The Baltimore Ravens are going all-in. If there was any doubt about the franchise’s commitment to a Super Bowl run, that question has been answered loud and clear. With free agency in full swing and the need for additional financial flexibility, the Ravens have executed a max restructure of star cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s contract, adding multiple void years to help create additional cap space.

This isn’t just another bookkeeping move—it’s a calculated gamble that Baltimore hopes will position them for a Lombardi Trophy while they have one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL.

Let’s break down what this means for the team, the salary cap, and why void years are becoming Baltimore’s new best friend.

The Humphrey Restructure: Breaking Down the Numbers

According to cap expert Brian McFarland of Russell Street Report, the Ravens reworked Marlon Humphrey’s contract to clear $13.396 million in 2025 cap space. Here’s how they pulled it off:

• Humphrey’s original $18 million salary and roster bonus were reduced to the league minimum of $1.255 million.
• The remaining $16.745 million was converted into a signing bonus, which can now be spread out over multiple years.
• Two void years were added to stretch out the cap hit.

This kind of move allows Baltimore to free up immediate cap room while pushing the financial burden further down the road—a strategy that has become increasingly common across the league for teams trying to maximize their championship window.

Why Did the Ravens Need Cap Space?

The Ravens entered free agency with roughly $10 million in cap space—a decent amount but not enough to make any major moves. Given the team’s aggressive offseason approach, restructuring was inevitable.

Baltimore needed financial breathing room for multiple reasons:

1. Signing Key Free Agents
   With high-profile acquisitions like DeAndre Hopkins, re-signing Justin Madubuike, and keeping key veterans, Baltimore had to find ways to fit everything under the cap.

2. Maintaining Flexibility for Midseason Moves
   Injuries happen, and championship-caliber teams need to have cap space available for potential in-season signings. This move helps ensure the Ravens aren’t strapped financially when opportunities arise.

3. Building for a Super Bowl Run
   The window is wide open right now with Lamar Jackson in his prime, a loaded defense, and an offense stacked with weapons. Instead of playing it safe, Baltimore is going all in while they have the chance.

The Ravens’ Growing Love Affair with Void Years

If you’ve been paying attention to Baltimore’s cap strategy over the last few seasons, you’ll notice one recurring theme: void years, void years, and more void years.

By adding void years to a contract, teams can push cap hits into future seasons, creating immediate relief. However, it comes with a future cost—when the contract voids, the remaining balance of the prorated bonus accelerates onto the cap as dead money.

Baltimore has fully embraced this approach, adding void years to the contracts of:

• Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
• Michael Pierce (NT)
• Ronnie Stanley (LT)
• Justin Madubuike (DT)
• Marlon Humphrey (CB)
• Lamar Jackson (QB)

It’s clear that General Manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens’ front office aren’t afraid to kick the can down the road if it means keeping the roster stacked for a championship push.

This strategy, however, only works if the team wins—otherwise, the financial hit down the line could be painful.

Championship Window: The Time is Now

Baltimore’s aggressive cap maneuvering signals one undeniable truth: they believe this team can win it all.

The AFC North is a brutal division, and competition across the conference is fierce, with teams like Kansas City, Buffalo, and Cincinnati all vying for the same Super Bowl ticket. But Baltimore has one of the most complete rosters in the league, featuring:

• An MVP-caliber quarterback in Lamar Jackson
• Elite offensive weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews
• A top-tier defense anchored by Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Marlon Humphrey
• A strong offensive line led by Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum

If there was ever a time to go all in, it’s right now. The Ravens know that championship windows don’t stay open forever, and they’re doing everything possible to take advantage while they have the talent.

Potential Risks: Is This Sustainable?

The big question with void years and restructures is simple: What happens when the bill comes due?

Pushing cap hits into future years creates short-term relief, but eventually, those void years become dead money. If the Ravens don’t win a Super Bowl soon, they could find themselves in a financial crunch, forced to part ways with key players or undergo a difficult rebuild.

We’ve seen teams like the Saints and Rams use similar strategies, with mixed results:

• The Saints kept restructuring deals to stay competitive, but eventually, the financial burden forced them into a rebuild.
• The Rams went all in for a Super Bowl—and won. While they later faced cap struggles, the championship made it all worth it.

Baltimore is betting that they’ll be more like the Rams than the Saints—a team that wins now and figures out the financials later.

Final Take: Ravens Are Leaving No Stone Unturned

By restructuring Marlon Humphrey’s contract, the Ravens have made it clear: they are all-in on winning a Super Bowl.

This move, along with other cap adjustments and signings, ensures Baltimore has the firepower to compete at the highest level in 2025. They’re not worried about the future right now—they’re focused on bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Charm City.

Ravens fans should be excited, because this front office is going for it in a way we haven’t seen in years.

The only question now? Can this team deliver when it matters most?

Baltimore is betting everything that the answer is YES.