Baltimore, MD – June 25, 2025
The third-round pick out of Alabama has refused to sign his rookie contract, team sources confirmed to ESPN, shocking Baltimore's front office just weeks before training camp. According to insiders, Green is demanding partial salary guarantees and assurances of early playing time — an unusual ask for a player selected outside the top 75.
At 6'1", 192 pounds, Green is a rangy, ball-hawking safety who recorded 86 tackles and 4 interceptions in his final collegiate season, drawing comparisons to former Raven Chuck Clark.
Green was expected to compete for immediate snaps in a deep secondary, with coaches intrigued by his instincts and physicality during pre-draft workouts. But during the team’s mandatory minicamp from June 10–12, Green sat out key drills, reportedly citing dissatisfaction with contract structure and long-term security.
“It’s not about the money — it’s about being valued like someone who can contribute right away,” a source close to Green told The Athletic.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, known for his firm negotiating stance and long-term roster planning, isn’t entertaining special treatment. He’s holding the line, and according to team sources, has issued a June 27 deadline for Green to agree to standard rookie terms. The proposed contract, valued at approximately $5.2 million, is in line with market expectations for his draft position.
Green’s absence has already shaken up the pecking order in Baltimore’s defensive backfield. Young players like Tre Swilling and Jalyn Armour-Davis have benefited from extra reps, while Ar’Darius Washington impressed coaches with his versatility and vocal leadership throughout minicamp.
Baltimore’s defense allowed just 285.1 passing yards per game last season and ranked among the league leaders in takeaways. With expectations sky-high following a deep playoff run in 2024, the Ravens are prioritizing cohesion and discipline. Green’s contract standoff threatens both.
“We don’t hold spots open — we fill them,” one Ravens assistant coach said anonymously. “Mike’s got the talent. But timing matters, too.”
Should the impasse continue, the Ravens are prepared to pivot. Internal options remain strong, and the team is reportedly monitoring potential veteran additions via free agency if Green’s holdout drags into camp.
Whether Green signs in time to carve out a role or ends up watching the season from the sidelines is now entirely up to him. The door is open — but it won’t stay open forever.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
