The Baltimore Ravens did not postpone extending linebacker Roquan Smith’s contract until the offseason.
The two parties reached an agreement on a five-year, $100 million contract, with $60 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday. The amount is the highest ever given to an off-ball linebacker.
He earns more on average ($20 million) than Shaquille Leonard ($19.7 million) of the Indianapolis Colts.
Since the Ravens are now free to utilize the franchise tag on another important free agent, Lamar Jackson, locking up Smith now could have significant ramifications for the team’s offseason.
How much should Roquan Smith get paid?
With the Chicago Bears, Roquan Smith agreed to a four-year, $18,477,168 deal that has an $11,517,941 signing bonus, $18,477,168 in guaranteed money, and an average yearly salary of $4,619,292.
How much money did Roquan Smith ask for?
Smith’s fifth-year option will pay him $9.735 million this season, and he has expressed publicly his desire for an extension. Throughout the league, it’s rumored that Smith wants a deal with an average annual value of roughly $20 million.