Baltimore Ravens Will Not Pick Up Chris Canty’s Option
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens have decided not to pick up defensive end Chris Canty’s option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent once again.
The Ravens have been very active in the last 24 hours in order to keep their salary cap in order. While many though that Joe Flacco’s contract extension would help some of the veterans stay in Baltimore, two veterans will not be with the team for the 2016 season.
Earlier today, Adam Schefter reported that the Ravens will release linebacker Daryl Smith. Now there are reports that the team will decline the option to keep Chris Canty with the team.
The decision to let Canty go will free up another $2 million in cap room. With Flacco’s restructured deal and the two veterans not returning, the team will have another $10.5 million in cap space. This comes after the team released him last offseason, but re-signed him a few weeks later at a lesser price.
The decision comes as no surprise as the Ravens are blessed with some terrific young talent alone the defensive line. Canty has been one of several Ravens that feel victim to the injury bug in recent seasons, and finished the 2015 season on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Cutting ties with both Smith and Canty were moves that many expected to happen this offseason. Each has seen their play decline and Baltimore does have depth to replace both players. Unlike Smith, Canty has not expressed a desire to retire so we could see him in another uniform next season.
The $10.5 million freed up gives the Ravens an opportunity to keep Kelechi Osemele in Baltimore. Osemele is arguably the top free agent offensive lineman in the NFL, and the team has said they would like to keep him. They have reportedly offered K.O. a contract that would make him the second-highest paid player on offense behind Flacco.
Next: Ravens to Release LB Daryl Smith
It’s tough to see valued veterans go, but there comes a time for everyone to agree to part ways. Ozzie Newsome, John Harbaugh and the rest of the Ravens’ brass are doing their part to make the 2016 team a better squad. Fans can only hope that the young bucks are ready to step in and play at a high level.