Using the second Friday of the free-agent signing period to strengthen their special teams, the Ravens have re-signed linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.
The three-time Pro Bowl special teams standout will remain in Baltimore on a three-year contract, according to Pro Football Talk. Ayanbadejo has spent the last four seasons with the Ravens, playing an active role in the special teams units as well as providing depth at the linebacker position.
After spending three years with the Chicago Bears, the 35-year-old has seen an increased role defensively in Baltimore in the defense’s nickel package and was regarded as one of the Ravens’ best pass-coverage linebackers. Ayanbadejo becomes the second unrestricted free agent to stay with the Ravens after veteran center Matt Birk signed a new three-year deal last week.
Ayanbadejo ranked second on the team with nine special teams tackles and also recovered a fumble. Defensively, he finished with 27 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, and two pass breakups.
Earlier in the day, the Ravens agreed to a two-year deal with former Bears cornerback Corey Graham, who was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl as a special teams standout for Chicago.
Prior to the signings of Ayanbadejo and Graham, the Ravens were projected to have just under $5 million in salary cap room.
Ravens bolster special teams by re-signing Ayanbadejo to three-year deal
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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