Ravens Re-sign Running Back Gus Edwards, Add Veteran Tackle Ja’Wuan James
The Baltimore Ravens were busy on Monday, agreeing to a two-year extension for running back Gus Edwards. While also adding former Miami Dolphin and Denver Bronco tackle Ja’Wuan James.
The Ravens and Edwards had been working through the offseason on an extension that will keep the 26-year old in Baltimore through 2023. Edwards was eligible to hit the open free agent market next offseason before the two sides reached an extension.
The two-year, $10 million extension brings with it a $3.75 million signing bonus for Edwards. The four year vet is expected to make $1 million in 2021, followed by an increase of $3.25 million in 2022. Finally maxing out at $4.38 million in 2023.
Gus Edwards and up-and-coming star J.K. Dobbins will head the Ravens backfield that will once again look to lead the league in both rush yards and rush attempts.
The Ravens also signed veteran offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James on Monday to a two-year contract worth up to $9 million. A former first round selection of the Miami Dolphins in 2014, James has dealt with some injuries through his seven year NFL career, last playing in only three games in 2019 for the Denver Broncos, James opted out due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
James was released by the Broncos on may 14th after tearing his achilles during a workout away from the teams facility. Due to the injury occurring away from the Broncos facility the $10 million originally guaranteed to James for the 2021 season was denied by the Broncos because the injury could be designated as a “non-football” injury.
In response James is expected to file a grievance against the Broncos for his salary in 2021 as well as for a salary of $5 million in 2022. With James claiming that while the injury occurred away from the team facility, it was under guidance from the Broncos.
The Ravens have given James $500,000 guaranteed for the 2021 season as he rehabs his injury, allowing the Ravens to have James available to them for the 2022 season with a contract just above $8 million with some incentives built in.
With no guarantees for the Ravens at the tackle position going into the 2022 season, with the health of Ronnie Stanley to be determined this upcoming season and the play of newly acquired tackle Alejandro Villanueva yet to be seen. The Ravens get a low risk player in Ja’Wuan James that could be in the mix come next offseason.
