The Baltimore Ravens are placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, the team announced.

The move comes after the Ravens and Madubuike failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal, although discussions remain ongoing with the goal of an extension.

If both sides can’t agree on a long-term extension by July 15, Madubuike will play out the 2024 season on the franchise tag, paying him $22.1 million.

So, how would that impact Baltimore’s salary cap in 2024?

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward (83) dicvexs as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) defends during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Factoring in Madubuike’s $22.1 million cap hit, the Ravens currently have -$9 million in salary cap space, 26th most in the NFL according to Over The Cap. Baltimore had roughly $13 million in cap space before the move, and although it’s official, the Ravens will have to cut more salary to be salary-cap compliant by the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. on March 13.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts a pass while pressured by Justin Madubuike #92 and Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Madubuike, 26, bet on himself last spring, and he is coming off a breakout season in which he produced a career-high 13 sacks for a Ravens defense that led the NFL with 60 sacks last season. Madubuike totaled more sacks last season than he did in his first three seasons combined (8.5 sacks). Madubuike’s 13 sacks last year are the fifth-most in a single season by a Baltimore player and are tied for the most by a Ravens defensive tackle. With All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen likely to depart for a massive free agent deal, retaining Madubuike is the Raven’s biggest priority in a critical offseason that’ll see 26 players test free agency.

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) prepares to throw the ball during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Restructures are an easy way to create cap space in the short term but can have long-term ramifications on your salary cap.

POS Player 2024 Cap Hit Cap Savings
QB Lamar Jackson $32,400,000 $11,100,000
CB Marlon Humphrey $22,877,800 $7,905,000
S Marcus Williams $18,723,000 $7,193,333
OL Ronnie Stanley $26,168,250 $6,895,000
TE Mark Andrews $16,907,611 $4,937,500
LB Roquan Smith $13,500,000 $3,656,250
K Justin Tucker $5,800,000 $1,717,500

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) and safety Marcus Williams (32) and safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Extensions are the best way to create cap space, as they benefit both the team and the player.

POS Player 2024 cap hit cap savings
QB Lamar Jackson $32,400,000 $11,100,000
OL Ronnie Stanley $26,168,250 $11,032,000
S Marcus Williams $18,723,000 $8,632,000
CB Marlon Humphrey $22,877,800 $8,432,000
TE Mark Andrews $16,907,611 $7,900,000
LB Roquan Smith $13,500,000 $3,900,000
LB Tyus Bowser $7,500,000 $3,500,000
OL Morgan Moses $6,960,000 $3,432,000
OL Patrick Mekari $6,350,000 $2,580,000

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Pre-June 1 cuts are most costly because they incur more dead money.

POS Player 2024 cap hit cap savings dead money
OL Ronnie Stanley $26,168,250 $8,331,750 $17,836,500
LB Tyus Bowser $7,500,000 $5,500,000 $2,000,000
OL Morgan Moses $6,960,000 $5,500,000 $1,460,000
TE Mark Andrews $16,907,611 $5,092,385 $11,815,226
OL Patrick Mekari $6,350,000 $4,350,000 $2,000,000
FB Patrick Ricard $5,155,000 $4,000,000 $1,155,000
RB Justice Hill $2,970,588 $2,470,588 $500,000
OL Ben Cleveland $1,500,460 $1,284,000 $216,460

Aug 27, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) runs across the field during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

This is the ideal time to cut players as it minimizes their dad cap totals.

POS Player 2024 cap hit cap savings dead cap
OL Ronnie Stanley $26,168,250 $15,000,000 $11,168,250
CB Marlon Humphrey $22,877,800 $11,750,000 $11,127,800
TE Mark Andrews $16,907,611 $11,000,000 $5,907,611
S Marcus Williams $18,723,000 $7,000,000 $11,723,000
LB Tyus Bowser $7,500,000 $5,500,000 $2,000,000
OL Morgan Moses $6,960,000 $5,500,000 $1,460,000

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports