Ravens Use Franchise Tag on DT Justin Madubuike

The Baltimore Ravens have used their franchise tag for the 2024 season on defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, the team announced on Tuesday, ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline.

“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in a press release. “Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”

The options now are for the Ravens and Madubuike to negotiate an extension before the mid-July deadline, for him to play under the tag contact in 2024, or for him to sit out the season.

Madubuike, 26, had a breakout year in 2023, setting career highs in nearly every statistical category. Baltimore’s third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, Madubuike became a starter midway through his second season in 2021 and was a full-time starter in 2022.

But he took off in 2023. In his first three seasons combined, Madubuike recorded 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits. Last year alone, he had 13 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 33 quarterbacks.

Madubuike finished ninth in the voting for the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, and was selected to the All-Pro Team and the AFC Pro Bowl roster.

Madubuike just finished his rookie contract and earned only $2.74 million in 2023. He’s due for a big raise. If he plays under the franchise tag amount, he’ll be due $22.1 million on a one-year, fully guaranteed deal. Spotrac is projecting a market value of contract of four years, $81.3 million.

The Ravens have just $12.5 million available, according to OvertheCap.com, so they will have to clear some space to fit Madubuike’s tag under the salary cap.