After years of grappling with injuries, Ronnie Stanley stands ready to reclaim his place as a pivotal force on the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line. Over the past four seasons, the left tackle has seen his career impacted by a series of setbacks, casting uncertainty over his future in the NFL. However, Stanley’s recent return to form is a testament to his resilience and dedication.
Stanley’s roller coaster journey began in earnest in 2020, a year in which he managed to play just six games. The injury woes continued, limiting him to a single appearance in the 2021 season. Despite these challenges, Stanley’s determination remained unwavering. By 2022, signs of a comeback were evident as he participated in 11 games. Last season, he was back on the field for 13 games, a significant improvement and an essential contribution to the Ravens’ efforts.
The 2023 season marked a milestone for Stanley. Not only did he significantly improve his participation, but he was also selected for the Pro Bowl, underscoring his return to elite status despite the adversities faced. Nonetheless, Stanley’s road to recovery played out beyond the gridiron.
Off the field, Stanley made strategic adjustments to his contract, reducing his base salary from $11 million to $3 million. This move, coupled with a restructuring that sets him to become a free agent a year earlier with 2025 as a void year, has been part of his broader strategy to manage his career trajectory. His focus, however, remained on rebuilding his physical conditioning and regaining his competitive edge.
Stanley’s commitment to offseason training and participation in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) has been instrumental in his revitalization. Speaking candidly about his journey, Stanley reflected on the uncertainty that clouded his perspective during his younger years. "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 shared.
The rigorous regimen of drills and conditioning has paid dividends. Stanley expressed a palpable sense of progress and personal satisfaction. "To truly feel like that and be out there and just notice myself getting better every day and feeling more like my old self every day, it definitely makes me happy," he commented. The gradual return to form has been a source of immense joy and fulfillment for the athlete. For Stanley, the renewed physical capability translates directly to increased contentment. "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier," he emphasized.
The offseason offered glimpses of Stanley’s regained prowess. "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 recalled. Nevertheless, the true test came when translating these gains to football performance. "But it’s all different when you have to translate it to football. 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," he explained.
As Stanley continues his path forward, he approaches each game with a renewed sense of confidence and assurance in his abilities. "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," he noted. The culmination of all these efforts is a return to a state where he feels completely himself again. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," he affirmed.
As the Ravens prepare for the 2024 NFL season, Stanley's resurgence holds significant promise for the team. His experience, skill, and resilience will be vital assets as Baltimore aims to solidify its position as a formidable contender. In the face of adversity, Ronnie Stanley's journey is a remarkable narrative of perseverance and triumph, inspiring both teammates and fans alike.