Baltimore Ravens re-sign OLB Pernell McPhee, Tender three others
While the start of NFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday. The Baltimore Ravens front office has worked hard this week to sign and retain their own pending free agents. A free agent list that includes many key defensive players from the 2020 season.
The Ravens took their first steps on Friday to retain some of those key defensive players by re-signing OLB Pernell McPhee. McPhee, now in his second stint with the Ravens after being drafted by the club in 2011, had his best season as a Raven in 2020, playing in 15 games starting 13. McPhee was able to finishing the year with 34 combined tackles, to go along with 15 quarterback hits. The details of the deal have not yet been reported but this signing gives the Ravens a much needed body at the linebacker position. One that is being hit hard this free agency. Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, Tyus Bowser, and Jihad Ward are all pending free agents this off season.
The Ravens this week were also able to place tenders on three of their restricted free agents. Running back Gus Edwards, Center Trystan Colon-Castillo and linebacker Kristian Welch. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta made it clear in his Tuesday press conference that Edwards would remain a Raven for the 2021 season, even if the two sides could not agree to a long-term deal.
“We’re going to certainly tender him if we don’t get a long-term deal done, but he is a Raven”, DeCosta said on Tuesday. Edwards had another standout year last season with a career high six touchdowns, as well as a career high in yards with 723 on 144 carries.
The work is just beginning for the Ravens this offseason as they look to build their roster for 2021. They currently look to open up free agency with around 20 million in cap space after restructuring Cornerback Marcus Peters 11.5 million dollar contract on Friday. Saving 3.5 million on the cap.
