The Ravens can shred the franchise tag, at least for this year, for Madubuike.
Justin Madubuike, a flourishing defensive star, and the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to terms on a four-year, $98 million extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday. Included in the deal, according to Rapoport, is $75.5 million guaranteed with $53.5 million guaranteed at the time of signing.
The team later confirmed the extension.
“We are pleased to announce a four-year extension with Justin Madubuike,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement released by the team. “Justin is one of the best defensive tackles in the entire NFL and a cornerstone on our defense.
“We are thrilled for Justin and his family and equally happy for our fan base. This is a great way to start the new league year!”
The Ravens slapped Madubuike with the franchise tag on Tuesday, but it was merely a placeholder as Baltimore took care of its first-time Pro Bowler for the long haul. The are known for being a first class organization that looks out for their guys. The $98 million total value leads the way among interior defensive linemen, per Over the Cap. At an average annual value of $24.5 million, Madubuike leap frogged the New York Jets’ Quinnen Williams for No. 2 among interior D-linemen, trailing only Los Angeles Rams stalwart Aaron Donald ($31.66 million per season).
Embed from Getty ImagesMadubuike could lead to another defensive lineman breaking the bank as Chris Jones is heading toward free agency if he cannot work out a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is looking for a deal north of $30 million per year.
Following three seasons of consistent play with the Ravens after they selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M University, Madubuike had his coming out party in 2023.
The 26-year-old paced all defensive tackles with 13 sacks and matched the league single-season record with at least half a sack in 11 consecutive games. He added career highs of 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.
At his first Pro Bowl Games trip in Orlando, Florida, back in February, Madubuike told NFL.com that Baltimore was “home,” but “business is business, and that side is going to take care of itself.”
On Friday, that side did just that, as Madubuike and Baltimore took care of business in a big way.
The Ravens head into free agency needing a No. 1 running back and help on the offensive line to protect their franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson and pass rush.
This deal continues a trend of the Ravens keeping their franchise-tagged players around long term. Baltimore has reached extensions with seven of the nine players it has tagged in franchise history.
