OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Pro Bowl’s midfield supporter Roquan Smith is set to remain the center of Baltimore Crows‘ defense over half a season.
Smith reached an agreement on a five-year extension on Tuesday, a group source confirmed. The NFL Network is reporting the deal is worth $100 million, which would make him the highest-paid inside supporter in the league at $20 million per season.
The extension with Smith not only prevented Baltimore’s top defensive player from becoming a free agent after two months; it will free Raven to use the franchise card in midfield lamar Jacksonwho is completing the fifth year option of his rookie contract.
Smith, 25, has lived up to expectations since Raven acquired him in October from Chicago bear for the second- and fifth-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft. A leader and tone-setter, Smith finished as the NFL’s third top saver of the season. This award (169) for the Baltimore defense allowed him to score the third few points (18.5) and he was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career.
“He wants to do what it takes to be a great player and be a great unit, then impact your team,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Smith on Monday. . “That’s what he’s all about — 100 percent — [and] That’s what I love about him. He’s one of the best I’ve seen in that way and I think that always impacts people as a leader, that’s for sure.”
Smith was the most influential player in the second half of the season for Baltimore. In the Ravens’ first eight games without Smith, the defense ranked 20th in points allowed (22.9) and 24th in yards dropped (364.3). In Baltimore’s nine games against Smith, the defense allowed the NFL to score the second fewest points (14.7) and hold the teams with the third fewest (288.8).
He is the first player since the Hall of Fame defender Ray Lewis scored at least 100 tackles, multiple tackles and one interception in each of the first five years of his career.
Jackson responded to Smith’s assent on Twitter:
I just took a picture
— Lamar Jackson (@ Lj_era8) January 10, 2023
