Ravens ink new deal with Calais Campbell

The Ravens have a new two-year deal worth up to $27M, including $20M guaranteed, with recently acquired defensive lineman Calais Campbell, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Baltimore acquired Campbell for a fifth-round pick from the Jaguars earlier Sunday. Unloading the $15M cap hit on Campbell’s contract seemed to be the only plausible motive for Jacksonville to move a player of Campbell’s caliber for such a minuscule return. However, the Ravens appear to be lowering that cap number in exchange for some longer-term guarantees.

Campbell has consistently ranked among the best defensive lineman in football over his 12-year career. While Campbell will turn 34 in September, he has yet to show his age much on the field. In fact, Campbell ranked as the second-highest graded edge defender by Pro Football Focus out of the 107 qualified players. Per more traditional metrics, Campbell recorded 56 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

Not only has Baltimore acquired a difference-maker for their defensive front without sacrificing much draft capital, they now have secured his services for an additional season.