The Baltimore Ravens are known for two things: A fast, physical defense with playmakers all over the field and a stout running game. On Wednesday afternoon, the team made a pair of moves that are perfectly in line with both of those things by going out and acquiring two of the top free agents remaining.
Baltimore decided to bolster its defensive backfield by getting Earl Thomas, the former Seattle Seahawks’ All-Pro safety who was expected to head elsewhere this offseason. While Thomas suffered a broken leg this past year, he’s still viewed as one of the best safeties in the game, and was compensated for that by his new squad.
Former Seahawks’ S Earl Thomas intends to sign a four-year, $55 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed at signing with the Baltimore Ravens, league source tells ESPN. Deal includes $22 million in first nine months.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
This deal averages $14.33M over the first three years, I’m told, right behind Landon Collins. He gets $32M guaranteed. https://t.co/hTZ72BOKe1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
Thomas went onto Twitter after news of the deal broke and was awfully happy, as was his team’s starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
Yeaaaaaaaa !! 💰🙏🏾
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) March 13, 2019
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 13, 2019
Jackson’s day got a little bit better shortly after the Thomas news broke. The Ravens decided to give Jackson a new partner in the backfield in the former of Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram.
Former Saints’ RB Mark Ingram intends to sign a three-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, per @diannaESPN and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Source: The #Ravens have now locked RB Mark Ingram on a 3-year deal worth $15M. @MikeSilver said it was coming yesterday. Just got done.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
It was presumed that Ingram’s time in New Orleans was going to come to an end when the team signed Latavius Murray on Tuesday, and now, he’ll head to a fascinating situation in Baltimore. The Ravens killed teams on the ground last year once Jackson took over under center, and if Jackson can keep up his mastery of the ground game and take a step forward as a passer, having Ingram line up next to him will give opposing defenses fits.
So much of the hype in the AFC North this offseason has surrounded the Browns, especially after the team acquired Odell Beckham Jr. on Tuesday night. Both of these moves, however, show that the Ravens plan on being just as formidable as ever in 2019.
