While the Ravens are gearing up for a potential Super Bowl run as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, general manager Eric DeCosta isn’t wasting any time getting a head start on preparations for the 2024 season.
According to ESPN, Baltimore has agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension with nose tackle Michael Pierce, keeping the veteran under contract through the 2025 season. The 31-year-old was scheduled to become a free agent in March after taking a pay cut last offseason, but he has started every contest this season, the first time he’s appeared in every contest since 2017. Pierce appeared in a total of just 11 games over the previous three seasons because of injuries and his 2020 opt-out because of the pandemic.
The 6-foot, 355-pound nose tackle entered Week 18 having already played a career-high 605 snaps, collecting 36 tackles, one sack, three quarterback hits, two deflected passes, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Pierce is the second Ravens defensive lineman to receive a contract extension since the start of training camp, joining fourth-year defensive tackle Broderick Washington. Of course, the most critical offseason objective pertaining to that position group will be re-signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who is on his way to a massive payday after registering a career-high 13 sacks over the first 16 games of the season. Signing Madubuike prior to free agency will likely be a tall order, which could result in Baltimore using the franchise tag on the 2020 third-round pick out of Texas A&M.
Edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and 5-technique defensive end Brent Urban are also scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.
