Latest news with #EricDeCosta
New York Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Ravens extend WR Rashod Bateman, continue to prioritize their own players
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman parlayed his breakout 2024 season into his second contract extension in a little over a year. Bateman and the Ravens finalized a three-year, $36.75 million extension on Thursday, sources close to the negotiations confirmed. The deal is a nice reward for the receiver who had a career-high 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last year and added two more touchdowns in the playoffs. Advertisement The team's latest contract extension continues the organization's trend of prioritizing deals with its own players. The Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $30 million extension last month. They're working on potential extensions with many other players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, center Tyler Linderbaum and safety Kyle Hamilton. A first-round pick by Baltimore in 2021, Bateman had a rough start to his NFL career, missing 16 games because of injuries over his first two seasons and not always appearing to be on the same page with the Ravens' decision-makers. During the 2023 offseason, Bateman, who has annually been the subject of trade speculation, took to social media to criticize general manager Eric DeCosta. However, Bateman and DeCosta maintain a strong relationship, and the latest contract extension adds to that. The deal includes $16.5 million guaranteed and an $8 million signing bonus, per team sources. With two years remaining on his previous deal, Bateman is now under contract with the team through 2029. Running it back with @R_bateman2 😈 — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 5, 2025 'Rashod made a big jump last year, and we are excited to watch him this season,' DeCosta said in a statement. 'He's a young playmaker who is an important piece of our offense. Congratulations to Rashod and his family!' Bateman's two-year, $12.8 million extension last April was a result of circumstances that stemmed from the wide receiver not accruing a credited season in 2023 and not being eligible to cash in on the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Bateman started last year's training camp on the 'did not report list,' which triggered the non-credited season. If he hadn't signed the extension last year, Bateman would have been a restricted free agent this past March. However, the Ravens extended him at an affordable price to give Bateman some security. They then got back to the bargaining table this offseason after Bateman thoroughly outperformed the contract extension. Advertisement The Ravens signed veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, but Bateman figures to remain the team's No. 2 wideout behind 2024 Pro Bowler Zay Flowers and one of the featured targets for Jackson. One of the league's better route runners and separators, Bateman had 45 catches last year on 72 targets and established himself as a go-to guy in the red zone. Bateman frequently cited the fact that he was able to remain healthy last year as one of the reasons for his breakout. The Ravens believe he has the potential to be an even bigger threat going forward.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Justin Tucker's Maryland house to hit the market for $3.2 million
The Owings Mills, Maryland, home of former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker will soon be for sale. The 6,480 square foot house will be on the market starting June 6 for $3.2 million. According to the listing, there are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. "Pristine modern home that feels like you've just stepped into new construction," the description says. "Coming soon!" Justin Tucker was cut amid sexual misconduct allegations Tucker was released by the Baltimore Ravens on May 5, citing a "football decision." The Baltimore Banner reported that Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by at least 16 massage therapists between 2012 and 2016. The NFL is investigating the allegations. Tucker and his attorneys have denied the accusations. "I have always made a conscious effort to be considerate and respectful in all of the interactions with the community that I love so much. It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way," Tucker said in a statement on January 30. Tucker continued, "I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session." The Ravens selected kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of April's NFL Draft. General Manager Eric DeCosta said the decision to cut Tucker was "tough." "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," DeCosta said in a statement. "Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker." Tucker's All-Pro career Tucker played for the Baltimore Ravens for 13 seasons, and during that time, he was considered to be arguably the best kicker in the NFL. Tucker remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an overall career field goal percentage of 89.1%. He also holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 66 yards. Before getting released, Tucker was the last remaining player from the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl championship team. He is a seven-time NFL Pro Bowl player and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. "Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history," DeCosta said. "His reliability, focus, drive, resilience, and extraordinary talent made him one of the league's best kickers for over a decade." He remains a free agent.
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Harbaugh says cutting ties with Justin Tucker was a 'complex' decision for the Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Before Baltimore cut ties with Justin Tucker early this month, coach John Harbaugh said whatever the Ravens decided to do would be a football decision. That doesn't mean it was simple. Harbaugh was available to local reporters Wednesday for the first time since the Ravens announced May 5 they were releasing Tucker. The five-time All-Pro kicker had been accused by over a dozen massage therapists of inappropriate sexual behavior, according to reporting by the Baltimore Banner. The NFL said it would investigate, but it's not clear when that process will conclude. 'It was a complex decision-making process, and I'm a part of it,' Harbaugh said, adding that owner Steve Bisciotti, president Sashi Brown and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome were involved in the move, along with general manager Eric DeCosta. 'You're talking about arguably the best kicker in the history of the game, and like we said, it's multilayered. It's complicated, but in the end, it all comes back to what you have to do to get ready for your team to play the first game,' Harbaugh added. 'I think if you step back and take a look at all the issues and all the ramifications, you can understand that we've got to get our football team ready, and we've got to have a kicker ready to go. That was the move that we decided to make, so in that sense, it's a football decision.' The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop out of Arizona this offseason, and they also signed undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland of Wyoming. When the team moved on from Tucker, DeCosta released a statement citing 'current roster' considerations as being part of the decision. Harbaugh is now suggesting that Tucker's uncertain availability may have played a bigger role than his performance, which slipped noticeably for much of last season. 'If it was just a black and white, simple thing, then it would be easy to understand, but I think anybody can look at the whole thing in perspective and say, 'OK, we've got to have a kicker ready to go, and there's a whole lot of moving parts of that deal,'' Harbaugh said. 'It's just the reality of it, and you're faced with that.' Harbaugh also addressed another big issue from the past month — the loss of safety Ar'Darius Washington to a torn Achilles tendon. 'It was a clean tear, if you want to call it that, so it's one of those ones that heals ... it's the more quick-healing version,' Harbaugh said. 'Ar'Darius tells me he'll be back in November. He's always been a quick healer. I'm looking at November, December in my mind, so yes, we're counting on him being back.' ___ AP NFL:
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Ravens still have other extension candidates after finalizing deal for Derrick Henry
Extending running back Derrick Henry's contract was probably one of the easiest decisions Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has had to make this offseason. There was significant interest from both sides. Henry wasn't looking to reset the running back market, and there was a pretty clear picture of how the veteran stacked up against other ball carriers around the league. Advertisement Now that Henry's two-year, $30 million extension is official, DeCosta and vice president of football administration Nick Matteo, the team's top negotiator, can turn their attention to other matters, including more contract extensions for their own. This is typically the time of year for such deals as the draft and the crux of the roster building — the Ravens filled one of their biggest holes last week by agreeing to terms with veteran nose tackle John Jenkins — are done. Extensions give veterans who might be entering the final year of their deals, or are unhappy with their current contracts, stability and peace of mind before the start of training camp in July. It also provides teams with all-important cost certainty and, in some instances, creates much-needed salary-cap space along the way. Even after getting Henry done, the Ravens still have plenty of extension candidates. Contract status: Signed through 2025 Why extend? In keeping Andrews this offseason rather than releasing or trading him, the Ravens showed they believe their best chance to win this year is with the three-time Pro Bowler on the roster. Andrews is Lamar Jackson's favorite target and the franchise's all-time leader in touchdown receptions. A new deal, even if it's a shorter-term pact, would quiet some of the speculation surrounding Andrews, who has been the subject of plenty of rumors and outside blame this offseason. Why not? Andrews turns 30 in September, has taken a lot of big hits and has dealt with a litany of physical challenges. Beyond his 11 touchdowns, his offensive role was smaller last year, and his postseason struggles are well-documented. It would be prohibitive for the Ravens to extend both Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and Likely is four years younger. Urgency level: The Ravens could stay the course with Andrews, even if it means losing him in free agency next offseason and potentially getting only a compensatory pick in return. Those prospects may not excite Andrews, particularly if the Ravens extend Likely and not him, but that's something DeCosta and the coaching staff will have to navigate. Advertisement Contract status: Signed through 2026 Why extend? If the 24-year-old isn't the best safety in football, he's in the conversation. He's a Defensive Player of the Year type of talent who could be one of the voices of Baltimore's defense for years. He's exactly the type of player and leader the Ravens pay and build around. Why not? Hamilton has played through plenty of physical ailments in three seasons, and if the Ravens are concerned about how he'll hold up throughout his career, they have two more years to evaluate that. Top safety money is over $21 million per year. Hamilton could blow that out of the water. Urgency level: The Ravens picked up the fifth-year option on Hamilton, hoping that's a precursor to an extension. Hamilton has said he's in no rush to get an extension. Still, each new safety deal around the league drives Hamilton's price even higher. He's almost certainly going to be the highest-paid safety in football. It's just a matter of when. Contract status: Signed through 2027 Why extend? Jackson is two years removed from signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension, but that was always viewed as more of a three-year deal. Jackson's salary-cap number rises to $74.5 million in 2026, which would be untenable. At $52 million per year, Jackson is the ninth highest-paid quarterback in the league based on average salary per year. The price for the two-time MVP is only going up. Why not? Unless the Ravens have legitimate doubts about Jackson's ability to get them to the Super Bowl — and there are no signs they do — there won't be a pause on their end beyond the obvious challenges of pulling off deals of this magnitude. The question is just how badly Jackson, who is never easy to read, wants a new deal. He'd have more leverage if he waited until after the 2025 season. Advertisement Urgency level: Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged this offseason that the organization has discussed a new deal for Jackson. How aggressive the Ravens have been is unclear. DeCosta is resolute about not revealing the nature of his talks with Jackson. Whether the Ravens extend Jackson now or wait until next offseason, a new deal is necessary in the next 10 months. It needs to become an organizational priority. Contract status: Signed through 2025 Why extend? Jones has shown how impactful he can be in flashes, but he hasn't had that breakout season yet. The Ravens might be able to get ahead of that and get a bit of a bargain by extending the 25-year-old now. The Ravens are thin on young, quality interior defensive linemen, and losing Jones would create a void. Why not? He's undoubtedly an effective player. Yet, it's fair to ask whether he's done enough to be a no-doubt second-contract guy. Jones has 3 1/2 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 49 games. He finds other ways to contribute, but the ability to impact the opposing quarterback puts top interior defensive linemen into another tax bracket. Urgency level: Jones isn't a priority in the same way as guys such as Tyler Linderbaum or Hamilton. However, he could be the perfect example of a 'year early rather than a year late' guy. If he takes a big step in his fourth season, he's going to cost so much more. Contract status: Signed through 2025 Why extend? The Ravens view Likely as one of the better young tight ends in the league. When he's been featured more in Andrews' absence, he's delivered. He just turned 25 last month and has improved every year. The Ravens typically don't allow talented homegrown ascending players out of the building. Why not? There isn't any football reason not to extend Likely if the Ravens believe in his upside. He's young, talented and plays a position that more and more teams are investing in. The only drawback would be how much the Ravens are willing to earmark for the tight end position. If Baltimore chooses Likely long term over Andrews, that becomes a moot point. Advertisement Urgency level: The closer a young player gets to free agency, the harder it gets to re-sign him. If Likely has a big year in 2025, he'll only be more expensive. Likely may not be the team's biggest priority, but it would be a plus for DeCosta to solidify his long-term status. Contract status: Signed through 2025 Why extend? Linderbaum is already a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the best players in the league at his position. With his toughness, consistency and work ethic, he exemplifies the qualities Ravens decision-makers look for. If they don't extend him before next offseason, they'll potentially have to use the franchise tag, and that will be costly. Why not? The Ravens declined Linderbaum's option, but that was because centers are grouped with tackles and it would have cost them over $23 million. Still, top-of-the-market center money, which Linderbaum deserves, is $18 million a year. That's a significant expenditure for a cash-strapped team. Linderbaum dealt with a neck issue last year, and that can be concerning. Urgency level: There's always the franchise tag if the Ravens can't extend Linderbaum over the next 10 months, but that would be prohibitive. After not picking up his fifth-year option, the Ravens are on the clock if they want to extend Linderbaum, and they say they do. The price of top centers is clear. There shouldn't be ambiguity here. Contract status: Signed through 2025 Why extend? Oweh is still 26 years old and has gotten better every year. He's coming off a double-digit sack season, and quality young edge rushers typically find a lot of interest — and money — on the free-agent market. With Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo also in the final year of their deals, the Ravens could use some stability at outside linebacker. Advertisement Why not? Oweh has battled consistency issues throughout his young career, making it hard to know what his ceiling is and whether he's close to hitting it. The Ravens have many key players due for extensions, and you can't pay everyone. They could view rookie second-rounder Mike Green as Oweh's replacement. Urgency level: At least earlier this offseason, the Ravens weren't acting like a team that was prioritizing a new deal with Oweh. That's understandable with how many other contract questions they have. Still, with another double-digit sack season, Oweh may price himself out of Baltimore. Rashod Bateman, WR: Bateman is a year removed from signing a two-year, just under $13 million contract extension that ties him to Baltimore through 2026. His contract suddenly looks team-friendly after his 2024 breakout. He hasn't publicly made any new contract demands, but his situation bears watching. Daniel Faalele, G: The much-maligned guard, who started every game last season, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He's still up and down, but the Ravens have shown they believe in the 25-year-old's upside. Marlon Humphrey, CB: Humphrey, who returned to his All-Pro level last season, still has two years left on his deal. He does have a $26.3 million salary-cap number in 2026, his age-30 season, so his contract could be addressed next offseason. Charlie Kolar, TE: The 2022 fourth-round pick has settled nicely into the No. 3 tight end role behind Andrews and Likely. Kolar has 20 catches in three seasons but can contribute more with increased opportunities. Nick Moore, LS: Moore has been a solid replacement for the venerable Morgan Cox. He's a free agent after the 2025 season. Jordan Stout, P: A fourth-round pick in 2022, Stout probably hasn't been consistent enough to warrant an extension. However, the Ravens value stability with their kicking battery. Like Moore, Stout is eligible for free agency after 2025. Advertisement Kyle Van Noy, OLB: Van Noy has a base salary this season of just $2.75 million and a $6.125 million cap charge, both extremely low for a guy who has 21 1/2 sacks in two seasons in Baltimore. He's outperformed his contract, but he's also 34, and the Ravens presumably are content going year to year. (Top photo of Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
New York Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Armed with new contract, Ravens RB Derrick Henry won't stop pushing forward
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Derrick Henry experienced flight delays getting into Baltimore from Dallas Sunday evening. He didn't get to bed until the wee hours of Monday morning. He estimated that he got about 30 minutes of sleep. Yet, when the 6 a.m. hour arrived, Henry knew there was somewhere he had to be. Advertisement Everything else — sleep, signing a hefty contract extension — could wait. 'I got in here early this morning and I just worked out,' Henry said at a Monday afternoon news conference at the Under Armour Performance Center. Signing 30-plus-year-old running backs to lucrative contracts is typically frowned upon in the NFL, a reflection of the physical nature of the position and the expected decline of those who play it. Yet, even on a mid-May morning, roughly two months before the start of training camp and a week before the Ravens' organized team activities get underway, Henry, with his maniacal work ethic, showed once again why the organization has few concerns in signing him to an extension. Extending Henry, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2025 season without a new deal, was one of general manager Eric DeCosta's offseason priorities. 'If you watch his work ethic, and you see the way he works on and off the field, how he takes care of his body, and then just to watch him out there, you don't see a downside,' assistant head coach/running backs coach Willie Taggart said Monday. 'He's still getting stronger, if you ask me. … If you look at the performance he had last year — one of his better years — and that's nine years in. That's big time. It's important to him. He told you guys a minute ago (that) he wants to win a Super Bowl, and I know he's going to do everything he can to help this football team accomplish that.' Clad in a no-sleeves, team-issued workout hoodie, Henry put pen to paper on his two-year, $30 million deal (all but $5 million guaranteed) before 8 a.m. Monday. When he did, the 31-year-old was the official recipient of the largest contract for a 30-plus-year-old running back in NFL history. He also moved closer to his stated goal of spending the rest of his career in Baltimore. Advertisement Henry was due to make $7 million in 2025 (he had already collected $1 million from an option bonus). Adding the $30 million for 2026 and 2027 essentially makes this a three-year, $37 million arrangement. For both sides, the deal was a no-brainer. Henry flourished in his first season as a Raven, rushing for 1,921 yards, the second-highest total of his career, and scoring 18 touchdowns. He joined quarterback Lamar Jackson in forming one of the league's most dynamic and productive duos. But his attachment to his new NFL home after he had spent the first eight years of his career in Tennessee starring for the Titans went beyond the on-field production. 'Coming here, everything was new, and all I wanted to do is gain my respect from my teammates and everybody in this organization,' Henry said. 'Over time, as I got here, I just fell in love with everything, with the brotherhood, by the way (they) work, how they approach everything, and then get into the season (was) just like icing on the cake. I know we came up short, but it was a lot of fun, and we have a lot of great players — a lot of top players in this league, playmakers — so it's always fun when you have guys around you that are at the top of their position and can change the game at any point.' The Ravens are a draft-and-develop team, and they don't often target stars on the free-agent market. But their initial two-year, $16 million deal with Henry, signed in March 2024, couldn't have worked out much better. On the field, Henry took an already potent and explosive offense to another level. Baltimore finished first last year in offensive DVOA, total yards per game and rushing yards per game, and third in points per game. Henry took some pressure off Jackson, who had arguably the best season of his career in 2024, and reinforced the team's offensive identity and physicality mentality. He also raised the bar for his new teammates in terms of preparation, professionalism and accountability. Teammates and coaches raved about how hard Henry worked during the week so he was ready to play, and how locked in he was on every detail. The simplest mistake at practice would put Henry in a foul mood that didn't lift until he had a chance to redeem himself the following day. Advertisement 'He fits our identity as an organization, and I think he fits Baltimore as a city and what the city stands for,' Taggart said. 'When you always watched the Ravens play, it was always dominating and physical, and when you watch Derrick run, it's dominating and physical. You think about our city, we're dominating and physical, so I think he just fit everything about Baltimore and the Ravens organization. Everyone I talked to about the Ravens' organization, before I got here and now being a part of it, it's always been top-notch. The Ravens' organization is one of the best in the league, and then Derrick came here, and he's top-notch and one of the best running backs in the league.' The extension comes at a time when there's still so much more that Henry, a former Offensive Player of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowler, wants to accomplish. He's long said he's a student of the game and acknowledged how meaningful it is to have his name mentioned in the same breath as some of the league's best all-time backs. .@KingHenry_2 checking in post extension ‼️ — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 19, 2025 Henry currently ranks 19th all time with 11,423 rushing yards. Another 1,000-yard season would put him just outside the top 10 of a list headed by longtime Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith, who had 18,355 career rushing yards. Henry would have to play for longer than the three years on his Ravens contract to have any shot at breaking Smith's mark. Henry would pass another former Cowboy, Tony Dorsett, and move into 10th place all time if he eclipses 1,316 rushing yards in 2025. He did that in late November of the 2024 season. 'It's a surreal moment to be able to have that opportunity and be in that conversation,' Henry said. 'God has blessed me, tremendously, and since I was 5 years old, I fell in love with this game. Playing this position, I always looked up to the great running backs who played this game at a high level, who are legends of the game, dreaming of my game being mentioned with them one day. For me to somewhat have that opportunity, it's so surreal, and God is so good. I've had a lot of people throughout my life to help me get to this point.' The ultimate team prize is also missing from Henry's likely Hall of Fame resume, and he doesn't shy away from that. The Ravens believed they were good enough last year to win a Super Bowl, but they were beaten, 27-25, in a mistake-filled divisional-round loss to the Buffalo Bills. Henry maintained that it was the type of loss that you never get over. You just go back to work to give yourself a better chance to win if you get the opportunity again. To that end, Henry, his mind 'going crazy,' allowed himself just one week off before he returned to the gym following a season in which he had 344 touches in the regular season and 42 more in two postseason games. The grind never rests, even on days when sleep is elusive and there's a contract to sign. Advertisement 'I want to be great, so no matter how good it is or no matter how bad it is, I'm always focused on trying to get better each and every day and each and every way I can,' Henry said. 'For you to be great, you've got to focus on being consistent. You've got to outwork everybody, and that's the approach I try to take every single day I wake up. Even the days you don't want to, you've got to find a way.'
