NFL Rumors: Ravens Roquan Smith’s contract restructured to create $4.8M in salary cap space | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The Baltimore Ravens have gained some salary cap flexibility ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Ravens have made a simple restructure to linebacker Roquan Smith’s contract, which will increase his salary cap by $4.875 million.

Smith, who signed an extension before the 2023 season, is entering the second year of a five-year, $100 million contract. He was set to earn a base salary of $6 million with a cap hit of $13.5 million before the restructuring.

Before making changes to Smith’s contract, the Ravens were $3.8 million over the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com, so the move helps them get into salary cap compliance heading into the year.

Smith, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears before being traded to Baltimore midway through the 2022 season, has played a key role in the Ravens defense since joining the team.

Last season, he led the team in tackles with 158, and also had 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble and intercepted the ball.

Smith and the Ravens will open their season against a team that ended its playoff run and won a championship on Thursday when they face the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith recently spoke about his expectations to start the year off on a strong note.

“What better way to put on a show than when the whole world is watching, regardless of what happened last year? That was last year,” he said, according to Sarah Ellison of the Ravens Vault. “It’s a whole new season. The whole world is going to be watching from all sides. I’m really excited for our defense, offense and special teams to put on a show for the whole world and look good doing it.”

The Ravens have been close to reaching the Super Bowl the past few seasons, finishing with a league-best 13-4 record last year and winning the AFC Championship. This season, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Smith and the rest of Baltimore’s stars are looking to finally overcome that hurdle.