Ravens left tackle Eugene Monroe signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract in March that included $17.5 million guaranteed.
Now, Monroe is coming off a rough season during which he missed the final three games with an ankle injury and four other games earlier in the season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Although undrafted rookie James Hurst had his moments in relief of Monroe, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that Monroe will retain his starting job heading into next season.
"Eugene is our starter going forward, and we're happy to have that being the case," Harbaugh said.
The Ravens chose to keep Monroe on the sideline other than five snaps on special teams during their 35-31 AFC divisional-round playoff game loss to the New England Patriots last Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Monroe had been limited all week in practice and was questionable on the injury report.
"We talked about that, who do we put up," Harbaugh said. "Eugene wasn't 100 percent, but we felt like he was enough to be a good backup for us if we lost one of the tackles.
"We'd rather put Eugene in there at less than 100 percent than have to shuffle the offensive line around again, and credit to him to getting himself back to that kind of position. As far as playing the left tackle spot the whole game where he was at, James was the better option."
Monroe told The Baltimore Sun that he's determined to get back to being healthy and playing better next season.
"Here in the beginning of the offseason, I have plans to do some things to get my body where it needs to be and then hit it hard like I always do," said Monroe, who allowed three sacks, six quarterback hits and 14 quarterback hurries during the regular season in 11 starts. "I'm still chasing it, so nothing changes for me. It stays the same. I won't be outworked, never have been never will be. I will definitely be more prepared for next season."
awilson@baltsun.com