The agent for Marshal Yanda said the versatile offensive lineman would be open to staying with the Ravens, saying Thursday that “it’s not a place you rush to leave.”
Yanda, who has started at guard and tackle for the Ravens, would become an unrestricted free agent if the NFL allows four-years players to hit the market. In February, coach John Harbaugh indicated that Yanda would be “a priority”
in free agency.
Neil Cornrich, who represents Yanda, was overly complimentary of the Ravens organization in an interview on 105.7 The Fan but the agent never described the Ravens as the front-runners for Yanda.
“Both Marshal and I are very aware that if Baltimore isn’t the best organization in pro football, it’s certainly in the top couple,”
Cornrich told the Baltimore radio station. “Having said that, there’s 31 other clubs and a lot of them are great. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
Asked if that means another team would have to make a substantially better offer to lure Yanda away from the Ravens, Cornich said, “Not necessarily. It’s a question of what is the right fit. And it’s clearly a good fit here. I think it’s a question of staying focused and getting it done. It’s not a decision that Marshal or I are taking lightly.”
Yanda started at right tackle last season after Jared Gaither was sidelined for the entire year with a back injury. But the Ravens are presumably looking to move Yanda back to right guard, which is considered his strongest position.
While offensive tackles typically make more money than guards, Cornrich said Yanda isn’t necessarily looking at contracts given to tackles because top guards command sizable contracts, too.
“I think that’s something we’ll see how the market develops,”
Cornrich said.
Cornrich said the sides talked about a new deal last year and confirmed “some progress”
had been made. “Maybe it will still lead to a deal,”
Cornrich said. “Time will tell.”
Harbaugh made it a point at the NFL combine in February to say the Ravens want Yanda to return. Yanda is young (26), strong and versatile (he can play every position on the offensive line).
"I think he's a good player obviously, a very good player,"
Harbaugh said. "He's one of my favorite guys. He knows that. As a coach, you want those guys back.”
