The Baltimore Ravens handed franchised linebacker Terrell Suggs a six-year deal worth around $62.5 million.
Defensive star handed mega money contract to stay in Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens agreed on a big-money contract with Terrell Suggs on Wednesday - handing their franchised linebacker a six-year deal worth around $62.5 million.
26-year-old Suggs was franchised by the Ravens, and would have earned $10 million next season had he not signed a new deal, but would then have become a free agent.
Just hours before Wednesday night's deadline, the Ravens struck the deal to keep their powerful linebacker, who has worn the franchise tag for the last two seasons.
After now signing a deal, the Ravens will have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL back in training camp with the rest of the team on July 30, as he could have missed most of the camp as a franchise player.
"I am glad it is over. Now we can get back to football," said Suggs. "Getting this done took compromises on both ends.
Staying put
"I wanted to stay in purple and black, the Ravens wanted to keep me in purple and black, and they stepped up and showed me that.
"I'm looking forward to showing them that they didn't make a mistake and they got the right guy."
Three-time Pro Bowler Suggs is believed to be getting $40 million over the first two years of a deal worth an estimated $62,5 million overall.
"Getting a deal done with Terrell is consistent with our history of retaining our best Pro Bowl players, like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.
"Securing Terrell for six seasons gives us a premier pass-rusher whose ability to stop the run does not get enough credit."
Defensive star
Arizona State product Suggs arrived in Baltimore as the 10th overall pick of the 2003 draft and has spent his entire NFL career with the Ravens, where he has 53 sacks and 19 forced fumbles and has not yet missed a game.
Coach John Harbaugh is delighted to not have any headache over Suggs' participation in training camp after signing his deal.
"I was already excited to start training camp, and now having Terrell there makes it that much better," Harbaugh added.
"He is a great player, a tremendous person and an outstanding young leader. He's a foundation for our defense to stay at the highest level."
