5 Baltimore Ravens free agents that won’t be back in 2022

3. Pernell McPhee, OLB, Ravens

Another veteran on the roster who might be playing out his final few games with the team is Pernell McPhee. Although, unlike Murray and Freeman, McPhee has a bit more history with the organization.

A fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, McPhee spent the first four years of his career in Baltimore before departing for four years. He returned in 2019 and has been a regular part of the Ravens’ outside linebacker rotation since.

However, he’s seen his playing time dramatically decrease in 2021.

After playing 61 and 46 percent of defensive snaps in each of his last two seasons, McPhee has only been on the field for 34 percent of snaps this year. And his playing time has trended in the wrong direction.

That includes Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings where McPhee played just three total defensive snaps. He’s played more than 45 percent of snaps in just one game this season, all the way back in Week 3.

Now, McPhee has found himself on the injured reserve although he’s expected to return before the end of the year. Still, it’s clear that he’s not an important part of the defensive rotation anymore.

With just one sack and two QB hits to his name, McPhee has found himself phased out in favor of others. And with the Ravens planning to use Malik Harrison at outside linebacker, there’s no guarantee McPhee has much of a role at all upon his return.

Don’t expect the Ravens to bring back Pernell McPhee next season. His time with the organization is likely up.