OTL: Ravens Fly the Coop on Day 1 of Free Agency

So, yesterday was… something.

The start of the legal tampering period meant that free agency began in earnest, and teams wasted absolutely no time snagging some big fish. Traditionally, the Ravens tend to be a little more active in the second wave of free agency anyway, so I didn’t expect much news out of The Castle right away. That doesn’t mean that the Ravens got through the day unscathed, though.

With the team operating under the assumption that Lamar Jackson returns to play on the franchise tag, we knew sacrifices were going to have to be made with some of the team’s free agents. Even with Michael Pierce and Gus Edwards both agreeing to restructure their contracts, something had to give. Yesterday, it gave.

We have released DE Calais Campbell. pic.twitter.com/75X15Vr5x1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 13, 2023

Broncos signing guard Ben Powers to four-year deal. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/2eRAyb3sVa

— NFL (@NFL) March 13, 2023

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with TE Josh Oliver on a three-year, $21 million deal, source says. He gets $10.75 million guaranteed and has incentives that can take the deal up to $24 million. One of the best blocking tight ends in the league.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2023

I can’t say I was surprised by any of these moves, but it doesn’t reduce the sting. Calais’ presence was huge on and off the field, and I’m sincerely hoping he’ll run it back on a cheaper deal. Elsewhere, Powers and Oliver just priced themselves out coming off productive seasons. There are a lot of different ways this can go, especially if the other shoe finally falls with a long-term deal for Lamar, but for now, Baltimore just had to take their lumps.

These losses came to the delight of Bengals fans… until about two hours later.

Vonn Bell is going to the #Panthers, per me and @TomPelissero

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023

Jessie Bates has signed a four-year, $64M deal with the Falcons, per @RapSheet and @TomPelissero pic.twitter.com/PLw2BlPdNR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2023

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, Cincy. It tolls for thee. The Bengals may not be dead in the water, but asking Dax Hill and a player to be named later to fill those shoes is going to be a tall order. The Ravens may have their issues to deal with, but safety isn’t one of them.

The Bengals and Eagles demonstrated in full force yesterday that, most of the time, the closer you get to a championship without winning it, the further away you become. When success means having to pay the piper in a salary cap league, what goes up must come down.

Marcus Epps played 1,058 defensive snaps last season, the most by any Eagles player.

8 of Philly's top 9 players by total defensive snaps last season have either left, are current free agents, or have received permission to seek a trade. https://t.co/Z1GMyEFeJa

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 13, 2023

On the flipside, Chicago proved that the opposite can be true, as last season’s basement dwellers threw some money around in the hopes of clawing their way upward.

#Bears offseason big-board:

*Will sign LB Tremaine Edmunds to 4-yr, $72M deal.

*Will sign LB TJ Edwards to a 3-yr, $19.5M deal.

*Will sign G Nate Davis to a 3-yr, $30M deal.

*Traded No. 1 pick for WR DJ Moore, pick No. 9, pick No. 61, a 2024 1st & 2025 2nd.

More is coming…

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 13, 2023

While yesterday certainly was one of the more eventful days of the offseason, we’ll have to see what happens tomorrow and shortly thereafter as other teams are officially allowed to tender contract offers to Lamar.

So correction to earlier stated dates. Lamar Jackson can begin negotiating with other teams beginning March 15. https://t.co/o4NZOeV2NZ

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) March 9, 2023

Until then, here are the QB signings from yesterday that you guys really wanted to see!

The #Raiders are closing in on a deal with QB Jimmy Garoppolo, sources say. After six seasons and a Super Bowl appearance with the #49ers, Jimmy G is on his way to Vegas, the site of this season’s Super Bowl, to reunite with Josh McDaniels. pic.twitter.com/R4dSLyj5SX

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2023

49ers reached agreement on a one-year deal with former Panthers’ QB Sam Darnold, per source. pic.twitter.com/rpJLf1YXxi

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023

Miami is giving former Jets’ QB Mike White a two-year deal worth up to $16 million, per source. pic.twitter.com/NTSnFxAvgc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023