Ronnie Stanley

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley will miss the remainder of the season after being carted off the field during Sunday's game with a "severe" ankle injury, head coach John Harbaugh announced after his team's 28-24 loss against the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coach Harbaugh announces Ronnie Stanley will miss the remainder of the season (ankle injury). pic.twitter.com/cvj9IxyrqE

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020

#Ravens All-Pro LT Ronnie Stanley, already declared out for the season, suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle that also likely includes torn ligaments, source said. He faces a long road to recovery, but should be back and ready by the 2021 season.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2020

According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, Stanley appeared to be in a great deal of pain, and medical personnel put an air cast on his ankle before carting him off.

After the game, Stanley commented on the injury via a post on his Twitter account:

So many emotions running thru my head. I’m thankful for all the love and support. I hate feeling like i let my brothers down. What I do know is God doesn’t make mistakes and I’m grateful for the bad days just as much as the good. Just another challenge to overcome. Truzzz 🙏🏾🧘🏾‍♂️🙏🏾

— Ronnie Stanley (@megatronnie) November 1, 2020

The 26-year-old is the anchor of Baltimore's offensive line, as he was named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro for the first time last season.

Stanley signed a five-year contract extension Friday worth $98.75 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

After Stanley was removed from Sunday's game, starting right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was moved to left tackle and veteran D.J. Fluker was inserted into the lineup at right tackle.

Although replacing a lineman of Stanley's caliber is nearly impossible, Brown was a Pro Bowler last season and Fluker has no shortage of starting experience.

The 29-year-old Fluker was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft by the then-San Diego Chargers, and he has since played for the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks and Ravens.

Fluker has starting experience at both tackle and guard, and he has started 89 of the 98 regular-season games he has appeared in during his career.

Stanley has been rock-solid at left tackle for the Ravens since they took him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Notre Dame, but durability has been an issue.

Entering this season, Stanley had never appeared in all 16 games in a season. He missed four contests as a rookie, one each in 2017 and 2018, and two games last season.

Stanley did not play in Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Washington Football Team this season either because of a shoulder injury.

With Stanley out, the Ravens will be without a player who protected the blindside of quarterback Lamar Jackson in his MVP-winning campaign of 2019.

The Baltimore Ravens announced Friday that they signed left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a five-year contract extension.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $98.75 million.

Per ESPN's Jamison Hensley, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta commented on locking down Stanley to a long-term extension: "Ronnie is the mainstay on our offensive line. He's a shutdown left tackle who excels on the field and in our community. This is just beginning for Ronnie, and we could not be happier for him and his family."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the deal could be worth as much as $112.866 million and includes $70.866 million in guaranteed money.

Baltimore used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft to take Stanley after he enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Notre Dame. The Ravens exercised the fifth-year option in Stanley's contract for 2020, but he could have become a free agent at the end of the season had Baltimore not re-signed him.

Albert Breer of The MMQB noted that each of the top six picks in that draft have now received a big second contract:

Top of the '16 NFL Draft did OK.

1) Rams QB Jared Goff: 4 yrs, $134M.
2) Eagles QB Carson Wentz: 4 yrs, $128M.
3) Chargers DE Joey Bosa: 5 yrs, $135M.
4) Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott: 6 yrs, $90M.
5) Rams CB Jalen Ramsey: 5 yrs, $100M.
6) Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley: 5 yrs, $98.75M.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 30, 2020

ESPN's Field Yates pointed out how well the Ravens' first-round picks since 2016 have fared as well:

Ravens' 1st round picks since 2016:
* Ronnie Stanley: All Pro, $98.75M extension
* Marlon Humphrey: All-Pro, $97.5M extension
* Lamar Jackson: MVP
* Hayden Hurst (traded for pick that became RB JK Dobbins)
* Hollywood Brown: 8 TD in 20 games
* Patrick Queen: rookie tackle leader

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 30, 2020

Stanley has been a supremely reliable player for the Ravens during his five-year career. He has started each of the 61 regular-season games he has appeared in, including five games this season.

Nagging injuries have been a bit of an issue for Stanley, as he missed four games during his rookie season, one game each in 2017 and 2018, two games last season and one game so far this season.

The Las Vegas native did not play in Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Washington Football Team because of a shoulder injury.

The 26-year-old was rewarded for his excellence last season with the first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods of his career.

In addition to serving as the blindside protector for quarterback Lamar Jackson in his MVP-winning campaign in 2019, Stanley helped pave the way for a Baltimore rushing attack that led the NFL with 206 rushing yards per game.

This season, the Ravens are 5-1 and battling with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns to win their third consecutive AFC North title.

Stanley will be in the lineup Sunday with a new contract in tow when the Ravens host the undefeated Steelers in one of the biggest games of the season thus far.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a five-year contract extension with 2019 All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey on Thursday.

Locked down. @marlon_humphrey has signed a five-year contract extension (through 2026). pic.twitter.com/xn0MfVdi4s

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2020

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the contract is worth $98.75 million. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that the contract includes $66 million in guaranteed money.

Humphrey's previous deal had been set to expire after the 2021 season. He's earning $2.1 million in 2020, and the Ravens picked up his 2021 option.

"It's great to know for the next years, you're going to be a Raven. I've really enjoyed this organization, it was really big for me to stay a Raven." @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/LpgDgMJ1cf

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2020

"I said some subtle jokes to guys yesterday, they thought I was kidding." @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/58q8S7IQbc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2020

"Being the highest paid wasn't a factor. The biggest thing was staying a Raven." @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/H1UuQ4jsxf

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2020

"Judon ordered a pizza on my card in Houston and my dad was calling me. He's always on my financials!" @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/CLAVO3kJlc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2020

General manager Eric DeCosta told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in February that Baltimore was discussing new contracts with representatives for Humphrey and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, the latter of whom is due to hit free agency in 2021.

"We've also talked to Marlon Humphrey a little bit, (his agent) Joel Segal, great agent," DeCosta said, per Ravens beat writer John Eisenberg. "We want to try and keep our elite young players. We think Ronnie and Marlon and are two of those guys."

Baltimore selected Humphrey with the 16th overall pick in the 2017 draft, but the presence of Jimmy Smith partially prevented him from becoming a full-time starter until 2019. He responded by finishing the season with 65 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

The season he became Pro Bowl Marlo❗️@marlon_humphrey's 2019 season highlights❗️ pic.twitter.com/M1WyXzK7ZW

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 23, 2020

Humphrey was one of four Ravens defenders—including three in the secondary—to be named as a Pro Bowler. The unit allowed the sixth-fewest yards per game (207.2) and tied for the second-fewest touchdowns allowed (15).

So far this season, Humphrey has 14 tackles, four passes defended and one interception.

Heading into the 2020 season, Pro Football Focus' Ben Linsey ranked Humphrey as the 18th-best player in the NFL under the age of 25:

"The Ravens have one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL, and Humphrey has been a big part of that group. Humphrey has been a playmaker regardless of where he has lined up, notching 47 forced incompletions over the last three seasons (fourth in the NFL behind Stephon Gilmore, Darius Slay and Kyle Fuller). Don't expect that to change on a defense that should only get better in 2020."

Baltimore could've waited to hammer out an extension, as he was under team control for two years and could have been franchise-tagged for the 2022 season. However, finalizing his contract provides a few benefits to the Ravens.

For one, they might save money in the long run. The cost of a new deal is probably cheaper now than it would've been down the road, especially if Humphrey had reached the point where he could test the open market.

The franchise also has a better idea of its future salary-cap commitments with an eye toward Lamar Jackson's inevitable extension. He can become a free agent in 2023, and barring an unforeseen catastrophe, the Ravens will either have something long term done by then or kick the can down the road with the franchise tag.

Securing Humphrey's future removes what would've been a variable the Ravens had to consider when calculating the consequences of Jackson's pay raise.

The Baltimore Ravens exercised their fifth-year option on left tackle Ronnie Stanley in April 2019, which extended his rookie contract beyond its fourth and final guaranteed year that would have ended following last season. 

Per Spotrac, Stanley is due $12.866 million in 2020 as a result.

The 26-year-old doesn't want to settle once he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2021, but he also isn't consumed with his next deal.

"I definitely want to get paid my value and what I feel I'm worth," Stanley told reporters Wednesday. "That part of it is important. But, at the end of the day, I don't think money is the most important thing to me."

Stanley also discussed a timetable for a possible extension with Baltimore:

Ronnie Stanley said he's comfortable where his agent and the team is in regards to contract extension. Said the conversations have been going on for few years now and when the time comes, it will come.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 27, 2020

Asked about the timing of a contract extension, Ronnie Stanley said, "I'm in no rush. I'm not really worried about it."

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 27, 2020

ESPN's Jamison Hensley added:

"The expectation is that Stanley will become the NFL's highest-paid lineman and surpass Houston's Laremy Tunsil, who significantly changed the market value for left tackles a month ago by signing a three-year, $66 million extension. His $22 million average per season was $4 million more annually than the previously highest-paid offensive tackle, Lane Johnson of Philadelphia."

The Ravens selected Stanley sixth overall out of Notre Dame in the 2016 NFL draft.

Stanley earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time last season, becoming the first Raven to do so since Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden in 2003 (h/t Hensley):

AP All-Pro First team has been released 💥

OFFENSE

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: CMC
Flex: CMC
TE: George Kittle
WR: Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins
LT: Ronnie Stanley
RT: Ryan Ramczyk
LG: Quenton Nelson
RG: Zack Martin
Center: Jason Kelce pic.twitter.com/3PzbvA4x3C

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 3, 2020

Fewest pressures allowed by OT in a single season since 2006

1. Ronnie Stanley, 2019 - 6
2. Jonathan Ogden, 2006 - 8
3. Andrew Whitworth, 2014 - 9
4. Willie Anderson, 2006 - 11 pic.twitter.com/QbLItMxf0N

— PFF (@PFF) May 5, 2020

Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta discussed Stanley's ongoing negotiations at February's annual scouting combine.

"We've talked quite a bit," DeCosta said, per the team's official website. "We'll meet again this week. Love Ronnie, played his butt off this year, All-Pro left tackle. Excited about that, excited about his future, excited about the player and excited about the person. We'll try to continue to have those dialogues as well."

The Ravens were the top-ranked rushing team while quarterback and league MVP Lamar Jackson was sacked 23 times in 2019.

The Baltimore Ravens have discussed long-term extensions with linebacker Matthew Judon and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters Wednesday.

DeCosta referenced the ongoing conversations when talking about how the Ravens could create salary-cap space ahead of the 2020 season.

DeCosta said team has two ways of creating cap room: Long-term deal with Matthew Judon and Long-term deal with Ronnie Stanley. "We've had dialogue with both agents. We haven't been able to get a deal done."

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 6, 2020

Stanley is in the final year of his rookie contract and will earn almost $12.9 million. The Ravens placed the franchise tag on Judon, which nets him $15.8 million.

At the time of the move, Judon indicated he preferred a multiyear contract but accepted the step Baltimore took.

"I'd rather have a long-term deal for stability," he said to ESPN's Josina Anderson. "It is what it is. I feel like this is what many of us go through that are facing free agency. At the end of the day, I know I'm playing football next season."

Judon reached his first Pro Bowl in 2019, while Stanley was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro. The cost to re-sign one or both will be steep but could provide short-term relief for the Ravens if they bargained down their 2020 cap hits in return for more long-term money.

Baltimore doesn't desperately need to lower its cap situation. The team has $10.2 million to spend, per Over the Cap, and nearly all of the notable free agents have found new homes.

Getting Judon and/or Stanley locked down now would help the Ravens avoid a possible bidding war next offseason. Of the two, Stanley will probably get a higher priority given both his performance last year and general importance of his position.

The 26-year-old was named Pro Football Focus' Pass-Blocker of the Year, and PFF's Ben Linsey ranked him as the ninth-best player in the 2021 free-agent class.

Lamar Jackson struggled for a large portion of his first NFL playoff game, a 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, to the point that Baltimore fans booed him during the game.

And those boos didn't sit well with his teammates, as offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley told ESPN's Jamison Hensley on Monday:

"It definitely did bother me. As a football player, an athlete, a competitor, [we] sacrifice our whole lives to be in this position. We love our fans and everything they've done for us, but there are going to be good times and there are going to be bad times, and we expect your support in all of those times. If you're not going to support us, then you've really got to question yourself on that one."

Running back Kenneth Dixon concurred:

You either with us or against us real spill. I’m ten toes behind @Lj_era8. Keep ya boo’s( plain disrespectful) that man gave us life

— not Kenneth x (@_BONEHEAD_tez_) January 7, 2019

Jackson, 21, finished his first playoff game 14-of-29 through the air for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, though he completed just 48.3 percent of his passes and most of his production came on the team's last two touchdown drives.

As Hensley noted, Jackson had just three completions for 25 yards midway through the fourth quarter and the Ravens trailed 23-3, before leading the team on 75- and 80-yard touchdown drives to make things interesting.

It was too little, too late, however, and Jackson himself seemed to understand the backlash.