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The Baltimore Ravens had a real tough decision to make with its starting tight end Dennis Pitta. Either Pitta had to agree to take a pay cut, or the team had to give him his release. The two sides eventually agreed on a restructured contract that would lower Pitta's cap figure for 2017 and keep him on the team for now. This could also mean the end for tight end Ben Watson, but as it stands, he is still on the roster as well. Earlier this morning, we got an answer to what the deal looks like, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Dennis Pitta restructure: 2017: $2.5M salary, $500K roster bonus, $5.2M cap figure; 2018: $3M salary, $5.2M cap figure; injury waiver annual
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 22, 2017
In restructure, Dennis Pitta's $5.2M cap figures are down from previously scheduled $7.7M cap figures
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 22, 2017
Putting the injury waiver on the contract again is smart on the team's part due to the fact that if Pitta gets hurt, they can release him without an injury settlement. Of course, the last thing the Ravens want to see is Pitta not only getting injured again, but on the same hip that Pitta has previosuly had surgery on. It is still a gigantic risk for Pitta to be playing right now. The most important part of the restructure is the cap number, as it decreases from $7.7 million to $5.5 million. Taking a $2.5 million pay cut for the next two seasons to remain with the Ravens.
For the second year in a row, the Ravens and their former 2010 draft pick out of BYU were able to come to terms on a restructured deal, keeping him in Baltimore for the time being and still being a focal point in the offense. The concerns are still there of Pitta possibly reinjuring his hip, but for now, Pitta is staying in Baltimore.