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Baltimore's 2026 NFL offseason is underway, and the Ravens' focus will shift to reshaping the roster and getting quarterback Lamar Jackson to the next level as a passer. One big move will be to restructure Jackson's deal, or sign him to a new, lucrative contract extension.
The restructuring could mirror what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday.
The Chiefs converted $54.45 million of Mahomes' 2026 salary into a signing bonus to create some much-needed cap room. The move lowered Mahomes' salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for 2026, opening up $43.56 million in cap room for Kansas City. This will be the fourth straight year that the Chiefs have restructured Mahomes' contract to improve their salary cap situation.
With the legal tampering period just 18 days away, we're looking at five moves the Ravens can make to create million more in salary cap space via Over The Cap.
Space created: $40,560,000
After a near-MVP season in 2024, Jackson was battered and missed four games, going 192-302 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 2,549 yards (196.1 per game), 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating.
Space created: $38,025,000
Space created: $20,000,000
Dead cap hit: $12,718,750
Smith just finished a season where he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
Space created:$14,960,000
Dead cap hit: $0
Smith's team-high 130 tackles (74 solo) ranked 15th in the NFL and 7th in the AFC. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery.
Space created: $19,259,300
Dead cap hit: $7,016,700
Humphrey had the biggest regression, going from an All-Pro season in 2024 to one of the lowest graded players at his position.
Space created: $4,010,000
Dead cap hit: $1,850,000
A key piece of Baltimore's defensive front for the past six seasons, Washington has four tackles and one start this season before being placed on Injured Reserve after ankle surgery. Releasing Washington with a post-June 1 designation would save the Ravens $4,010,000, with $1,850,000 in dead salary cap space.
Space created: $3,605,000
Dead cap: $25,528
Baltimore's offensive guards finished the season with a cumulative 52.1 PFF run-blocking grade, which ranked only 27th in the NFL.
Signing Jackson and Smith to extensions, along with releasing Marlon Humphrey, Andrew Vorhees, and Broderick Washington, would create $80+ million salary cap space.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens salary cap analysis: Five moves that could create $80M in space
Continue reading...
The restructuring could mirror what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday.
The Chiefs converted $54.45 million of Mahomes' 2026 salary into a signing bonus to create some much-needed cap room. The move lowered Mahomes' salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for 2026, opening up $43.56 million in cap room for Kansas City. This will be the fourth straight year that the Chiefs have restructured Mahomes' contract to improve their salary cap situation.
With the legal tampering period just 18 days away, we're looking at five moves the Ravens can make to create million more in salary cap space via Over The Cap.
Extend Lamar Jackson
Space created: $40,560,000
After a near-MVP season in 2024, Jackson was battered and missed four games, going 192-302 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 2,549 yards (196.1 per game), 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating.
Restructure Lamar Jackson
Space created: $38,025,000
Cut Roquan Smith
Space created: $20,000,000
Dead cap hit: $12,718,750
Smith just finished a season where he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
Sign Roquan Smith to an extension
Space created:$14,960,000
Dead cap hit: $0
Smith's team-high 130 tackles (74 solo) ranked 15th in the NFL and 7th in the AFC. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery.
Release Marlon Humphrey Post June 1
Space created: $19,259,300
Dead cap hit: $7,016,700
Humphrey had the biggest regression, going from an All-Pro season in 2024 to one of the lowest graded players at his position.
Release Broderick Washington Post June 1
Space created: $4,010,000
Dead cap hit: $1,850,000
A key piece of Baltimore's defensive front for the past six seasons, Washington has four tackles and one start this season before being placed on Injured Reserve after ankle surgery. Releasing Washington with a post-June 1 designation would save the Ravens $4,010,000, with $1,850,000 in dead salary cap space.
Release Andrew Vorhees
Space created: $3,605,000
Dead cap: $25,528
Baltimore's offensive guards finished the season with a cumulative 52.1 PFF run-blocking grade, which ranked only 27th in the NFL.
Final analysis
Signing Jackson and Smith to extensions, along with releasing Marlon Humphrey, Andrew Vorhees, and Broderick Washington, would create $80+ million salary cap space.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens salary cap analysis: Five moves that could create $80M in space
Continue reading...
