For the past 9 years, he has been one of the anchors of the Ravens' vaunted defense and one of the league's best defensive tackles. But as he enters 2015, Haloti Ngata has plenty to prove to an organization that he let down.
Will he even get that opportunity?
Ngata's four-game suspension in December for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs — he said he tested positive for Adderall — came at a terrible time for both the team and the player. It forced the Ravens to make their playoff push without one of their best players and most respected leaders. It also called into question his future with the team.
Barring an agreement on a contract extension, Ngata will enter the final year of his deal carrying a $16 million salary cap hit. Team officials have said that they want him to be a "Raven for life," and Ngata has said that he wants the same.
The Ravens will have a ton of decisions to make this offseason, but what they decide on Ngata, one of the franchise's best all-time players, may be the biggest one to watch.
(Zrebiec's pick for 2014: Ray Rice)