Before the Baltimore Ravens can really figure out what they’re doing this offseason, they’ve got to come to a decision on outside linebacker Matthew Judon. That decision could come down to the franchise tag to help keep Judon in Baltimore for at least another year and provide a little more leverage in either getting a long-term deal done.
At the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Eric DeCosta said that the team has had productive talks about a long-term contract with Judon. That news provides a little hope that the Ravens might be able to avoid the franchise tag entirely and still keep Judon in purple and black.
Baltimore can first use the franchise tag on February 27 and have a final deadline of March 12. Using the franchise tag on Judon is expected to cost the Ravens $16.27 million for 2020, according to Over The Cap.
It would be in both Baltimore and Judon’s best interest to get a long-term deal worked out without the franchise tag. For the Ravens, they could better manage their salary cap by potentially keeping Judon at a lower cap hit in 2020, which would free up space to be more active in free agency. For Judon, a long-term deal would come with guaranteed money and a signing bonus, which he could get up front.
However, the Ravens are likely going to have to make any offer a competitive one. If Judon hits the free-agent market, he could see multiple teams show interest and have his value skyrocket in a bidding war, which Baltimore would have trouble matching.
