(Audacy) The Ravens have signed a key member of their defense to a lucrative long-term extension.
The team has reached a five-year, $100-million extension with inside linebacker Roquan Smith, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
Smith, 25, was acquired from the Bears in exchange for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and linebacker A.J. Klein in late October. The Bears selected the former Georgia Bulldogs star Smith with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Smith's arrival in Baltimore seemed to herald a marked turnaround for the Ravens' previously beleaguered defense, which was allowed just 14.6 points allowed per game in his nine contests with the team. The Ravens went 5-4 in that span, largely because of a sputtering offense, which was without the services of starting quarterback Lamar Jackson for the final five-plus games of the regular season due to a knee injury.
Smith's new deal calls for $45 million guaranteed at signing and $60 million in total guarantees, making him the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in league history, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Smith's 169 tackles were the third-most in the NFL in the regular season. He also excelled in pass coverage, tallying six passes defended and three interceptions. His exploits earned him his first career Pro Bowl nod. He was second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker