Roquan Smith is having quite the week.
The newest signee for the Baltimore Ravens has had a three-day stretch that is unlike any other that he has experienced in the NFL.
This has been quite a week for Ravens MLB Roquan Smith:
💰Reaches agreement on 5-year extension on Tuesday
🏅Voted team MVP by local media on Wednesday
🏈Named AFC Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 12, 2023
First, he signed a five-year, $100 million extension on Tuesday.
This contract was the highest in NFL history for an off-ball linebacker like Smith, and he has proven that he is worth every penny.
Yesterday, local Baltimore media voted Smith as the team’s MVP, and earlier today was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month by the league.
This was the first time that Smith has received this accolade in his five years in the league, and he was also named to his first career Pro Bowl earlier in the year.
2023 has proven to be off to a pretty fantastic start for Smith.
Let’s see if that continues, seeing that the Ravens have their first playoff game this weekend, against their division rival Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals have an improved offensive line this season, and Smith will meet his share of challenges getting to the quarterback, Joe Burrow.
In this game, Smith and the Ravens will be challenged by running back Joe Mixon, and wide receivers Ja’Maar Chase and Tee Higgins, making their life difficult from a defensive perspective.
Regardless of the outcome of their playoff game, the Ravens should be in a great place for the 2023 season and beyond, especially considering their willingness to lock down a marquee defender like Smith.
Tune in on Sunday for this divisional playoff matchup.
