The Baltimore Ravens acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears roquan smith at the trade deadline for second-round and fifth-round picks in the 2023 Draft in order to revive the defense.
linebacker finished the 2022 regular season as the league’s third-best player in tackles with 169 and his first invitation to the Pro Bowl. Therefore, the Baltimore management decided to expand its relationship with Smith.
Smith’s contract ran out at the end of the 2022 NFL season, but according to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, now he will stay with the Ravens for the next five years in exchange for 100 million dollars.
This new labor agreement makes it the highest paid inside linebacker in the entire NFL with 20 million per year. That spot belonged to Shaquille Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts, since he earns an average of $19.7 million each season.
Of the total money Smith will acquire, 45 million are fully guaranteed and there are another 15 that could be added to the total mandatory income.
Their effect with Baltimore was such that since their trade they went from occupying the 20th position in points allowed to being the second best in that category. Also, yards against dropped from 364.3 to 288.8 per game.
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no representative
The Smith agreement sets an important precedent because the linebacker reached an agreement with the Baltimore management without any intermediary.
This could mean a good path for Lamar Jackson, who also does not have a representative and is seeking a contract extension. The quarterback played under a fifth-year option on his rookie contract and earned $23 million in 2022.
In the event that the 2019 MVP and general manager Eric DeCosta cannot reach an agreement, there is the possibility of using the franchise player tag.