Baltimore Ravens Could Be Forced To Cut Star For Cap Purposes

After the Baltimore Ravens faced a disappointing end-of-season defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game, General Manager Eric DeCosta faces the formidable task of bolstering the team’s roster to enhance their championship prospects.

However, DeCosta finds himself constrained by the team’s current salary cap situation, necessitating some tough decisions regarding the roster.

One such suggestion comes from Glenn Erby, a writer for USA Today’s Ravens Wire, proposing the possibility of the Ravens executing a “Post June 1 Cut” on Marlon Humphrey, the talented cornerback.

Despite Humphrey being just 28 years old for the upcoming season, contemplating his release might seem drastic. Nonetheless, Erby highlights the potential financial benefits: by releasing Humphrey post-June 1, the Ravens stand to save a significant $11.75 million in cap space, while incurring a dead cap hit of $11.12 million.

This strategic move would substantially augment the Ravens’ current cap space, which presently stands at $7.3 million, as reported by OverTheCap. It’s worth noting that Humphrey currently holds the third-highest cap hit on the team, as per Spotrac.

While DeCosta could explore the option of renegotiating Humphrey’s contract, it’s essential to recognize that this might merely defer the issue.

Nevertheless, such renegotiations could furnish the Ravens with vital flexibility during the upcoming free agency period, potentially facilitating additional moves to strengthen the team.