Ravens Sign Roquan Smith to Five-Year Deal
The Baltimore Ravens have locked up All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith signing the 25-year old to a five-year $100 million deal, $45 million guaranteed, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The Ravens traded a 2023 second round pick, a 2023 fifth round pick, and linebacker A.J. Klein to the Chicago Bears in October to acquire Smith. Since the trade for Smith the Ravens have returned to being one of the best defenses in the NFL. Before the trade the Ravens ranked 20th in the NFL allowing 22.9 points per game, and ranked 24th in yards allowed per game with 364.3. With the addition of Smith the Ravens have ranked second in the NFL in points per game allowing just 14.7, and rank 3rd in yards allowed per game, allowing 288.8.
Smith was named to his first Pro Bowl this season and has 86 tackles, good for third most on the team, since becoming a Raven. Smith ranks third in the entire NFL with 169 total tackles on the year.
In addition to Smith playing at an elite level, his acquisition to the team has improved the level of play for third-year linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen is having his best season as a Raven, leading the team with 117 tackles, in addition to having five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
