Ravens Will Explore Extending Derrick Henry, Re-Signing Ronnie Stanley

The Ravens’ front office is already back to work after their heartbreaking exit from the playoffs last weekend.

General manager Eric DeCosta is exploring an extension for Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year deal to come to Baltimore last offseason, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. With only $9MM in fully guaranteed money, most of which came in the first year, the contract was seen as a low-risk, high-upside maneuver by the Ravens with an easy out in 2025 if Henry faltered in his age-30 season.

Instead, his $8MM APY proved to be a steal. Henry proved offseason critics wrong with an age-defying debut year in Baltimore, leading all running backs with 16 rushing touchdowns and 5.9 yards per carry. He trailed only Saquon Barkley in total rushing attempts and rushing yards and would likely be seeking a commensurate raise in extension negotiations. The Ravens, meanwhile, would be looking to lower Henry’s $12.9MM 2025 cap hit while keeping him around for an additional season or two. An extension could save Baltimore up to $6.2MM against the 2025 cap, per OverTheCap.

DeCosta also addressed the pending free agency of left tackle Ronnie Stanley (via Zrebiec), who played a full season in 2024 for the first time in his career. The Ravens will explore a new contract for Stanley, who has never returned to the rarified level of play he displayed before his devastating 2020 ankle injury. However, after a long road back with multiple surgeries and other minor injuries, he has provided a steady floor of blind side protection for Lamar Jackson.

His grading from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in 2024 reflects his solid, but not elite play. His 80.9 pass blocking grate ranks 15th among all starting tackles, but his 40 pressures allowed were the 12th-most. Like the rest of Baltimore’s blockers, he benefits from Jackson’s exceptional sack avoidance; Stanley surrendered just two on the season.

But the Ravens know that even serviceable left tackle play is difficult to come by, which is why they consistently stood by Stanley after his injury. He also took a pay cut before the 2024 season and earned back much of the money via incentives. Now, he will likely be seeking an APY in the $20MM range, similar to deals signed by Dion Dawkins, Taylor Decker, and Garett Bolles in the last year.

DeCosta also mentioned offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, who entered the season at right tackle but ended up starting most games at left guard. Mekari is also hitting free agency, where his five-position versatility could draw plenty of interest, especially now that he’s proven himself as a potential starter at guard. The Ravens love Mekari, an undrafted free agent signing back in 2019 who has played a crucial role in filling the void left by injuries to Stanley and others along the offensive line over the last several years. But he could easily price himself out of Baltimore with starting-level money from another team. It’s unlikely the team would be able to afford both Stanley and Mekari this offseason, but they will likely need to keep one to ensure Jackson’s blind side is covered next year.

The Ravens seem more prepared for the departure of cornerback Brandon Stephens. DeCosta said that he expects Stephens to enter free agency in March, indicating that the team won’t pursue re-signing him before then, according to Zrebiec. Stephens emerged as a starting outside corner in 2023, but took a step back this past year, especially when defending the deep ball. 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins is a clear starter for next year, but with Marlon Humphrey excelling in the slot, the Ravens will need to find another starting boundary corner in 2025.