With the Ravens signing All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey to a five-year extension worth a reported $98.75 million through the 2026 season, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Humphrey was already on his way to becoming a Pro Bowl cornerback when he willingly moved to the nickel spot when the Ravens had a need last year. That versatility and willingness to step outside his comfort zone cemented his value as someone to lock up as soon as possible.
2. We’ve discussed Baltimore’s upcoming high-profile free agents ad nauseam, but I always considered Humphrey to be the top priority after the obvious extension of Lamar Jackson. It feels like he’s already been a Raven for a long time, but he just turned 24 in July.
3. His age is a reason why there’s little hesitation making him the second-highest paid cornerback in the league behind Jalen Ramsey. It was either pay him market value now or wait out another potential Pro Bowl season when Humphrey could have an even stronger case to eclipse Ramsey.
4. Wink Martindale called Humphrey “one of those players who could play in any era” since he covers at an elite level, tackles like a linebacker, and has a knack for taking the ball away. That’s why it’s easy envisioning a successful Rod Woodson-like transition to safety later in his career.
5. Where did Humphrey get the drive to be an all-around player and not just a cover corner like Deion Sanders? He had a high school coach who jokingly called him a “track guy” who wasn’t trying to hit anybody. That apparently struck a nerve.
6. Players always downplay the money and state their desire to stay with a team for the rest of their career publicly, but you see Humphrey’s passion watching him at practice. Whether hooping and hollering, tutoring a young teammate, or jumping in for a scout-team rep, he just loves football.
7. Humphrey doesn’t fit the mold of past alpha dogs on the Ravens defense such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, or Terrell Suggs, but such an extension is accompanied by an expectation to embrace a more prominent leadership role in his own way. I suspect he’ll be up to that challenge.
8. I can’t help but think Humphrey is what Jimmy Smith would have become had injuries not been such an unfortunate obstacle. That’s not meant as a knock on Smith who’s still managed a fine career, but his health always prevented him from taking that next step toward greatness.
9. Big extensions always carry risk, but Humphrey was an above-average player from the moment he arrived and has only gotten better. Unlike the deal that made Tavon Young the league’s highest-paid slot corner, this contract isn’t leaning too hard on projection as much as keeping a young, proven commodity.
10. I have to think Ronnie Stanley’s representation wasn’t thrilled to see the first-round pick taken the year after him get his payday before the All-Pro left tackle. The Laremy Tunsil extension with Houston blew up the left tackle market, which makes a 2021 franchise tag feel more likely every day.
11. Humphrey was quite emotional speaking about his father and former NFL running back Bobby Humphrey, who “never just kept his foot off” his son’s football dreams from a young age. Anyone blessed with a supportive family can certainly relate to that emotion and gratitude.
Family Zoom call to cap the day…lil sis got a Cookie Cake😂❤️ Life is good pic.twitter.com/pLPmW8p6qU
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) October 2, 2020
12. Asked how he plans to spend his first upgraded paycheck, Humphrey anticipated his dad staying on him about making smart financial decisions, noting how he alerted the cornerback that Matthew Judon had ordered a pizza on Humphrey’s account when they played in Houston. I think he’ll be OK.
