Getty ImagesRavens outside linebacker Paul Kruger had an outstanding postseason, potentially earning himself a lot of money in free agency. Kruger is hoping that money comes from the Ravens, but he realizes that might not be realistic.
In an interview with Trey Wingo on NFL Live, Kruger said that in a perfect world, he’d sign a long-term contract with the Ravens, rather than leaving as an unrestricted free agent.
“I’d love to stay in Baltimore. It’s a great place to play in every aspect. The organization, the facilities, the teammates,” Kruger said. “It would be hard to leave, for sure.”
Realistically, however, it seems like it would be a stretch for the Ravens to afford to pay Kruger the kind of money he can probably expect to be offered elsewhere after having 9.0 sacks in the regular season and 4.5 sacks in the postseason. The Ravens have a whole lot of players counting a whole lot of money toward the salary cap even before they pay Joe Flacco, and Kruger might be one of the players the Ravens just decide they can’t afford to keep.
That’s especially true because in 2013, with Terrell Suggs (hopefully) healthy for a full season and 2012 second-round pick Courtney Upshaw having a full season under his belt, outside linebacker is not a position of need for the Ravens. Kruger seems to understand that he may have played his last game with the Ravens.
“It’s something I’ve thought about from time to time, even through the season — this is my last year,” Kruger said of his current contract. “I’ve thought about it, but to come out here and end this way with a Super Bowl win, play on that stage with these guys, it was a storybook ending for sure.”
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He’d be a better fit at DE in Big “D” than trying to convert Anthony Spencer to a 4-3 lineman….and probably cost a few less $$$ than the 10+ mil they would be paying.
His company could smooth the head off of the Ray Lewis Statue and call it Ichabod Crane.
That’s it, I’m out!
ay hello to your new home. it isnt a far drive north on I-95. Eagles fans are awaiting your arrival.
I like the way he plays. Very active and disruptive.
9 sacks is not bad…the 4.5 in playoffs – great overall number although some of that was against
fossil Peyton Manning and his annual “what the helll was THAT?!!!” in the playoffs.
Either way I like him alot and he will be a great FA pickup provided you don’t go $$ crazy on him.
You will love playing for the Eagles paul….horrible fans…lousy coach…and lots of losing for years to come.
Please come to Cleveland sir
Kruger is coming to Pitt to become our official locker opener and closer.
Paul is as good as gone. Upshaw is a a beast though and he’ll put his stamp on this defense next year. Keep hating haters
Unfortunately he can’t play middle linebacker. Unfortunately he took forever coming on. Guy gets pretty awesome before he leaves, but he’ll be leaving the Ravens having accomplished what he was drafted to help the Ravens achieve.
benroethlisberger7 – Pittsburgh doesn’t have enough cap space to hire an opener for their lockers.
Also, for all the trash talk you do on Ravens stories, what did your Steelers do in the playoffs this year? Right they didn’t go. What did they do last year? Right they got embarrassed by Tim Tebow…
BTW why are you enamored with a QB who rapes and assaults women?
I just don’t see it. The pass rusher money is pretty big right now in the NFL. He can get a lot more with another team and he’ll probably take it.
I hope he does very well and has a great career.
This is exactly the kind of player they should actually try hard to keep: young and productive. Why re-invest in aging veterans like Boldin and Reed or Leach? I’d love to have them all back but when push comes to shove would you rather have an up and coming DE for the next 4 to 5 years or overpay for someone who is good enough now but won’t be in 1 to 2 years?
I don’t mind Losing Kruger but we have to Keep Ellerbe.
Saints need ya
I think Indianapolis has this guy in his sites…and they got 40 million in cap space plus with Pagano there if Baltimore doesn’t pay these guys probably will.
Come to Seattle Paul. We’d love to have ya. You’d get to beat up on the 9ers twice a year.
Titans could use him! Great compliment to Kameron Wimbley!
he will sign with the Colts, we have around 40plus million in cap space this offeason
Welcome to Indy Paul. Can’t wait till you put on your brand new Colts uniform.
He had a good half season after doing nothing for 3 years. You guys can have him. Unless you have a Suggs type playing in front of him he won’t do anything.
For all the fans wanting their team to sign Paul, why don’t you take a look at the history of players that the Ravens let walk away.
Why not drop Suggs and sign Kruger. Suggs is great but injury prone and older.
dont forget its the ravens fault it took this long for him to prosper.
Seahawks will pay whatever he asks. And it will be money well spent.
I just love how this site is dominated by ravens news. The only important team. The World Champs!!!!
I would be satisfied w/either him or Ellerbe.
The Ravens team is crumbling as we speak. You see, even the “genius” Ozzy Newsome can’t perform miracles. All NFL teams go through it.
The only difference is that delusional Ratbird fans can’t see it.
Can’t get by the high pants. Stay in Baltimore
That’s the WORLD CHAMPION delusional Ratbird fans to you hoss.
Kruger would be a perfect fit in Jacksonville and I’m sure they would pay him what he wants. Khan isn’t like Weaver.
Once a Raven, always a Raven. Boldin thinks you should retire if they let you go.
he hopes for a call from hoodie
Let’s go Browns! Pay this man. Let’s steal an in conference gem.
Berniesboys, I hope not. This guy is a flash in a pan (plus, he’s a tool). I don’t want him in Cleveland…..
Could be bust at big FA pay.
He couldn’t make the team in most cities.
If Krueger moves to the Colts, I wonder if he’ll use 15 Mayflower trucks all taking different routes.
They better find a way. Kruger was one of the only bright spots on that defense during the regular season. I guess they have faith in the young guys. Defense doesn’t matter anyways.
Paul your gonna look so good lining up opposite Chris Clemons in Seahawks blue playing in front of the rabid 12th man!!! Come join the revolution and be a part of what could be a dynasty in the making!!!
GO HAWKS!!!
ROFLMAO @ ravenator…
Mommy let him have his computer time back in the basement. He knows krueger is gone, so now upshaw becomes a “beast”. Your beast was in on 60 tackles this year and had a whopping 1.5 sacks. The only thing he “beasts” is the post game meal! This guy is going to eat himself into a spot as a backup nose tackle.
As the Nest Burns…
GO STEELERS!
Everyone wants the ravens scraps when they leave but while they play for the ravens u all say they r bums but u see whay happens when they leave the black and purple and no one wants to play for the patriots brady is the new marino unless they can film practices
If you’re a ravens fan it’s obvious we need to keep ellerbee, love the job Kruger did this year but I’d say at least 4 of his 9 sacks were against either rookies or scrub tackles, good tackles for the most part shut him out. Congrats to Krueger on the season but he won’t be wearing a raven uniform come next year. Some team will over pay for him and he will be a rich man but I don’t see him producing much more than he did this year at the best no matter who signs him.
Has bust written all over him. He’ll go to a team that has no Ngata, or any other pass rushers and vanish into obscurity because of double and triple teams he rarely sees now.
Kruger will be a Colt next year. They have a need there, a bunch of cap $$, & Pagano.
Let him go. Someone will waaay overpay for him. Let’s see how good he is with out Suggs on the other side.
I think he could be a pretty damn good compliment to Clay Matthews in GB.