Days after Eric DeCosta restated the Ravens’ objective of keeping as many of their own key players as possible, the general manager added another example to back up his word.
On Friday, veteran tight end Nick Boyle and Baltimore agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2023 season, locking up one of the most important players for a unique run-first offense. Regarded as one of the NFL’s best blockers at his position and often described affectionately as the sixth member of the starting offensive line, Boyle was considered a priority to extend beyond 2021 for an offense DeCosta recently described as “tight end-centric.”
“Nick is a Raven, exactly the type of player deserving of this third contract,” DeCosta said in a statement released by the team. “Ask his teammates, ask his coaches — he’s a backbone for this team. We are very happy for Nick and [his wife] Kristina as we continue to build out our roster.”
According to an NFL Network report, the two-year extension is worth an additional $13 million after Boyle had been due $5.5 million in base salary and scheduled to carry a $7.833 million salary camp number for 2021, which was the sixth largest figure on the team. The extension will reduce Boyle’s cap number by $2 million for the upcoming season, giving DeCosta more flexibility to maneuver this offseason.
Boyle, 27, suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-November, but head coach John Harbaugh said last week that he should return by training camp “at the latest.” Prior to his injury in the Week 10 loss at New England, Boyle had missed only one game over the previous three seasons.
The 2015 fifth-round pick from Delaware is one of the longest-tenured Ravens after overcoming a rough start to his NFL career that included two drug-related suspensions costing him 14 games.
“My family has made this place our home the past five years, and we couldn’t be happier to continue doing so,” Boyle said in a statement. “I truly love this organization and all it has done for me. I am working my hardest every day to get back on the field with my teammates.”
Boyle registered a career-high 31 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, but his receiving ability is considered a bonus to what he does as a blocker. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound tight end remains a linchpin for an offense that’s rushed for more than 6,000 yards over the last two seasons.
The Ravens eventually found their way on the ground after Boyle’s injury in November, but offensive coordinator Greg Roman didn’t sugarcoat how significant a loss it was for the unit.
“We’ll kind of forge a new identity moving forward. That’s just how it goes sometimes,” Roman said in mid-November. “But Nick is probably one of the — if not the — best blocking tight ends in the league in my estimation. Obviously, things will change a little, and you just have to make those adjustments.”
With Boyle now under contract for the next three seasons, focus on the status of 2019 Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews will intensify as he’s scheduled to become a free agent next offseason. DeCosta said the organization would “be foolish to not want to try and keep him” beyond 2021.
