OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens positioned the franchise tag on defensive deal with Justin Madubuike on Tuesday, conserving their sacks chief from final season from reaching free company.
It was anticipated that Baltimore would use the franchise tag, which is value $22,110,200 for defensive tackles this season. Per week in the past, Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned the workforce would most likely use the tag if the edges could not attain an extension earlier than Tuesday’s deadline to designate franchise gamers.
“Justin is a superb participant and particular person, and we’ll proceed to barter a long-term take care of him,” Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned in a press release.
Madubuike, 26, is coming off a breakout season by which he produced a career-high 13 sacks for a Ravens protection that led the NFL with 60 sacks. By increasing his pass-rush strikes, Madubuike totaled 4.5 extra sacks final season than he did in his first three seasons mixed (8.5 sacks). He’s the primary Ravens defensive deal with to obtain the tag since Haloti Ngata in 2011.
The Ravens might want to create extra cap house to suit Madubuike’s tag below the wage cap by March 13, which is the beginning of the brand new league yr. Baltimore, which is about $13 million below the cap, might want to minimize gamers, restructure contracts or get gamers to take pay cuts to unlock extra cap house.
Baltimore has a historical past of conserving its franchise-tagged gamers long run. Six of the earlier eight gamers tagged by the Ravens have ultimately signed contract extensions, together with quarterback Lamar Jackson final season. The NFL deadline for groups to succeed in a contract extension with tagged gamers is July 15.
By placing the tag on Madubuike, the Ravens now deliver again 4 skilled defensive linemen, together with nostril deal with Michael Pierce and defensive tackles Travis Jones and Broderick Washington. The Ravens’ high free agent on protection turns into Professional Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen.
Final season, Madubuike was the NFL’s best defensive power on the within. His 13 sacks had been the fifth most in a single season by a Baltimore participant and had been tied for probably the most by a Ravens defensive deal with. He grew to become the primary Ravens participant to document double-digit sacks since Terrell Suggs had 11 in 2017.
Madubuike has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, for his constant strain on the inside. His streak of 11 straight video games with not less than a half-sack is tied for the longest in NFL single-season historical past.
He was named second-team All-Professional and was invited to his first Professional Bowl after shattering his profession highs with 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits. Coaches mentioned Madubuike has added other ways to get to the quarterback, bringing down passers with spins, cross-chops and chop-drive strikes.
A 3rd-round decide in 2020, Madubuike has recorded 153 tackles, 21.5 sacks and 49 quarterback hits in his four-year profession.
