Quote:The whole point of the trade from the Ravens point of view was to get a LT to protect Flacco for a playoff or Super Bowl run last year. Once the year ends, the only advantage they have with signing Monroe is the use or threat of a franchise tag. If Monroe and his agent believe he is worth a certain level of dollars in free agency, they will not sign a new deal with the Ravens prior to free agency for less. The trade did not give them any 'right' of first refusal, only the right to use the franchise tag.

It does give them the right of first refusal. Right now they are the only team in the league who can actively negotiate a deal with him and they consider making that deal with him their top priority over the next few weeks.

 

If their gamble doesn't work then they are out a 4th and a 5th. If they can lock him down long term, then they will have hit one out of the park with a premium player.

 

There is really no point in playing the what if game right now. He will sign or he won't sign with the ravens. We will find out very soon who got the short end of the stick.

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