Imagine the NFL’s free agency period as a high-stakes poker game. Every team is bluffing, raising, and occasionally getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar. For Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley—Lamar Jackson’s longtime blindside protector—the offseason felt more like a game of Monopoly.

Everyone wanted Boardwalk, but Baltimore wasn’t selling. Stanley’s loyalty to the Ravens seemed as unshakable as a Brett Favre streak, but whispers of backroom deals began swirling faster than a Hail Mary in a snowstorm. Then, the league’s tampering alarm bells started ringing.

Just days before Free Agency’s legal tampering window opened March 11, Stanley inked a three-year, $60 million extension with Baltimore. But according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, three teams—the Chiefs, Commanders, and Patriots—had already slid into Stanley’s DMs with offers upwards of $20M annually. The problem?

Stanley was still under contract. Cue the NFL’s version of The Wire: “You come at the king, you best not miss.” Meanwhile, the NFL hasn’t confirmed violations yet, but history looms large.

In 2022, the Dolphins lost two draft picks and $1.5 million for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Could the Chiefs, Commanders, or Patriots face similar heat? Besides, tampering is like a holding penalty—everyone does it, but only some get flagged. But Kansas City’s interest in Stanley wasn’t subtle.

According to MLFootball, Kansas City reportedly offered around $20 million, while Washington went even higher with over $24 million per year. This happened before the legal tampering window opened on March 10, when the Chiefs officially signed Jaylon Moore.

The Athletic’s Nate Taylor reported the Chiefs “pivoted” to signing 49ers backup Jaylon Moore only after Stanley re-signed. Moore’s two−year, $30 million deal raised eyebrows faster than a Philly fan booing Santa. The 26-year-old has just 12 career starts, but the Chiefs see potential.

The Chiefs see Moore as “an underrated and ascending player,” per Taylor. Critics argue paying $15 million annually for a backup turned starter is riskier than a fourth and long flea flicker. Meanwhile, Stanley’s Ravens contract includes sneaky cap tricks, with a 2025 hit under $6M—a steal for protecting Jackson.

Cap space chess & the Ronnie Stanley fallout

The Chiefs entered the week $9M over the cap. To comply by Wednesday’s deadline, they’ll likely restructure Patrick Mahomes‘ $32.3M salary into bonuses. Chris Jones and Travis Kelce could follow. It’s like refinancing your house to buy a Ferrari. Kansas City also needs a long-term deal for franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith, whose $23.4M tag strains their budget.

Baltimore’s front office is grinning like Bill Belichick after a draft steal. Keeping Ronnie Stanley ensures continuity for Jackson, who’s thrived behind the 2019 All-Pro. Meanwhile, Washington and New England face questions about their pursuit. The Commanders’ $24M offer to Stanley—a player they couldn’t legally court—smacks of desperation, like the Browns trading draft picks for a QB curse.

NFL rules forbid contact with under-contract players, but the “legal tampering” window often feels like a loophole. Teams push boundaries because the reward more often than not outweighs the risk. If punished, the Chiefs could lose draft capital—a brutal blow for a team who three-peat dream got crushed a month ago.

Kansas City’s offseason already feels like a Rocky montage: gritty, unpredictable, and full of haymakers. The NFL is a vicious business. You must stay cool, calm, and slightly behind the scenes. For the Chiefs, staying calm means navigating cap hell and tampering storms. For the Ravens, it’s savoring a win while rivals scramble. And for fans?

It’s wondering: In a league where rules bend like a Lamar Jackson juke, does anyone truly play fair?