Ravens Fail To Reach Extensions For Kevin Zeitler, Gus Edwards, Rock Ya-Sin, Geno Stone
The Baltimore Ravens failed to reach contract extensions for four key players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Monday and those four will now become free agents when the new league year starts on March 13.
Guard Kevin Zeitler, running back Gus Edwards, and defensive backs Rock Ya-Sin and Geno Stone will all be available on the open market next month. The lack of new contracts for the four means that Baltimore will incur a dead cap hit of $8.3 million.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta indicated that they'd like to keep Zietler around, "He's been a Pro Bowler. This is his first year, but in my mind, he's been a Pro Bowler."
Now in his 12th season overall, and finishing his third in Baltimore, Zeitler is one of the oldest starting offensive linemen. Yet he's playing at maybe the highest level of his career.
Zeitler indicated last offseason he'd like to remain in Baltimore, then proceeded to have one of the best seasons in his long career in a contract season. And he did it by only missing two games this season, and just four over the past three years.
Stone led the AFC last season with seven picks and was a critical piece of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald's unit that led the league in a number of statistical categories. At age 24, Stone will be looking for a big payday with his next contract, and the Ravens most likely can't afford his asking price.
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After running back J.K. Dobbins went down for the season with an Achilles tear in the season opener, Edwards was able to jump in and rattle off 810 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. Edwards has been linked to other teams if he. hits free agency, including the Dallas Cowboys.
In 14 games this season, Ya-Sin defended two passes, and registered a career-low 13 combined tackles with nine solo.