OTL: Is the Price Right?

As free agency rolls along, there’s a tendency from fans to hyper-focus on the players being signed or extended, or those still available, while ignoring an equally important part of the equation: their contracts. Talent on a roster is only going to take a team so far, and the business side of football is often what separates perennially successful teams from teams mired in mediocrity or operating beneath the dark, looming cloud of the salary cap dropping on their heads in full effect. Today, let’s talk about some in-house news from the Ravens, some news about contracts that are going to affect the way the Ravens face off against the division, and a contract that could materialize with a player that are still available.

The #Ravens and QB Cooper Rush have agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $12.2 million, per me and @RapSheet.

Deal negotiated by @EquitySports CEO Chris Cabott. After eight years in Dallas — and a 9-5 record as starter — Rush now will back up Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/ZEN67IML7z

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2025

First up on the docket is the Cooper Rush signing, an acquisition that the Ravens hope will give them more of a viable solution at backup QB. It’s a position you hope you never have to use, but ultimately one that you need to have at the ready just in case, so the Flock begrudgingly realized it was necessary. That said, a lot of fans stopped reading when they saw $12.2 million and lost their minds. Luckily, a breakdown of the contract’s structure followed, and hopefully it saved a lot of people from their meltdowns.

Ravens agreement with Rush is a 2-yr, $6.2 million deal.
It’s maximum value is $12.2 million based on a number of incentives including playing time, starts, wins.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 16, 2025

Baltimore isn’t in a position to throw around huge sums right now given the contracts they have on the books, but it’s nice to see them keep home-grown talent on the roster, and they’ve been able to do that recently on deals that have looked good relative to the market.

Staying a Raven pic.twitter.com/ovTilaxkl5

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 17, 2025

Ronnie Stanley: “My decision to come back, the players for sure had the biggest role in that. The locker room and the type of players that we have, including Lamar [Jackson].

“I was talking to Lamar a lot, but not about contracts. Me and Lamar, we talk all the time. … When he… pic.twitter.com/u0MAU0oQeU

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) March 17, 2025

Now, there was another team in the division that was able to keep some guys in town that were home-grown talents, but their deals set the market rather than undershooting it.

BREAKING: The #Bengals have agreed to a 4-year, $161M extension with WR Ja’Marr Chase and a 4-year, $115M extension with WR Tee Higgins, per @Schultz_Report.

Chase is the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, while Higgins becomes the highest-paid WR2. pic.twitter.com/1G5vFa6Ait

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 17, 2025

I’ll preface this by saying I understand why Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got paid what they did. They’re both exceptionally talented wide receivers, and to have them locked down as future targets for Joe Burrow ensures that at least one facet of the Bengals offense will have the continuity to carry over for years. That said, allocating well over a third of your active cap to three players whose combined AAVs account for more than what you’re paying your entire defense is… a choice. It isn’t unprecedented, as the Colts did something similar during the era that Peyton Manning had Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison, but it certainly represents a gamble, and one that’s only seemed to pay off with this personnel unit once in their longevity toward the postseason.

Speaking of structuring your team for longevity and paying your defense, there are still some players left out there that could help the Ravens given the needs that remain on their roster, and Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report identified Safety Julian Blackmon, who most recently played for the Colts, as a potential addition to the Ravens secondary.

The Ravens would also be a strong fit for Blackmon, who could rotate with Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington at safety and in sub packages. Baltimore has regularly utilized a three-safety rotation and recently dumped Marcus Williams from its roster.

It’s an intriguing pairing, and one where the price could be right. Blackmon’s cap hit last season on a one-year deal was only $3.89 million, and the Draft class is a little top-heavy for guys who appear to be day one starters at Safety. Meanwhile, Blackmon’s experience as a converted CB gives him the versatility that this defensive staff likes in a defensive back, and the price point doesn’t prevent the Ravens from pursuing other targets or even doubling down in the draft.

As the next few weeks roll on toward the Draft, it can be enticing to want to pursue the big-name option, but always remember to channel your inner Bob Barker and ask yourself if the price is right.

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