The Ravens have waited for Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair to get released since free agency began two months ago.
They might have to wait a little longer.
According to a league source, the Titans are prepared to hold onto McNair until a week before training camp begins in late July if they don't receive a satisfactory trade offer from the Ravens.
Ravens officials have acknowledged that a resolution could take weeks, but they privately don't expect Tennessee to keep McNair into July.
It is believed the Ravens offered a fifth-round pick for McNair on Sunday, but the talks ended when Tennessee wouldn't budge from its demand for a fourth-round choice.
The Titans, who have less than $500,000 in salary cap room, wouldn't need to free themselves of McNair's $23.46 million cap number until they had to sign their draft picks.
By holding onto McNair, the Titans can make a last-ditch effort to get him to restructure his contract as well as try to strong-arm a better offer from the Ravens, who would prefer to bring in McNair as soon as possible so he can learn the offensive system.
It seems the Titans have little hope of persuading McNair to stay since they gave him permission to speak to the Ravens on Sunday. Initial negotiations between the Ravens and McNair's agent have been very productive, a source said.
One possible reason the Ravens might increase their offer to a fourth-round pick is because another one could be coming from the NFL. After losing nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu, running back Chester Taylor and defensive end Tony Weaver in free agency, the Ravens figure to be in good position to receive at least one compensatory pick in the fourth round of next year's draft.
If McNair lands with the Ravens, he will be warmly welcomed by cornerback Samari Rolle, who played with McNair for seven seasons in Tennessee.
"I think he gives us leadership that we need. He's a competitor," Rolle said. "Everybody knows we definitely underachieved going 6-10 with the type of talent we've got. I don't think we can have a season like we had last year. Having him, it definitely won't happen again.
"In the players' minds, this would put us over the top."
By the Ravens attempting to add McNair, Rolle said the franchise is sending a message to the players.
"I think it lets you know that everyone around here is serious about winning," he said. "The time is now for us. We've got a veteran-laden team and we're not getting any younger."
