NFL Rumors: Michael Pierce, Ravens Agree to New Contract to Avoid 2024 Free Agency

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 6, 2024

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The Baltimore Ravens and nose tackle Michael Pierce have agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

According to ESPN’s Jameson Hensley, Pierce inked a three-year, $16.5 million deal with Baltimore in 2022. However, a contract restructuring last March set him up for free agency this offseason.

Pierce, 31, has played all 16 games for the Ravens this season, amassing 36 tackles. He’s played a key role in the 13-3 Ravens owning the NFL’s best record and allowing the fewest points in the league.

Pierce has taken the field for seven NFL seasons. He spent his first four with the Ravens before leaving via free agency for the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic before playing in 2021. After an injury-shortened season, Pierce was released, and the Ravens signed him again.

His second stint in Baltimore has gone well enough for an extension as the Ravens look to build around him and others in search of a Super Bowl.

More work must be done on the defensive line, though, as The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted:

Jeff Zrebiec @jeffzrebiecThe Ravens extended DT Broderick Washington before season. They’e now extended NT Michael Pierce. Next order of business is Justin Madubuike. It’s hard to imagine they’d allow Madubuike to hit open market in March even if it takes franchise tag to do it.

For now, the Ravens are wrapping up their regular season before jumping into the AFC playoffs as a No. 1 seed.