Harbaugh indicated during a conference call that he has exchanged text messages with the two-time Pro Bowl selection following the bombshell Mason dropped on Monday.
Harbaugh referenced the murder of former Ravens quarterback Steve McNair, Mason’s close friend and former teammate, as something that’s probably weighing on Mason’s emotions.
According to his agent, Mason initiated the idea that he would retire one day after speaking at McNair’s memorial service last week in Tennessee, one day prior to McNair’s funeral in Mississippi.
"We have an appointment to talk here real soon, either by phone, or when I get back next week," said Harbaugh, who’s on vacation with his family. "It’ll be interesting to see where he’s at with everything. I know he’s gone through a lot in the last couple weeks with Steve’s situation and those kinds of things, but I’m looking forward to talking with him. ..
"Derrick Mason is a warrior. He’s a tremendous family man, and he’s got good relationships with everybody inside the building. I’m just looking forward to seeing how this goes."
Several teammates have theorized that Mason, who previously played for the Tennessee Titans and maintains a residence in Nashville with his wife and two children, may want to be in close proximity to Tennessee to provide support to McNair’s wife, Mechelle and the children.
"I was shocked," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "Derrick is a warrior, but I can understand because I know that he’s going through a lot of things emotionally right now, especially with the loss of one of his great friends in Steve.
"At 35 years old, you really start to put things into perspective. Either way it goes, I love ‘Mase.’ I would love to have him for another year, but only Derrick Mason knows what’s good for him."
Mason, who’s entering the final year of a five-year, $20 million contract, has denied that money is at the heart of this development. However, he has lobbied the Ravens privately and publicly for a contract extension. He’s currently due a $3 million base salary this year.
Mason denied Monday that money would sway him, adding that he won’t change his mind for anything other than family reasons.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are sifting through their options.
That includes exploring potential trade scenarios for Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin. The Ravens are monitoring Marshall’s legal situation as he has a pending case in a domestic violence allegation from a former girlfriend.
Free agent options are headlined by former Indianapolis Colts star Marvin Harrison. Other wideouts available for various reasons: Matt Jones, Drew Bennett, Amani Toomer, D.J. Hackett, Reggie Williams, Justin McCareins and Darrell Jackson.
Several of those players’ agents have said they haven’t heard from the Ravens.
“Obviously if Derrick does retire, that’s going to perk us up even more as far as strengthening that position, but you can only do so much,” Harbaugh said. “There are only so many guys out there available, and a lot of what we do is develop the players that we have and we think we have good players here. I think there’s a lot of time between now and when training camp starts."
Now, the Ravens have roughly $7 million in salary-cap room and could gain another $3 million if Mason officially retires.
The fluid situation has left the team wondering what will be Mason’s next move.
"I really would love to have Derrick back, but like he said, ‘I just don’t love it anymore, I don’t want to do it anymore,’" Suggs said. "I can respect that because all of our days are coming, and I wouldn’t want anyone to ask me to play if I was ready to hang it up."
Harbaugh expressed confidence that the Ravens will be fine regardless of what Mason decides, and he emphasized Mason’s strong character and work ethic.
"I don’t know exactly where he’s at with it, but I know if he decides to come back, he will be completely and totally committed and ready to go,” Harbaugh said. “If not, then we’ll move on as a football team and we’ll still be the very best football team we can be. We think we’re going to be a heck of a football team."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
