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Ravens franchise tag Justin Madubuike, still hopeful on long-term deal
The Baltimore Ravens used their franchise tag on star defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, keeping him from hitting the open market as a free agent.Both sides will continue to negotiate in hopes of a long-term deal, but for now, Madubuike will be a Raven for at least the upcoming season, barring a trade. The franchise tag would pay him $22 million and would count fully against the salary cap. The Ravens still have time to work on a long-term deal that would appease both sides."We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag. Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said.A deal would need to be finished by July when the deadline to sign a franchise tender occurs. If the two sides cannot agree to a deal, Madubuike would most likely sign the one-year deal rather than hold out. It will probably take a deal around four years, $100 million, to get him to sign. That would make him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have a history of signing the players that they franchise tag, going back to last season with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The negotiations with Madubuike should be less complicated than they were with Jackson, but they could last until the July deadline. The Ravens have only failed to come to terms on a long-term deal with a franchise-tagged player twice. First in 2003 with cornerback Chris McAlister and in 2020 with linebacker Mathew Judon.DeCosta knows the best option is to come to terms on a long-term contract to give him the most flexibility this offseason, but several factors may have to come into play. There could be some cap casualty cuts or restructured contracts to create the cap space to sign Madubuike. The club made the message clear that retaining Madubuike is the priority this offseason.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. —
The Baltimore Ravens used their franchise tag on star defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, keeping him from hitting the open market as a free agent.
Both sides will continue to negotiate in hopes of a long-term deal, but for now, Madubuike will be a Raven for at least the upcoming season, barring a trade. The franchise tag would pay him $22 million and would count fully against the salary cap. The Ravens still have time to work on a long-term deal that would appease both sides.
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"We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag. Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said.
A deal would need to be finished by July when the deadline to sign a franchise tender occurs. If the two sides cannot agree to a deal, Madubuike would most likely sign the one-year deal rather than hold out. It will probably take a deal around four years, $100 million, to get him to sign. That would make him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.
The Ravens have a history of signing the players that they franchise tag, going back to last season with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The negotiations with Madubuike should be less complicated than they were with Jackson, but they could last until the July deadline. The Ravens have only failed to come to terms on a long-term deal with a franchise-tagged player twice. First in 2003 with cornerback Chris McAlister and in 2020 with linebacker Mathew Judon.
DeCosta knows the best option is to come to terms on a long-term contract to give him the most flexibility this offseason, but several factors may have to come into play. There could be some cap casualty cuts or restructured contracts to create the cap space to sign Madubuike. The club made the message clear that retaining Madubuike is the priority this offseason.
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