NFL Rumors: Justice Hill, Ravens Agree to 2-Year, $6M Contract Extension

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 20, 2024

Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens and running back Justice Hill reportedly agreed to a contract extension Friday.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Hill and the Ravens came to terms on a two-year, $6 million deal.

Hill, 26, has spent his entire five-year career in Baltimore, and he is now under contract with the team through the 2026 campaign thanks to his new pact.

Baltimore originally selected Hill in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft after he enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Oklahoma State that included two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 30 total rushing touchdowns over three seasons.

Despite that, Hill had a fairly limited role in the Ravens’ offense over his first three seasons, averaging about 182 rushing yards, eight catches for 49 yards and less than one touchdown per year during that stretch.

Hill was utilized far more often last season, though, perhaps due in large part to the fact that running back J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season after just one game, while veteran running back Melvin Gordon struggled.

Gus Edwards was the Ravens’ go-to running back as a rusher last season, but Hill was the primary third-down back, and his stats improved as a result.

In fact, Hill set career highs across the board with 84 carries for 387 yards and three touchdowns, plus 28 receptions for 206 yards and a score.

The Ravens’ backfield underwent some significant changes during the offseason, as both Edwards and Dobbins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, while Baltimore signed longtime Tennessee Titans running back and potential future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.

For now, the Ravens have only two true running backs on their active roster in Henry and Hill since Keaton Mitchell is on the physically unable to perform list.

Henry is the unquestioned go-to guy on early downs, in short-yardage situations and around the goal line, but Hill has had significant usage as well.

Hill played 54 percent of the Ravens’ offensive snaps in each of their first two games, and he was especially productive in a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes for 52 yards since Baltimore was playing from behind.

He had only two grabs for 10 yards in a Week 2 upset loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but Hill did rush four times for 22 yards.

While he may not be a superstar or a player capable of taking on a heavy workload on a regular basis, Hill is a quality running back and clearly someone who has earned the trust of head coach John Harbaugh.