The Ravens have an offseason with several difficult decisions as they have 23 unrestricted free agents and just $16.63M in cap space, according to Over the Cap.
However, general manager Eric DeCosta revealed that getting a deal done with defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is at the top of Baltimore’s list.
“Well, we’re trying to get a deal done. We’ve had discussions with Justin,” DeCosta told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He’s a guy that’s obviously put himself in a fortuitous position by the way that he played, had a great season for us. He’s a valued player on the team and we’re hopeful we can get a long-term deal done.”
Madubuike is coming off a breakout season where he had a career-high 56 tackles, 13 sacks and two forced fumbles.
DeCosta is right that it came at the perfect time for Madubuike, whose rookie deal expired following the 2023 season.
The 26-year-old is expected to receive a four-year, $81.28 million contract ($20.3M per year) this offseason, per Spotrac.
The Ravens do benefit from the NFL raising the salary cap by an unprecedented $30 million, but Madubuike did hint that he isn’t interested in taking a hometown discount at the end of the season.
“In terms of Baltimore, man, that’s home,” Madubuike said, via Kevin Eck of the team’s website. “But, you know, business is business, and that side is going to take care of itself.”
If the two sides are unable to agree on a new deal, DeCosta did say the team would likely franchise tag Madubuike. That would still be a nice payday for the No. 71 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft as it is worth $22.1M.
However, players are rarely interested in playing on one-year deals. So, Baltimore’s goal is to beat the March 5 tag deadline and get a deal done with its rising star defender.
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