Ronnie Stanley likely could have made more money on the open market, but the left tackle chose to accept a fair deal in order to stay with the only team he's known, the Baltimore Ravens.
While he didn't outright state it Monday, it's clear why Stanley decided to stick it out with Baltimore. Despite enjoying a record-setting season in production, the Ravens fell short of their ultimate goal in 2024.
Now, it's the only one they're focused on achieving.
"We've broken so many records the last how many years, I don't think we really care about it, to be honest," Stanley said Monday. "Especially, the guys that have been here. I think the only thing we really care about is winning a Super Bowl. So, yeah all that over stuff for sure is nice. But definitely unfinished business. I don't think anyone is really happy."
In order to reach the loftiest of football targets, the Ravens knew they needed to retain Stanley and make smart additions. They found one in receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who isn't quite the same superstar he once was, but as he approaches his 33rd birthday, still brings value to a Ravens passing attack that took a major step forward in 2024.
"I had a huge smile on my face when we signed D-Hop," Stanley said. "You know what you are getting with that guy. He's a Hall of Fame caliber wide receiver. I still think he has a lot of good seasons left in him. He's a physical player. He's a competitive player. I think he's going to fit into our team really well."
Hopkins isn't a missing link to get the Ravens over the hump but will help expand Baltimore's options in the passing game and make them that much more difficult to defend. Opponents already struggled with stopping them for most of 2024, if not for one turnover-filled day in Orchard Park, New York, perhaps they would have finally cleared the AFC Championship Game hurdle and reached the Super Bowl.
With the addition of Hopkins and his decision to return, Stanley believes the Ravens are perfectly positioned to do just that in 2025 -- as long as they learn from their past mistakes.
"I think it's just getting out of our own way a little bit," Stanley said. "Not beating ourselves."
