Ravens agree to a new contract with Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley before free agency begins

Ronnie Stanley is returning to the Baltimore Ravens after the team announced a new deal with the veteran left tackle
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Ronnie Stanley is returning to the Baltimore Ravens after the team announced a new deal with the veteran left tackle Saturday.

The Ravens did not announce contract terms, but the move takes one of the top offensive linemen off the market before the start of free agency next week. Stanley made the Pro Bowl last season. He has played nine years in the NFL, all with Baltimore.

Last season was Stanley's first without missing a game. He appeared in only seven games in two seasons from 2020-21 because of ankle problems and struggled to regain the form that made him an All-Pro in 2019. But in 2024, he was a solid part of an offensive line that helped Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry excel.

The Ravens lost three starters on their offensive line last offseason, but they're on track to make it through this one with significantly less turnover. Patrick Mekari is a free agent, but locking in Stanley means Baltimore doesn't need to replace the most important pass blocker on the line.

Although the Ravens may not have enough room under the salary cap to make major additions, this move paves the way for them to return a similar roster to the one that won the AFC North last season.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl