The Front Office

A few years ago, The Athletic viewed Russell Street Report as a farm system of sorts, for new writers. In Baltimore, Maryland, the dedicated writers who contribute to a non-mainstream publication covering the Ravens are members of an elite squad known as the Russell Street Report. These are their stories.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Tony Lombardi and Brian McFarland are joined by special guest, Jeff Zrebiec from The Athletic. The three examine the Ravens offseason so far in its totality, touching on some surprises, disappointments, and the work that needs to be done to get ready for the 2025 NFL Season.

· 0:00: Intro

· 0:20: Michael Pierce contract adjustment

· 2:40: Cooper Rush contract details

· 3:30: Current Effective Cap Space

· 5:55: Welcome Jeff Zrebiec

· 9:15: Ravens surprises this offseason

· 11:35: Latest on Justin Tucker

· 19:40: Many quality UFA’s still available…is that a surprise?

· 22:40: Will Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum both receive the 5th year option

· 26:10: Lamar Extension ~ why it will be a challenge

· 31:37: Negotiating with Lamar v. Mahomes

· 33:41: The return of the Prodigal Son and the Harbaugh Doghouse

· 36:55: The curious case of Odafe Oweh

· 44:40: Losses in the secondary

· 47:28: The impact of Chuck Pagano

· 49:25: How the Ravens stack up in the AFC North

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Brian McFarland and Tony Lombardi from Russell Street Report touch down on the following topics (with corresponding time stamps) in this week’s edition of The Front Office.

0:00: Intro

1:30: Grade the offseason so far

3:00: Surprised by lack of edge splash?

5:30: Player development

9:45: Ben Cleveland’s return

11:26: Ar’Darius Washington update

13:28: Available NFL free agents

19:00: The value signing of Cooper Rush

22:48: The Bengals spending spree...could it backfire?

27:15: Mark Andrews situation

30:00: The Ravens don’t want to restructure Lamar…why?

33:00: Are the Ravens “all-in”?

35:00: Which Ravens are most likely to be restructured?

37:00: Void years and their impact on the Ravens salary cap

39:50: Why 2028 could be a problem year for the Ravens and their cap

41:50: Count on the Ravens spending a lot in 2026

43:30: The perplexing case of Tyler Linderbaum and his future in Baltimore

49:30: Derrick Henry extension talks

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Tony Lombardi and Brian McFarland from Russell Street Report assess the Ravens current salary cap situation following the restructure of Marlon Humphrey’s contract which frees up over $13M in cap space. Plus, the assess the additions and subtractions from the team’s roster including the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins, and more.

0:50: Can the Ravens now spend the $13M+ in cap space on free agents or trade for Micah Parsons?

2:35: Why an extension would have been better than a restructure for Marlon Humphrey

5:30: Splash signings in the AFC North

09:00: The Ravens additions and subtractions to the roster

16:30: The unique contract of Pat Ricard

26:30: Ravens cuts

28:30: The curious case of Ar’Darius Washington

35:30: The Ravens EFFECTIVE CAP SPACE and ways to expand it.

44:50: What will happen with Mark Andrews.

48:00: The potential post June-1 cuts

52:30: Why join our forums? Well, it’s fun, informative and FREE!

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Brian McFarland and Tony Lombardi discuss:

• Effective Cap Space

• The Salary Cap is Fake

• A surprise Ravens move

• Ronnie Stanley is in the news…

o Joe Thuney trade for a 2026 4th

• NFLPA Player Poll

• Derrick Henry’s asking price just jumped

• The plethora of free agent WR’s

• DK Metcalf for Mark Andrews?

• Russell Street Report in the Ravens war room

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Brian McFarland and Tony Lombardi of Russell Street Report address some challenges confronting Eric DeCosta and the Ravens this offseason including re-signing Ronnie Stanley and what to do with Mark Andrews and Justin Tucker.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Tony Lombardi and Brian McFarland discuss the Ravens current salary cap situation, some breaking NFL news and how the team can create cap space to be players in free agency.

Introduction

· 2:45 The Ravens Current Cap Situation

· 6:20 The critical Rule of 51

· 11:00 Pre or Post June 1 and the effects on Justin Tucker

· 17:10 The Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents

· 22:35 Why are the Ravens always up against the cap?

· 26:55 Creating cap space for needs in free agency

· 32:25 How much cap space could the Ravens realistically create?

· 40:15 What to do with Mark Andrews? Isaiah Likely

Be sure to check out Brian’s extremely thorough 2025 Ravens Salary Cap Preview here at RSR: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/02/10/baltimore-ravens-salary-cap/2025-ravens-salary-cap-preview/

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Ravens have some cap flexibility to make a splash signing but will they pull the trigger and if so, for whom? Brian McFarland and Tony Lombardi discuss some of the possibilities along with some of the recent signings and a significant pay cut for a critical player. Plus, they discuss the bargain signing of a key Ravens player who got away. It’s a real headscratcher.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Ravens have lost several players to free agency and one via trade, while adding another big name and re-signing a few of their own free agents. How has that impacted the Ravens salary cap situation? Can GM Eric DeCosta make more moves? Is a big splash possible? These questions and more are addressed in this episode of The Front Office.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Russell Street Report’s Brian McFarland and Tony Lombardi review each of the Ravens pending free agents, assessing their respective roles on the team, salary cap impact and then determining which will stay and which will go. Buckle up your chin strap!

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm