Ryan Ramczyk has looked every bit the part of an All-Pro offensive lineman throughout his 4-year NFL career.
He’s now on track to be paid like one after signing a 5-year, $96 million contract extension this week, making him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.
But he hasn't always felt like one. In fact he was once on track to become a welder after leaving his first college stop, Division-II Winona State. Ramczyk took a year off from football to pursue other ambitions. If you asked while he was enrolled in tech school, he said this week, he'd have “100 percent” told you his future would come with a welding mask instead of an NFL facemask.
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"It was close, I was taking the classes to go into it," Ramczyk said this week. "But I took that year off and I missed the game of football. Ultimately that had more pull on me."
Ramzcyk returned to the field at D-III program Wisconsin-Stevens Point before eventually transferring to the University of Wisconsin. He starred for the Badgers for two seasons, earning All-American honors in 2016. The Saints selected him No. 32 overall in 2017.
It's a "unique journey" Ramczyk thinks about often, and he says he wouldn't have it any other way as he anchors the right side of the line in New Orleans. But his new contract isn't the only thing the 27-year-old welcomed this offseason. He also celebrated the birth of his son, Jaxon, in January.
“It’s just been spectacular, honestly. ... He’s been a blessing. Loving every minute with him," Ramczyk said. "And then, you know, obviously to get this extension done, a pretty fantastic offseason so far.”
The news of Ramczyk's extension broke Wednesday morning, guaranteeing the right tackle stays under contract well beyond the 5th-year option season on which he was scheduled to earn just over $11 million. While that adds certainty to the Saints' offensive line situation, the quarterback behind that line is still a question mark with training camp looming in July. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are set to compete for the starting job after Drew Brees' retirement.
Even with a shiny new contract -- $60 million of which is guaranteed -- the often-reclusive Ramczyk says he doesn't plan to change how he approaches his job in the slightest.
That work has resulted in first-team All-Pro honors in 2019, not allowing a sack all season, and second-team honors in 2018 and 2020.
"At the end of the day I’m going to go out and do what I always do and train the way I do and prepare the way I do," he said. "It’s cool to see that on social media and stuff, but I’m still me. I’m still gonna be the same guy, same work ethic.”
And if there's a welding job the Saints needs doing, he’s likely got that covered, too.
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