After reuniting with Tony Jefferson last season, the Ravens are bringing back the veteran safety for 2022.
Baltimore announced the signing of the 30-year-old defensive back on Thursday after he appeared in four games for the Ravens late in 2021, registering 17 tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup while also playing on special teams. Jefferson was promoted to the 53-man roster prior to the season finale against Pittsburgh and was regarded as a good candidate to return, especially after longtime special-teams captain and defensive back Anthony Levine announced his retirement last month.
Jefferson’s initial three-year stint with the Ravens ended after he suffered a serious knee injury early in the 2019 season and was released prior to the final season of a four-year, $34 million deal that had been signed in 2017. He didn’t play in 2020 and was limited to just two games with San Francisco last season before signing to Baltimore’s practice squad in mid-December.
“I don’t think front offices around the league probably thought I was healthy, or I don’t know what their circumstances were when it came to me, regardless of the amount of tape I’ve put out for seven years,” Jefferson said in December. “But I do know I got my opportunity here. They know me here. I just wanted to go out there and showcase that I am healthy and go and play football. That was kind of my mindset if I were to get in — just go out and show.”
Popular in the locker room and widely regarded as a student of the game, Jefferson is expected to compete for an expansive role on special teams while hoping to carve out snaps in sub packages as the Ravens hope to rebound from a forgettable season on defense. Despite Baltimore finishing 30th in pass defense efficiency, last in passing yards allowed, and 27th in passer rating allowed, Jefferson received favorable coverage grades from Pro Football Focus in limited action.
In 104 career games with Arizona, Baltimore, and San Francisco, the 2013 undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma has collected 469 tackles, four interceptions, 23 pass breakups, and 9 1/2 sacks.
