The Baltimore Ravens' offensive line is full of questions this season. One of the most significant is whether left tacke Ronnie Stanley can return to form.
Stanley, a 2019 All-Pro, has been hampered by injuries the last few seasons and seen a decline in his play.
As a result, Stanley restructured his contract with the Ravens this past offseason, essentially taking a 50% pay cut to remain with the team. He has a cap hit for $17 million this season, according to Spotrac.
As a result, ESPN's Jamison Hensley says Stanley is on the "hot seat" as he enters "the most pivotal season of his nine-year career."
Hensley writes:
"If Stanley can rebound anywhere close to his 2019 All-Pro form, he could set himself up for another big contract, possibly with Baltimore. If he continues to perform below expectations, Stanley will enter free agency in 2025 as a major question mark."
Stanley said during the offseason that he was the healthiest he'd been in years.
While Stanley has been practicing, he's yet to play in preseason, so it's been hard to gauge how he looks for real games.
Stanley is only one of two returning starters along the offensive line, so despite his up-and-down play and injuries, he offers the Ravens some stability along the line this season. The Ravens are auditioning players for the other starting tackle and guard spots this preseason.
If Stanley performs better than his last few seasons, it'll be a welcomed relief for Baltimore. However, if Stanley struggles, it will only add to the Ravens' uncertainty upfront.