The Baltimore Ravens took care of some big business on Tuesday, locking up Roquan Smith to a hefty five-year extension. As per a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter)., Smith and the Ravens on working on an agreement that will see him paid, $100 million.
This sets a new standard for linebackers in the NFL and he is now the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history. The deal will see Smith get $45 million guaranteed when the deal is signed and a total of $60 million guaranteed in total. A $22.5MM signing bonus represents part of Smith’s guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC tweets.
Smith was unable to come to terms with the Chicago Bears on a long-term deal ahead of the season. As such, he was traded to the Ravens for second and fifth-round picks. The Ravens surely felt the need to get this deal done after making the move and before the legal tampering period began in the NFL. Things didn’t get anywhere close to that happening.
Roquan represented himself during the negotiations. With this deal, the Ravens keep the franchise tag available for Lamar Jackson.
