Quarterback Joe Flacco is clearly the Ravens’ most important free agent, and at the moment, his negotiations is taking priority.
While they’ve had talks with several of their other free agents, the lack of a resolution on Flacco’s contract (or tag) has kept them from moving forward on others.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, it’s “unlikely that any deals will be struck” until Flacco is taken care of.
With the March 4 deadline for using either the exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag, it’s a waiting game for pending free agents such as linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
Until they know how much of this year’s cap is tied up on their quarterback, they can’t know how much or how many they can offer.
Ellerbe seems to be the priority among the rest, while outside linebacker Paul Kruger and cornerback Cary Williams seem destined for the market, while they’ll monitor the market for tackle Bryant McKinnie.
That’s a lot of balls in the air for general manager Ozzie Newsome, but Flacco’s the biggest, and the one he can’t drop.