Ravens reportedly offered Ngata lucrative contract

The Ravens reportedly offered starting defensive lineman, Haloti Ngata, a "lucrative" contract extension that he turned down. That extension was supposed to allow Ngata to retire a Raven. The Ravens offered a contract extension to Terrell Suggs in an effort to reduce his cap hit and to allow him to retire a Raven as well, to which he accepted.

Ngata, is set to have a $16million cap hit this year but would create $15million in dead money if the Ravens were to cut him. While it makes sense for Ngata to earn as much as possible this season, he enters next season as a significant option to cut as the Ravens would save $8.5million over his $16million cap hit in 2015. You can bet that the Ravens, while holding all the leverage next season, will not offer the same type of deal to Ngata again and might cut him and let him test free agency.

Ngata, a consensus top player in the league, has had issues remaining healthy over his career. Missing 7 games over his career and not being 100% for the past few years, the Ravens have had to add depth along the line and rotate players in throughout games to try and keep Ngata fresh and healthy for longer.

Haloti Ngata has been a Pro Bowl choice every year from 2009 on. Playing in 15 games in 2013, he ended the season with 52 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3 passes defended. Hopefully he lives up to his large salary