The Baltimore Ravens have a shaky situation to deal with regarding their offensive line heading to next season. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. expressed his desire to be traded from the Ravens and will only suit up for a team that will allow him to play at the left tackle position, via NFL‘s Ian Rapoport.
On Orlando Brown: The #Ravens have Ronnie Stanley coming back at LT, but they value Orlando Brown significantly. Would need major compensation to deal him. But with the focus so intensely on QBs, the guys who protect them are just as valuable. https://t.co/P1Esi7R5ar
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2021
Brown spent the second half of the season filling in the void at left tackle left by Ronnie Stanley who sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the abrupt shift to the position, the Oklahoma product managed to thrive in the role given to him by head coach John Harbaugh.
However, Stanley is already expected by the team to be back on the field prior to the start of the 2021 NFL season. His return will force Brown to slide back to his original position at right tackle, which isn't in accordance to his liking.
Stanley previously inked a five-year, $98.8 million contract extension back in October of 2020 which implies that he will be a key part of the team's core moving forward. On the other hand, Brown is coming off his second straight Pro Bowl campaign in just his third season in the league. Despite his stellar performance on the field, he still won't possess significant leverage in contract talks as he is only heading to the final year of his rookie contract.
Brown's frustrations with the team could eventually lead him to not sign a contract extension once he becomes an unrestricted free agent by the end of the 2021 season. On the flip side, the Ravens can still use the franchise tag in order to retain him at the helm come 2022. In addition, the Ravens liked Brown so much so that they would only be willing to move him in exchange of a ‘major haul' comprised of multiple assets.
The Ravens should find a way to fix their offensive line in the offseason in order to fully maximize the potential and effectiveness of quarterback Lamar Jackson moving forward.
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