Ravens’ Roquan Smith Signs 5-Year, $100M Extension

The Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Roquan Smith have agreed to a five-year, $100 million extension, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
. The deal will be the first $20 million per year contract handed out to an off-ball linebacker. 

Baltimore acquired Smith from the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 fifth-round pick and linebacker A.J. Klein. Smith originally requested a trade back in August following failed negotiations for an extension after accusing the Bears fo rnegotiating in bad faith. 

The fifth-year linebacker finished the season with a career-high 169 combined tackles, including 86 for the Ravens. Smith’s arrival also coincided with a major turnaround for the Ravens defense. Through the first eight weeks of the season, Baltimore ranked 15th in the league with a 1.3% defensive DVOA. From Smith’s first game in Week 9 through Week 18, the Ravens posted a third-best -16.5% defensive DVOA. Baltimore also jumped from 22nd in defensive rush defense (-0.4%) through the first eight weeks to second-best in the league (-30.6%).