ExtremeRavens Posted March 12 Posted March 12 The Ravens placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on safety Ar’Darius Washington on Wednesday, the first day of the new NFL year. At $3.3 million, it is worth less than the second-round tender of $5.3 million. It also means that any team has until April 18 to sign the 25-year-old to an offer sheet, and if Baltimore declines to match it, it won’t get any draft pick compensation in return. Had Baltimore, which is tight on salary cap space after re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million extension ahead of free agency, among other moves, used the more expensive second-round tender, the Ravens would have received a second-round draft pick if Washington got an offer sheet from another team and the Ravens chose not to match it. Washington, who is entering his fifth year in the league after signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2021, is coming off what was far and away his best season with 64 tackles and two interceptions. He also helped steady a shaky secondary after being inserted into the starting lineup a little more than midway through the season for struggling Marcus Williams and alongside two-time Pro Bowl safety and 2023 All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. Through the first 10 games of last season, the Ravens had one of the worst defenses in the league, allowing the most passing yards per game in while ranking 27th in total yards and 26th in scoring. Over their final eight games of the regular season, however, the Ravens rose to first in the league in each category. “Ar’Darius earned that opportunity,” coach John Harbaugh said in mid-November and after Washington’s insertion into the lineup. “He earned that chance by the way he practiced and also by the way he played when he was in there over the course of the season.” Washington also produced one of the more memorable moments from the Ravens’ 12-5 regular season. In a Christmas Day showdown with the Houston Texans, he made a key fourth-down stop near Baltimore’s goal line. That prompted a wild celebration on the sideline in which he collided with and knocked down first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. But now the Ravens could potentially be at risk of losing Washington. It’s a risk they’re willing to take. At 5 feet 8 and 180 pounds, Washington is undersized for the position. He has also struggled to stay healthy. After appearing in three games as a rookie, Washington suffered a season-ending foot injury. A year later, he was cut before the season, signed back to the practice squad and elevated for three games but wasn’t signed to the active roster until the postseason. In 2023, Washington began the season in the slot and through the first two games had 11 tackles, two pass breakups and a sack. But he suffered a chest injury that landed him on injured reserve and did not return until the playoffs, where he played on special teams. Over four seasons, Washington has appeared in 25 games (10 starts), making 78 tackles while recording two interceptions and a forced fumble. In other moves, Baltimore elected not to tender exclusive rights free agent running back Owen Wright nor restricted free agent cornerback Christian Matthew. Cornerback Arthur Maulet’s release also became official. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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