NFL Rumors: Justin Madubuike, Ravens Agree to 4-Year, $98M Contract Ahead of 2024 FA
March 8, 2024
After keeping Justin Madubuike off the open market by giving him the franchise tag, the Baltimore Ravens have struck a long-term deal with their star defensive tackle.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Madubuike agreed to a four-year, $98 million deal that will keep him in Baltimore through the 2027 season. The contract includes $75.5 million in guarantees and $53.5 million at signing.
The Ravens used the franchise tag on Madubuike on March 5 to prevent him from being able to negotiate with other teams when free agency began. He would have been owed $22.1 million if he played on the one-year tender in 2024.
Madubuike has been an ascending player for Baltimore's defense since he was drafted in 2020. He was a third-round pick out of Texas A&M and spent most of his rookie season as a rotation piece on the defensive line.
After recording seven quarterback hits and three sacks in his first two seasons, Madubuike emerged as a solid starter in 2022 when he recorded 5.5 sacks.
The 2023 campaign was a breakout year for Madubuike. The 26-year-old had the ninth-most sacks in the NFL (13) and finished sixth among all defensive tackles in tackles for loss (12). He more than doubled his pressures from the previous season.
As good as Baltimore's offense was last season, led by Lamar Jackson winning his second MVP award, the defense was the Ravens' best unit. They ranked first in points allowed per game (16.5) and DVOA.
Per Aaron Schatz of FTNFantasy.com, the Ravens had the 12th-best defense in DVOA history.
Baltimore did lose defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald when he was hired as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Patrick Queen, one half of the dynamic linebacker duo with Roquan Smith, and Jadeveon Clowney are also free agents.
Retaining Madubuike allows the Ravens to keep their most important defensive lineman. This long-term extension also affords them peace of mind knowing he will be there for several years, and allows them to build the rest of the front four around him.
Expectations were going to be high for the Ravens next season anyway after winning an NFL-best 13 games in 2023. Keeping Madubuike will only help their quest to get over the hump in the playoffs after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.