OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley thought it was just another pass play during spring workouts until the ball came flying at him.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson's pass was batted down at the line by defensive end Brent Urban, and it ricocheted to a surprised Stanley. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman instinctively caught it and ran upfield, looking like a wide receiver when he spun around a defender.
"I don't think anyone was really expecting it too much," Stanley said. "But I turned on the film, and it was a pretty nifty move."
For the first time in years, Stanley is healthy and having fun. It was only a few months ago that he couldn't truly enjoy the Ravens finishing with the best record in the AFC at 14-3 because of his on-field struggles.
With Stanley agreeing to a $7.5 million pay cut this offseason to remain in Baltimore, he enters the most pivotal season of his nine-year career. He was due to make $15 million this season, as part of a five-year, $98.75 million deal he signed in 2020, but he had to agree to a 50% pay reduction to stay.
If Stanley can rebound anywhere close to his All-Pro form, he could set himself up for another big contract, possibly with Baltimore. If Stanley continues to perform below his expectations, he will enter free agency in 2025 as a major question mark.
"There's zero doubt in my head: If I'm playing the way I need to be playing, to my standard, I'm the best tackle," Stanley said.
Stanley was the best tackle in football in 2019 when he allowed a total of six pressures -- the fewest by an offensive tackle in 14 years -- during Jackson's first NFL Most Valuable Player campaign. He became the first Ravens' first-team All-Pro left tackle since Hall of Fame lineman Jonathan Ogden in 2003.
Last season, Stanley once again blocked Jackson's blindside in an NFL MVP season, but he was far from the top of his game. He allowed five sacks and committed a career-worst 11 penalties. He also missed four games due to a right knee injury that diminished his strength and mobility.
One of his personal lows was a Ravens' 37-3 rout of the Seahawks in early November when Stanley got pushed backward to the ground and later got beaten for a strip sack. Two games later, Baltimore beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-10, but Stanley was called for two penalties and allowed six quarterback pressures.
Mafe continuing to be a FORCE.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 5, 2023
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/4rUsqFIMTf
"We may have been playing well, but it was really killing me on the inside just knowing that I wasn't playing to my potential," Stanley said. "That's something that is harder for me to live with. But, moving on from last year, I feel very good about this upcoming season."
The Ravens need Stanley to raise his level of play as one of two returning starters on a revamped offensive line. Last year, Stanley was the third-oldest offensive lineman in Baltimore. Now, at the age of 30, he is the second-oldest projected starter on offense, behind running back Derrick Henry.
Baltimore has seen a revitalized Stanley this spring. Unlike recent offseasons, Stanley attended every voluntary workout that was open to the media and fully participated in all three days of minicamp.
"He's ready to go," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I love Ronnie. I love who he is -- his personality -- but I also love what he's capable of doing on the football field. If we get Ronnie Stanley out there playing to that level, that would be wonderful."
Stanley can earn up to $10 million in incentives this season, including playing time. He will receive $29,411 for each game that he's active.
"Baltimore is like a second home to me," Stanley said. "Going on my ninth year and missing a lot of time, if that was my last year, [it] just wouldn't really sit right with me. I would probably have some regret leaving Baltimore [not] on the note that I want to leave it on."
Selected as the No. 6 pick in the 2016 draft, Stanley established himself as one of the top linemen in the league. He signed his contract that included a $22.5 million signing bonus in October 2020.
Two days after signing that deal, Stanley was carted off the field with a serious left ankle injury. Since that game, he has been sidelined for 35 of Baltimore's next 65 games, including playoffs, due to ankle, shoulder and knee injuries.
This season, if that spin move in the spring is any indication, Stanley has put himself in position to turn his career around.
"You go by what you see as a coach, and as Bill Parcells said, 'Not what you remember,'" Harbaugh said. "What I see from Ronnie is he's moving his feet, he's got a good anchor, and he'll get into the pads and just work. He's the same as everybody else, but obviously, having a talented left tackle playing at a high level will be really good for our football team."