Ravens Cuts: Tyus Bowser's Days In Baltimore Numbered?

The Baltimore Ravens have just over $5 million in cap space and several key free agents on defense.

With several key free agents and minimal cap space, the Baltimore Ravens will have to get creative if they're going to keep their top pending free agents and improve through free agency this offseason.

NBC Sports listed one potential cut candidate for each team to open up cap space this offseason and listed outside linebacker Tyus Bowser as the "top cap casualty" for Baltimore. The Ravens are currently projected to have just over $5 million in cap space, but would save $5.5 million if they cut Bowser. 

Tyus Bowser / USA Toay Sports

"The Ravens' top three pass-rushers are all set to enter free agency in the offseason and they will need every dollar in their couch cushions to get even two of them back," NBC Sports writes. "Bowser, who tallied two sacks in nine games in 2022 before missing all of the 2023 season, is an easy cut. He has one season over two sacks in the past four years."

Bowser was on his way to becoming one of the Ravens' more reliable pass rushers after he had a career-high seven sacks in 2021, but injuries have limited him to just nine games in the last two seasons. Along with Bowser's inability to stay on the field, the Ravens' top-three players in sacks, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (13) and outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney (9.5) and Kyle Van Noy (9) are set to hit free agency. Linebacker Patrick Queen, who also had a stellar 2023 season with a career-high 133 tackles, is also a pending free agent this offseason.

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The trio of pass rushers and Queen were instrumental in Baltimore having the top defense in the NFL, as they led the NFL in sacks (60), was tied for first in turnovers (31) and allowed the fewest points per game (16.5).

Keeping all of their top free agents will be nearly impossible for the Ravens, but cutting Bowser seems to be a necessity if they're going to retain some of their best players from an elite defense last season.