The Baltimore Ravens face quite a dilemma with Justin Madubuike’s future on the team.

Madubuike is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career in March. He played the 2023 season on the final year of his rookie contract.

The Ravens do have the option to prevent Madubuike from becoming an unrestricted free agent next month, as they can issue him the non-exclusive franchise tag. If the Ravens were to hand Madubuike the non-exclusive franchise tag and the all-around defensive lineman were to sign off on it, then he would earn $22.1 million in the 2024 season.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta prefers to come to terms with Madubuike on a "long-term deal."

"We're trying to get a deal done," DeCosta said during a press conference at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. "We've had discussions with Justin. He's a guy that obviously put himself in a fortuitous position this year by the way that he played. Had a great season for us, he's a valued player on the team.

"We're hopeful that we can get a long-term deal done."

DeCosta later added that he "probably will" franchise tag Madubuike if the team fails to sign him to a new deal by the March 5 deadline.

As DeCosta touched on, Madubuike upped his market value in the 2023 season, tallying career highs in both sacks (13.0) and quarterback hits (33). Madubuike was also named to the Pro Bowl Games for the first time in his career.

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Pivotal development.