OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens' most expensive offseason move could be made over the next couple of weeks.
Just don't ask the Ravens about it.
Baltimore is expected to place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to keep the first-time Pro Bowl player from reaching free agency next month. The window to use the tag begins Tuesday and ends March 5 at 4 p.m. ET. Using the tag to keep Madubuike is an easy decision. The challenge is fitting the tag under Baltimore's tight salary cap.
Asked at the end-of-season press conference about whether Baltimore plans to place the tag on Madubuike, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta brought up the contract talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson last year.