Ronnie Stanley's Resilient Return to Form
As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for the 2024 NFL season, all eyes are on left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Despite a tumultuous series of injuries over the past few years, Stanley has gradually returned to form, showcasing resilience and determination that epitomize his professional journey.
Last season marked a major turnaround for Stanley, who participated in 13 games after a brutal stretch of injury-plagued seasons. His road to recovery has been arduous, with the athlete missing four games last season and playing only six in 2020. The following year, 2021, saw him on the field for just a single game, raising serious concerns about his future in the league. His participation in 11 games in 2022 hinted at a comeback, but it was his performance this past season that reaffirmed his position as a Pro Bowl-caliber player, earning him a selection to the 2023 Pro Bowl.
Reflecting on his journey, Stanley shared the profound impact of his injuries and the subsequent return to the game. "I guess being in that state when I was younger, it wasn't as savory as a moment or savory as a time, just knowing that, 'OK, your career could have been over after one play' and not knowing if I was ever going to feel like that again physically or athletically," he said. This uncertainty weighed heavily on Stanley, making his return to the field even more gratifying.
Stanley’s offseason regiment and participation in Organised Team Activities (OTAs) played a crucial role in his comeback. "It's more of a gradual thing. I think in the offseason, I definitely felt that, where it was like, 'Oh, yeah, I feel really good athletically. I feel like I'm doing these drills on the field really well. I feel like I'm making sharp cuts, being able to get low and be flexible,'" he noted. However, the true test came when these drills had to translate into on-field performance. "Not until I came back here, really through OTAs and just getting back into football stuff, is really when I started to feel more confident about all of that training and that rolling over to actual production."
The alignments and gameplay strategies of the Ravens have undeniably benefitted from Stanley’s return. His presence on the line provides quarterback Lamar Jackson with the essential protection needed to execute their dynamic offensive strategies. Stanley doesn’t just bring physical prowess to the field but also a renewed sense of confidence and leadership. "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier," he revealed. "To be able to perform at the standard I know I can perform at, it just makes me feel more at ease and confident in what I'm doing and that I'm going in the right direction."
Stanley’s determination to come back stronger has not gone unnoticed by the Ravens' management. His decision to reduce his base salary from $11 million to $3 million exemplifies his commitment to the team's collective success. This restructuring of his contract also means that Stanley will enter free agency a year earlier, with 2025 being marked as a void year. This move, while financially impactful, underscores his willingness to prioritize the team's financial flexibility and future roster building over personal gain.
The return of Ronnie Stanley to peak form is not just a personal victory but a significant boost for the Ravens. His resilience serves as an inspiration to his teammates and reinforces the Ravens' quest for excellence in the upcoming season. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," Stanley asserted, encapsulating the essence of his arduous journey back to the gridiron.
As the Ravens prepare to tackle the challenges of the 2024 NFL season, Ronnie Stanley’s story stands as a testament to perseverance and the unwavering spirit of an athlete undeterred by setbacks. His presence on the field once again anchors a team with aspirations that extend well into the postseason, embodying the resilience and commitment that define champions.