Alternatively, he may play the season under the franchise tag, which would likely not sit well with Madubuike. Additionally, the estimated $21 million cost would make it very difficult for DeCosta and the team’s other decision-makers to assemble a strong roster capable of winning a Super Bowl.
“An extension is seemingly the preference for both sides, but unless DeCosta and company can work quickly and get things done within the next two weeks, the franchise tag might be inevitable.”
Regarding the wide receivers for the Ravens, the biggest question is Rashod Bateman’s future.The Ravens made improving the wide receivers room their first focus throughout the summer, and their selections in the draft and free agency helped to greatly enhance the passing game.
Building on such accomplishments is the aim for the position this summer.
“Lamar Jackson won his second MVP while demonstrating improvement in a new offense with improved weapons. Baltimore needs to maintain that momentum by making sure the passing game has an adequate number of playmakers “In his analysis of the wide receiver situations for all 32 teams, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra said.
Apart from Zay Flowers, who broke rookie records for the team this past season with 77 catches and 858 yards, the top receivers with contracts are Tylan Wallace, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor.
Bateman is going into a pivotal season after playing a full season for the first time in his three-year career in 2023.
“The question milling around Owings Mills is whether Baltimore exercises Bateman’s fifth-year option for 2025 at roughly $13.78 million,” Patra stated. “That number is high for a wide receiver who has never surpassed 600 yards in a season, but the former first-round pick suddenly showed life late in the campaign. But by declining, will the Ravens want to create a huge need at the position next offseason? The outcome may depend on how free agency is exercised.”
