The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for an AFC playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The two AFC North opponents will face off for the third time in another playoff rematch, as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are doing the same thing this weekend.
The Ravens made headlines by signing linebacker Roquan Smith to a massive five-year, $100 million deal earlier this week.
After Smith was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears, the Ravens wasted no time paying him big bucks to keep him around.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta issued a statement after signing Smith:
Officially official. Statement from GM Eric DeCosta: https://t.co/13iJ7jHkAQ pic.twitter.com/gz2fPta3ks
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023
“We are so excited to announce a five-year extension with Roquan Smith. Since he’s been here, Roquan has been a leader on and off the field, impressing us with his attitude and desire to be great player and teammate every day,” he said.
Smith is now the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history, and he has been marvelous in a short stint with the Ravens.
However, some fans weren’t too thrilled, especially because contract questions still remain about superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson, and it might be another long offseason full of rumors.
If Jackson doesn’t get signed, he will hit the free agent market and likely be granted a massive deal elsewhere, so there could be a changing of the guard under center soon.
Nonetheless, Smith is a terrific player and will bolster the defense for the next five years, at least.
Let’s see what the Ravens do this weekend in what could be Jackson’s final game with the team.
