NFL Rumors: Roquan Smith’s Ravens Contract Restructured to Create $4.8M in Salary Cap Space | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

The Baltimore Ravens have been granted more flexibility in their salary cap space for the 2024 NFL season.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Ravens have executed a simple contract restructuring of linebacker Roquan Smith, creating $4.875 million in salary cap space.

Smith, who signed an extension through 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 restructure.

According to OverTheCap.com, the Ravens were $3.8 million over the salary cap before the contract rework, which will allow them to meet their salary requirements before the start of the year.

Smith, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears before being traded to Baltimore midseason in 2022, has been a key part of the Ravens’ defense since his arrival.

Last season, he led the team in tackles with 158, while also recording 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

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

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

The Ravens have been on the verge of a Super Bowl run the past few seasons, posting a league record of 13-4 last year and reaching the AFC Championship. This season, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Smith and the rest of Baltimore’s stars will finally try to get over that threshold.