Ravens free-agency tracker: Keep up with every offseason move

The “legal tampering” period — which marks the start of NFL free agency — began March 11. A new deal for defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, coupled with Lamar Jackson’s escalating contract, leaves Baltimore without much room under the salary cap — though general manager Eric DeCosta will no doubt use all the tools at his disposal to free space.

We’ll update this post as news trickles out about players leaving, joining or returning to the Ravens.

RB J.K. Dobbins → Los Angeles Chargers

J.K. Dobbins is starting over and moving on.

The former Ravens running back is expected to agree to a one-year deal with the Chargers, according to his agency, giving the talented but injury-prone 25-year-old a clean break from Baltimore after four topsy-turvy seasons. He’ll reunite with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and former Ravens running back Gus Edwards in Los Angeles.

Dobbins played just 24 of a possible 67 games over his Ravens career and is recovering from his second season-ending injury in three years. He tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1, just over two years after he tore the ACL, LCL and meniscus in his left knee, along with his hamstring, in the Ravens’ 2021 preseason finale.

When healthy, Dobbins was one of the NFL’s most productive ball carriers. As a second-round pick in 2020, he led all running backs in yards per carry (6.0). Overall, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry with the Ravens, the most of any running back with at least 200 carries over the past four years, and finished with 1,347 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 27 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown.

Injuries limited Dobbins and quarterback Lamar Jackson to just 20 games together. When they shared the field, the Ravens averaged an incredible 0.19 expected points added per rush — the league average over the past four years was minus-0.05 — and 6.1 yards per carry, according to TruMedia.

Dobbins was perhaps never more impressive than at the end of the 2022 season, when he helped lift a Ravens offense missing Jackson and starting wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay. After returning from arthroscopic knee surgery in Week 14, he averaged 6.6 yards per carry and 91.8 rushing yards per game over five regular-season and playoff showings. In a rare road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dobbins rushed 15 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. A week later, he had 13 carries for 125 yards in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

But Dobbins’ intense self-belief could also overshadow his obvious talent. After he was overlooked as a red-zone option in the Ravens’ 2022 playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Dobbins called out the team’s play-calling. “I should be the guy,” Dobbins said. “I’m tired of holding that back. I’m tired of that. [Thirteen carries], it’s the playoffs. I’m tired of holding that back. Let’s go win the game. I’m tired of that.”

Last offseason, entering the final year of his rookie contract, Dobbins missed mandatory minicamp and the first 2 1/2 weeks of training camp while on the physically-unable-to-perform list with an unspecified injury. Running back Melvin Gordon III told The Baltimore Banner that Dobbins was “sitting out” camp. Dobbins said after returning to practice that he was being cautious.

“My teammates need me, so I want to be there for my teammates and that’s all it was,” he said. “My teammates understood what was going on, so it’s all good now. I’m out here.”

Ahead of the Ravens’ season opener against the Houston Texans, general manager Eric DeCosta sidestepped a question about his concern over Dobbins’ injury history when considering a contract extension.

“We love J.K.,” he said in September. “When he’s played, he’s been a warrior. He’s played through injuries when he’s been able to. A very talented guy, a great attitude. He’s a leader; I think he’s respected. I have a strong affinity for him, personally, and we’re very excited that he’s back. He’s healthy this year. He looks great, and he’s ready to go.”

About a week later, Dobbins limped off the field with his Achilles injury. In early March, he shared footage of him running on X, formerly known as Twitter. Dobbins, who became conversational in Spanish over his time in Baltimore, included a hashtag on the post, writing: “#LaVuelta.” Translation: “The Return.”

CB Rock Ya-Sin → San Francisco 49ers

Another member of the defensive backfield is gone. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ya-Sin dealt with injury last season but played 14 games. He helped fill in for Marlon Humphrey but played a smaller role in the rotation as Arthur Maulet and Ronald Darby pushed for more reps.

Ya-Sin’s best game was against the Miami Dolphins when he played 81% of the defensive snaps and made two tackles. He also played 97% of the snaps against the Steelers when the Ravens rested their starters. Ya-Sin primarily contributed on special teams, and he finished the season with 13 tackles.

WR Deonte Harty → Baltimore Ravens

With Devin Duvernay gone, the Ravens brought in another Pro Bowl returner when they signed Deonte Harty. Harty was a rookie undrafted free agent when he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2019. After making the 53-man roster, he finished the season as a Pro Bowler for his work on special teams.

Harty, 26, most recently played for the Buffalo Bills, and he returned a punt for a touchdown to spark a fourth-quarter comeback against the Miami Dolphins. That win made the Bills the regular-season AFC East champions. Harty also contributed on offense as a receiver, making 15 catches for 150 yards. He played in 16 games and started one.

OLB Kyle Van Noy ↔ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens took much less time to finalize a deal with Kyle Van Noy this time. A two-year, $10 million deal returns the third-highest sack leader from last season.

The Ravens and Van Noy could not come to an agreement in the 2023 offseason, but when they finally signed Van Noy ahead of Week 4, the contract worked out well for both camps. The 32-year-old started only three of the 14 games he played, but he was a significant part of the rotation at outside linebacker.

By his third week as a Raven, Van Noy had recorded his third sack and worked his way up from playing a third of the defensive snaps to over half. He racked up nine sacks, by far the most of his career (his next closest was 6.5 sacks in 2019, when he played one more game). He also finished with 30 tackles and two forced fumbles.

C Sam Mustipher → Denver Broncos

Center Sam Mustipher, an Owings Mills native who started two games last season in Baltimore, has signed with the Denver Broncos.

Mustipher allowed just two quarterback pressures and didn’t give up a sack in 110 pass blocking snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He also graded out as a solid run blocker.

Mustipher appeared in nine games in his one year in Baltimore, starting Week 2 and Week 3 in place of the injured Tyler Linderbaum. His departure leaves the Ravens without an obvious backup at center, though Patrick Mekari has experience in the middle.

OLB Jadeveon Clowney → Carolina Panthers

One of the Ravens’ best pass rushers won’t be back for 2024. Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, the team announced. The deal is for two years and $20 million, with incentives potentially adding $4 million, according to ESPN.

Clowney was always meant to be a Raven, coach John Harbaugh said throughout the year. He fit right into the locker room and the field, bringing an intensity and a fearlessness to go with hard-hitting defense.

After signing late with the Ravens, Clowney became an essential part of the defense as it dealt with injuries. Clowney has played defensive end and outside linebacker through his career, and his versatility fit well with Mike Macdonald’s defense.

He started 15 of 17 games and finished with 9.5 sacks, which he enthusiastically celebrated because the last sack not only tied his career best but triggered a $750,000 bonus. He also had 43 tackles and two forced fumbles. It was his best season since he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018, although he came close to posting similar numbers in 2021.

At exit interviews, Clowney said this was a “special group” that made things fun.

“Sure hope so,” Clowney said when asked if he would like to return to Baltimore. “Like I said, I enjoyed coming to work. It made my life a lot easier this year. That’s probably why I played at a high level because I [didn’t] have any pressure. I would just come in, have fun and be yourself and just play ball. There was never any pressure throughout the week on anybody, but, yes, I would love to come back here.”

CB Ka’Dar Hollman → Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens added depth cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman on a one-year, $1,055,000 contract. Hollman most recently played for the Texans. However, he has been all over the league during his four-year career. The Ravens are his 10th roster change and his eighth team.

Last season, he played all 17 games with one start for the Texans, who finished the season toward the bottom of league rankings in passing defense. Hollman had one fumble recovery and 10 tackles but spent most of his time on special teams.

OL Josh Jones → Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens signed a versatile offensive lineman, Josh Jones, to a one-year deal. The Arizona Cardinals’ third-round draft pick in 2020, Jones played 47 games over three years before being traded to the Texans.

Jones appeared in 13 games in Houston. In his first three, including the season-opening loss to the Ravens, he played every offensive snap. He was inactive the next two games. After returning in Week 6, he played only 10 offensive snaps the rest of the season. He allowed one sack and nine quarterback pressures and committed five penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.

Although he spent most of last season on the left side, Jones has played tackle and guard on both sides of the line.

ILB Chris Board → Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are reuniting with inside linebacker Chris Board, according to his agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Board, 28, began his NFL career with the Ravens in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. He appeared in 63 games over four years, starting two and becoming one of the team’s most dependable special teams players.

Board signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Detroit Lions in 2022 and a two-year, $5 million contract with the New England Patriots last offseason, playing at least 80% of the special teams snaps in both seasons. He had 21 tackles in Detroit and 10 in New England.

But Board was released in March, giving the Ravens a potential replacement for inside linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips, who signed with the Houston Texans last week after leading the team in special snaps. As a salary cap casualty, Board also will not count against the Ravens in the compensatory-pick formula.

CB Arthur Maulet ↔ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are signing slot cornerback Arthur Maulet, who helped carry their defense through injuries, to a two-year extension, the team announced.

With starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey in and out of the lineup, Arthur Maulet was part of the rotation that saw additional reps in the secondary, splitting snaps with Rock Ya-Sin or Ronald Darby. Maulet also filled in at nickel when safety Kyle Hamilton was injured. While there, he helped out in all levels of the defense and stood out as a blitzer.

As a depth player, Maulet started in three games and played in 14 for the Ravens. He finished with 37 tackles, two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries. In addition to his contributions on defense, Maulet played special teams in all 14 games he played.

The Ravens signed Maulet, then a six-year veteran, last July after he spent two seasons with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

RG Kevin Zeitler → Detroit Lions

Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler has agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, the third starter to depart from a Ravens offensive line set to be dramatically remade this offseason.

With left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses acquired last week by the New York Jets, the Ravens have lost three starters from what was one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in 2023.

Zeitler’s exit, while expected, leaves a gaping hole up front. The 34-year-old started all but four games over the past three seasons for the Ravens and led the team in total snaps (3,217) over that span. He earned Pro Bowl honors last season for the first time in his 12-year career.

Zeitler’s arrival in 2021 brought stability that had been missing in the year since Marshal Yanda’s retirement. Zeitler graded out as a top-15 guard each of the past three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus, surpassing the expectations set by his three-year, $22.5 million contract. He allowed just six sacks in 1,979 pass-blocking snaps (0.3% rate).

Still, Zeitler was not invulnerable to wear and tear. He sat out a Week 14 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 because of a knee injury — just his second missed game since 2015 — and was inactive for the Ravens’ final two regular-season games last season because of another knee injury.

In Zeitler’s absence, the Ravens got a look at his potential successor. Ben Cleveland, a third-round pick in 2021, graded out as PFF’s No. 5 guard in Week 17 and Week 18 and could be poised for the kind of fourth-year breakout that Ben Powers enjoyed at left guard in 2022.

The Ravens are also hoping for continued development from Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, a sixth-round pick who didn’t appear in any games as a rookie, and Andrew Vorhees, a seventh-round pick who spent his first year in Baltimore recovering from an ACL tear he suffered at the NFL scouting combine.

Zeitler, whose blue-collar approach to the sport made him one of the Ravens’ most respected veterans, expressed hope after the team’s playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that he would return to Baltimore. But after his void-year deadline passed without an extension, a reunion appeared unlikely.

“Obviously, I want to be back as a Baltimore Raven, there is no doubt about that,” Zeitler said in January. “I’ve loved my time here, I love the people here, love my teammates here, and I want to keep playing with them. Hopefully, that business side of football can be figured out nice and quick, and we can get that taken care of.”

QB Tyler Huntley → Cleveland Browns

Former Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley is signing with the Cleveland Browns, according to reports, ending his three-year run as Lamar Jackson’s backup in Baltimore.

Huntley’s expected departure casts new uncertainty on the position, which Jackson’s injury history has elevated in importance. The Ravens looked into signing a high-end backup quarterback last offseason before ultimately re-signing Huntley, a restricted free agent, to a one-year, $2.7 million deal.

The Ravens already have a potential in-house replacement lined up. In December, they signed Malik Cunningham — like Huntley, a former undrafted free agent — off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, reuniting the former Louisville star with Jackson, his college teammate. Cunningham practiced with the quarterbacks in Baltimore, but he also worked out as a receiver and on special teams. His only four snaps with the Ravens last season came as a slot receiver.

The Ravens also re-signed 37-year-old Josh Johnson last week, and they could look for help in next month’s draft.

“From a quarterback perspective, it’s a future type of a move,” coach John Harbaugh said in December of signing Cunningham. He added: “It’s going to be really interesting to see how [Cunningham] develops. He’s a quarterback, there’s no doubt about that. He’s here to play quarterback and develop as a quarterback, and that was kind of the future move down the road. That’s an opportunity. I think, when you’re a general manager, you have to look for all those opportunities, and Eric [DeCosta] is the best. He does that, and that’s part of it. But, in the meantime, [Cunningham] is talented enough and willing enough to help any way he can, so that’s kind of how you see it.”

Over his four seasons and 20 appearances in Baltimore, Huntley emerged as one of the NFL’s more capable backup quarterbacks. He went 3-6 as a starter despite playing with an injury-depleted defense in 2021 and an injury-depleted offense in 2022. Huntley completed 64.6% of his passes in his Ravens career, finishing with 1,957 yards (5.7 per attempt), eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 509 yards (4.4 per carry) and three touchdowns.

After Jackson went down with a knee injury in December 2022, Huntley finished the season as the Ravens’ starting quarterback for the second straight year. He nearly helped lead the team to a shocking playoff upset of Cincinnati in the AFC’s wild-card round, but a crucial goal-line fumble led to a Bengals touchdown in a 24-17 loss. Huntley later was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a surprise given his limited work.

In Cleveland, Huntley likely projects as the Browns’ third-string quarterback, behind starter Deshaun Watson and newly signed backup Jameis Winston.

DB Ar’Darius Washington ↔ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are bringing back their only exclusive-rights free agent, the team announced Thursday.

Washington, who won a starting job as the Ravens’ nickel back before last season, played just two games before suffering a chest injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season.

The 5-foot-8, 177-pound Washington returned for the playoffs, when he played a combined 28 snaps on special teams and two snaps on defense.

Washington’s one-year contract is expected to be worth $1.1 million, according to Russell Street Report.

QB Josh Johnson ↔ Baltimore Ravens

One of the NFL’s most well-traveled quarterbacks is staying in Baltimore.

Johnson, who has played for an NFL-record 14 teams and will turn 38 in May, signed a one-year deal, the Ravens announced Thursday.

Johnson didn’t appear in any games last season, but with Tyler Huntley expected to leave in free agency, he could compete with Malik Cunningham for the backup spot in 2024. The Ravens could also look for another arm in the draft.

DE Brent Urban ↔ Baltimore Ravens

The dynamic duo, the “fumbutts,” are running it back next season. Defensive lineman Brent Urban will again play alongside his buddy nose tackle Michael Pierce on the defensive line, the Ravens announced.

Urban was part of the group of veterans who saw a career resurgence in Baltimore. The Ravens’ fourth-round pick in 2014, Urban left in 2019 before returning in 2022. Last season, Urban was a contributor in every game and finished with a career-best three sacks. His 22 tackles were the third best of his career and his best since the 2020 season.

As part of the rotation on former coordinator Mike Macdonald’s complex defense, Urban provided reliability and experience. Additionally, Urban contributed on special teams in all but one game he played. He was one of the depth players who laid the foundation for the Ravens’ defensive success.

If you’re lucky, you might get Part 2 of “Brent Urban and the Smelling Salts.”

LS Logan Ott → Washington Commanders

The Ravens’ fill-in long snapper has a new home, and it’s not far from Baltimore.

Ott, who signed with the Ravens after All-Pro Nick Moore tore an Achilles tendon in July, is headed to Washington after agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with the Commanders, according to NFL Network.

Moore is expected to play for the Ravens in 2024. Ott, meanwhile, will reunite with special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, who coached him with the Seattle Seahawks.

ILB Patrick Queen → Pittsburgh Steelers

Patrick Queen broke his teammates’ hearts Tuesday with the news that he is headed to their rivals on a three-year deal.

ESPN reported he is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for $41 million. Queen indirectly confirmed it himself when he reposted a tweet that he will be “suiting up in the black and yellow” next season.

His Ravens teammates were quick to jokingly denounce him on Twitter.

Queen was a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler last season. He and fellow inside linebacker Roquan Smith were the only linebacker duo to both make more than 130 tackles.

Queen, a former Ravens first-round pick, finished the 2023 season with 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception.

Read more here.

RB Derrick Henry → Baltimore Ravens

Although the Ravens have consistently been one of the best rushing teams in the NFL since drafting Lamar Jackson in 2018, they have only once paired their dual-threat quarterback with a running back who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards: Mark Ingram in 2019.

Baltimore surely hopes that will change next season with the addition of Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract, a source confirmed to The Baltimore Banner. The 30-year-old has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in five of the last six seasons. In 2021, he tallied 937 yards in eight games before suffering a stress fracture in his foot that cost him the rest of the season.

In 2023, Henry tied a career low for yards per carry, finishing with 4.2. However, he still rushed for 1,167 yards.

He’ll lead a running back room that includes Justice Hill and possibly Keaton Mitchell, who is recovering from a December ACL tear. The Ravens have already lost Gus Edwards in free agency, and J.K. Dobbins is on the market.

Read more here.

ILB Del’Shawn Phillips → Houston Texans

Well, the Texans signed a Ravens inside linebacker.

A Raven for the last two years, Phillips has been a significant contributor despite playing behind two guys who almost never take a break. Until the final game of the season when the Ravens rested many of their starters, Phillips did not see more than nine defensive snaps. However, those he played, he performed well, and he held his own against the Steelers’ starting offense in the 17-10 loss.

But Phillips has been one of the Ravens biggest contributors on special teams. He played at least 71% of the special teams snaps in every game except that Pittsburgh game in which he saw an increased role on defense. He finished the season with 13 tackles and one forced fumble.

LG John Simpson → New York Jets

John Simpson is headed to New York to protect veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers after he agreed to sign a two-year deal worth up to $18 million, according to NFL Network.

Simpson’s departure leaves the Ravens with a hole at left guard that could be followed by a hole at right guard if free agent Kevin Zeitler finds a new home. Simpson and Zeitler started 15 games at left guard and 17 games at right guard in Baltimore last season, respectively, helping anchor one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.

Simpson was a reclamation project when he joined the Ravens’ practice squad in December 2022. A fourth-round pick of the Raiders in 2020, Simpson had been cut after losing his starting left guard job in Las Vegas. He acknowledged later that, when he arrived in Baltimore, he felt like he had “zero confidence, and I had to work through that, and it wasn’t easy.”

But Simpson impressed Ravens coaches with his development, and he beat out rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu in training camp for the left guard spot. Simpson led the Ravens in offensive snaps last season (1,119) and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 43 overall guard among qualifying linemen. He allowed just one sack and 26 quarterback pressures, according to PFF, but flags were a problem. Simpson was called for a holding penalty eight times, tied for the most in the NFL.

With Ben Cleveland primarily a right-sided player, the early favorites to take over at left guard are Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees, who sat out his rookie season last year while recovering from a torn ACL. But the Ravens could also find veteran help in free agency, and general manager Eric DeCosta typically adds multiple linemen through the draft each year.

LB Malik Harrison ↔ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens and Malik Harrison are running it back. ESPN reported Monday night that the Ravens signed the 26-year-old linebacker to a one-year deal.

After being drafted in the third round of the 2020 draft, Harrison was considered an inside linebacker for the Ravens. The next season, he was designated as an outside linebacker. By 2022, Harrison was considered simply a linebacker because of his ability to play where needed.

This season, with David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh dealing with injuries, Harrison was leaned on at outside linebacker. Due to injuries that sidelined him for three games, Harrison’s numbers dropped, but when he played, he was a reliable depth piece.

Harrison was also a significant part of the special teams this season. He played at least 68% of the special teams snaps in every game he played while also playing 10% to 50% of the defensive snaps.

CB, Ronald Darby → Jacksonville Jaguars

Another Raven is headed to Jacksonville.

Darby played 16 games last season, starting seven, and allowed just 23 completions on 48 targets as the nearest defender in coverage, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. The Maryland native’s coverage success rate was a solid 60.4%, just behind Marlon Humphrey (61.7%) and ahead of Brandon Stephens (58.1%), an impressive return for a player who signed a one-year prove-it deal worth $1.7 million in August.

With Humphrey out at the beginning of the season, Darby was a fixture in the cornerback rotation. He saw his playing time decrease toward the middle of the season. Unlike cornerbacks Arthur Maulet and Rock Ya-Sin, Darby did not play a huge role on special teams. He finished the season with 28 tackles.

Darby, 30, could also be even better in 2024, when he’ll be two years removed from the ACL tear that ended his 2022 season with the Denver Broncos.

WR Devin Duvernay → Jacksonville Jaguars

Devin Duvernay, a third-round pick who became known more for returning kicks than catching passes, agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the opening day of the negotiation period.

Duvernay’s career as a wide receiver has been up and down. He jumped from 20 catches his rookie season to 33 and 37 the next two years before falling to four catches this year. He dealt with injuries this year but also increased competition. The Ravens drafted Zay Flowers, then signed Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr., leaving little need for Duvernay on offense.

However, Duvernay made his name on special teams. He was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Ravens and an All-Pro returner in 2021.

The Jaguars reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with an $8.5 million base.

S Geno Stone → Cincinnati Bengals

“Geno might be the best seventh-round pick that we’ve ever had,” DeCosta said at the NFL combine.

The Bengals, an AFC North rival, must have noticed. They agreed to terms with Stone on the first day of the legal tampering period.

Stone, who finished second in the NFL with seven interceptions last season, has earned a shot at a starting role. The Ravens, however, don’t need another starting safety, nor can they afford one.

In addition to being a seventh-round draft pick, Stone was also cut from the Ravens twice, once because he tested positive for COVID and there wasn’t room for him on the roster when he came off injured reserve. After being claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans in the 2020-21 season, Stone returned to Baltimore on a one-year deal. He played 15 games with one start and made 21 tackles and one interception. He then signed another one-year deal and saw his role increase. He played 17 games with seven starts and 38 tackles.

Stone signed another one-year deal ahead of the 2023 season, his first contract to break $1 million. With injuries to the secondary, Stone was afforded more opportunities and seized them. In 17 games with 11 starts, he accumulated 68 tackles to go with those seven interceptions.

“I feel like I showed what I can do in this league,” Stone said. “It’s something I’ve always been trying to do, obviously. That’s what everyone in this league wants to do — is show who they can be — and I feel like this was kind of my breakout year. I’m happy that it was this year and the year we had as a team. I’m just appreciative of everything I’ve been through this year.”

RB Gus Edwards → Los Angeles Chargers

Gus Edwards, one of the Ravens’ most accomplished running backs in team history, agreed to terms with the Chargers on the opening day of the tampering period. He’ll jump from playing for John Harbaugh to working with Jim Harbaugh, hired away from Michigan in the offseason.

Edwards leaves Baltimore as one of the franchise’s most unlikely success stories. Over his six years with the Ravens, he had 699 carries (fourth most in franchise history) for 3,395 yards (fourth most) and 26 touchdowns (fifth most) despite never being a feature back. His rushing average (4.9 yards per carry) ranks second among Ravens running backs with at least 200 carries, trailing only J.K. Dobbins (5.8 yards per carry), another free agent.

Edwards was a hidden gem in the foundational 2018 draft class headlined by quarterback Lamar Jackson, offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and tight end Mark Andrews. Undrafted out of Rutgers, he started his rookie season on the Ravens’ practice squad, made his NFL debut in Week 6 and broke out after Jackson took over for the injured Joe Flacco in the season’s second half.

A physical, downhill runner who excelled in Roman’s power running schemes, Edwards quickly became one of the NFL’s most reliable backs. He’s one of only two players in league history to start their career with three straight seasons of 700-plus rushing yards and at least 5 yards per carry, along with Cleveland Browns All-Pro running back Nick Chubb.

Edwards tore his ACL on the eve of the 2021 season, three months after he’d signed a two-year contract extension worth $10 million, and was limited to nine games in 2022. Last season, he had a career-high 198 carries and 810 yards in 17 games and was one of the NFL’s best goal-line weapons, finishing with a career-high 13 touchdowns. But his production outside of the red zone dropped off, and he averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per carry overall.

The Ravens could also lose Dobbins in free agency, which would leave them with just Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell — still recovering from a torn ACL — under contract at the position.

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