The New England Patriots won’t be able to sign their top left tackle target in free agency. Ronnie Stanley, who the team was expected to go hard after should he enter the open market, has decided to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens.
Stanley and the Ravens reached an agreement on a three-year, $60 million deal that includes $44 million in guarantees, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Stanley, who will turn 31 later this month, was arguably the top offensive tackle set to enter free agency this year. The Patriots would have been a natural landing spot given that they have a massive need at both their tackle spots but also are leading the NFL with over $130 million in salary cap space.
They would have been able to match any offer and give Stanley a similar if not financially preferable contract. Nonetheless, he has decided to not explore the market — at least officially — and instead re-up with the team that made him a first-round draft pick in 2016.
With Stanley off the board, the Patriots are forced to adjust their free agency board. The belief is that the Minnesota Vikings’ Cam Robinson and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Dan Moore Jr. are their next best options to bolster their offensive tackle depth.
At the moment, New England has four pure tackles under contract for 2025: last year’s starters Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs are joined by backups Caedan Wallace and Caleb Jones. Tackle/guard hybrids Sidy Sow and Michael Onwenu are also part of the conversation, at least on paper.
The NFL’s free agency period is set to begin on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, with the so-called legal tampering period starting on Monday at noon.