Ravens Cuts? Gus Edwards, Chuck Clark Top Potential Salary-Cap Casualties
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As the Ravens continue their complicated contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson, general manager Eric DeCosta could create more money for the free-agent market by parting ways with several veterans.
For now, DeCosta does not have to make any dramatic moves because the Ravens have $24.2 million in salary cap space, which ranks in the top third of the NFL.
However, if Baltimore placed the exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, it will cost them $45 million next season and then DeCosta will have to be more creative creating some financial flexibility
Safety Chuck Clark appears to be the most viable salary cap cut. The Ravens signed Marcus Williams prior to last season and drafted Kyle Hamilton in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Even though Clark played well last season, he has become expendable and his release would save the team $3.64 million in cap space.
"Chuck had a phenomenal season, and we haven’t made any decisions about any players right now," DeCosta said. "We’ll make those decisions later on. Chuck has proven to be an outstanding safety in this league. He has been probably one of the most consistent guys we’ve had."
Another potential casualty is running back Gus Edwards, who is in the final year of his deal and would provide a cap savings of $4.4 million by being released. Edwards missed the 2021 season with a knee injury and was limited to nine games last year. He is a solid downhill runner but J.K. Dobbins is the starter and the team might be able to find a cheaper option elsewhere, perhaps by re-singing Kenyan Drake.
Another player with an uncertain future in Baltimore is defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who was signed as a free agent last year but appeared in three games after tearing his biceps. Rookie Travis Jones stepped in for Pierce and played well enough to get more starts next season. The Ravens would save $2.1 million but releasing Pierce and that scenario is likely on the table.
Defensive end Calais Campbell said he wants to play another season, but he could also become part of a roster crunch.
DeCosta said: “We’re always looking at: How can we get better? How can we build the best roster? Understanding that the salary cap is a real constraint. And so we’ve got to do what we think is best for the club,” DeCosta said.
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