The Baltimore Ravens did franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson a solid two days before 2025 NFL free agency by overcoming their doubts about paying $20 million per year to All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
Jackson’s blindside protector will get his new deal after agreeing a three-year $60 million contract with $44 million in guaranteed money, on Saturday, March 8, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
The Ravens and Ronnie Stanley are in agreement on a three-year, $60 million extension with $44 million guaranteed at signing, per source.
Kim Miale of Roc Nation negotiated the deal.
Baltimore takes one of the top pending free agents off the board and keeps their own.
It’s a bold move by a Ravens team with limited salary cap space, but general manager Eric DeCosta has moved quickly to secure a bluechip asset. Stanley returned to his best during a rare injury-free campaign in 2024, playing himself into position to earn a big payday.
The Ravens were reluctant to pay up, at least to the tune of $20 million annually, per Russini’s colleague Jeff Zrebiec. He noted DeCosta ultimately made the decision “two days before he would have started to field offers in a market that was expected to yield plenty of suitors.”
DeCosta was right to cave because Stanley would surely have been the subject of an increasingly expensive bidding war on the open market. He plays arguably the second-most important position in football, status not in dispute in Baltimore, where the primary focus is protecting Jackson.
Securing Stanley’s future means the Ravens can concentrate remaining resources on further strengthening the line in front of their elite, dual-threat signal-caller. This can now be done by targeting more cost-effective positions like left guard, where teammate Patrick Mekari is still a free agent and somebody the Ravens have been repeatedly urged to replace during free agency.
Ronnie Stanley Indispensable to Ravens
There’s an obvious reason why DeCosta stole a march on the market, despite having less-than-ideal cap space. The simple truth is Stanley’s indispensable to the Ravens as a lockdown pass-protector and athletic mauler in the running game.
He showcased the full range of his skill-set through 17 starts last season. It was the first time in his career the sixth player taken in the 2016 NFL draft started every game, and the results were impressive.
Stanley allowed just two sacks and four QB hits across 575 pass block snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The same site also had the 30-year-old ranked second for run blocking.
Jackson’s a better quarterback and the Ravens are a better overall offense when Stanley is in the lineup. DeCosta has made sure that dynamic will continue for another few years, crucial years for a Super Bowl window in danger of slamming shut with no reward in view.
The Ravens can keep the window open for longer by beefing up other areas of the line next to Stanley.
Ravens Have Decision to Make About Ronnie Stanley Teammate
Mekari remains on schedule to hit the market, but the Ravens have already seen one potential Super Bowl-level replacement get away. It means DeCosta will likely have to turn to this year’s draft class for help along the interior of the offensive line, where questions linger about both Mekari and right guard Daniel Faalele.
At least the Ravens won’t have to use first-round draft capital for the O-line. Not after keeping Stanley in town.
There isn’t a natural guard likely to still be on the board when DeCosta makes his first pick at 27th overall, but the Ravens know how to find value outside Round 1 better than most teams.
