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Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens aren’t about to let Justin Madubuike cash in after a breakout season. Instead, the Ravens “probably will” use the franchise tag to keep the disruptive defensive tackle at M&T Bank Stadium.
DeCosta revealed his plans for Madubuike when speaking to reporters on Tuesday, February 27, ahead of the annual NFL Scouting Combine, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
As Hensley pointed out, tagging Madubuike will cost the Ravens a pretty penny if they can’t agree a lengthy contract before the deadline on Tuesday, March 5. DeCosta will likely deem the $22-plus million price tag worth it after Madubuike’s banner 2023 season when the D-lineman logged a team-leading 13 sacks.
Madubuike is approaching his prime, so the Ravens would be wise to keep him around for at least another year. Even though it’s likely to require DeCosta getting creative with only limited space under the salary cap.
Using the tag will also keep options open for both player and franchise. The Ravens could still tag and trade Madubuike, or use the additional time to work out a new, long-term deal with the 26-year-old first-time Pro Bowler.
Justin Madubuike Has Earned Bumper Payday
DeCosta admitted, “we’re trying to get a deal done. We’ve had discussions with Justin.”
Securing Madubuike’s future for the long haul represents the best-case scenario for the Ravens. It won’t be easy when Spotrac.com projects the franchise to have $16,466,944 worth of cap space.
That’s enough for the tag, but not much else. Knowing that, Madubuike could be tempted to test the market and gauge offers after his breakout performances.
He was dominant in a lot of ways on a weekly basis. Like when No. 92 wrecked the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, with USA Today’s Doug Farrar crediting Madubuike with “a sack and six total pressures… from five different gaps.”
Versatility and consistency were hallmarks of Madubuike’s game. The latter trait helped him log “at least half a sack in 11 straight games, tying an NFL record,” per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
Madubuike is playing at an elite level and deserves to be paid accordingly. Utilizing the tag might be the only way for the cap-strapped Ravens to prevent another team offering Madubuike the lucrative terms he merits.
Eric DeCosta Has Multiple Issues to Fix
Keeping Madubuike in the fold isn’t the only issue facing DeCosta this offseason. He’ll also need to address a depleted running back rotation, with J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Melvin Gordon III and Dalvin Cook all pending free agents.
DeCosta was clear about adding reinforcements, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic: “We need more than two running backs..”
Fortunately, there are a plethora of proven runners in a loaded veteran class. There are solid, bargain options like AJ Dillon of the Green Bay Packers, as well as marquee names who could help Lamar Jackson, including former NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs.
The Ravens also need to fortify an offensive line set to be decimated in free agency. Guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson are both set to enter the market.
DeCosta said “we’re going to have probably some change on the offensive line in different ways,” per Hensley.
There’s a lot on DeCosta’s to-do list, but losing Madubuike would mark the wrong start to a pivotal offseason for the Ravens.
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