Ravens hope to sign both Jason Pierre-Paul and Blake Martinez

The Baltimore Ravens have shown interest in free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Blake Martinez in recent days, and that interest seems to be pretty legitimate.

The team brought both players in for official visits within the past week, and head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday that he’s hoping to sign both players.

It’s rare to see Harbaugh tip his hand like this as the longtime Ravens coach is typically tight-lipped about front office transactions. That suggests the Ravens are very interested in signing both players.

Both Pierre-Paul and Martinez fill needs on the defensive side of the ball and help add depth to positions that have both run into injury woes in recent weeks.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Blake Martinez would be much-needed front-seven upgrades for the Ravens

The Ravens brought both Pierre-Paul and Martinez in for official visits on Tuesday. For Pierre-Paul, this is the second time he’s met with the team as he previously visited the Ravens’ facility in June.

Baltimore had Pierre-Paul take a physical but nothing ever came of the meeting. Still a free agent as we approach the end of September, Pierre-Paul would fill a pressing need for the organization.

The Ravens lost Steven Means for the season in Sunday’s game, the latest in a long line of injuries to the team’s outside linebacker corps. Until Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo return, the Ravens have just two outside linebackers on their active roster in Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston.

It’s not a surprise to see the Ravens targeting veteran pass-rush help.

As for Martinez, he was released by the New York Giants before the start of the 2022 season and has been waiting for the right offer to come his way. Perhaps that offer comes from the Ravens.

Martinez is easily the most accomplished and experienced linebacker on the open market and could help address a position that has been a weakness for the Ravens this season (and in recent seasons).

The Ravens also placed undrafted rookie Josh Ross on the injured reserve this week which could open up a spot for Martinez on the active roster.

There’s no doubt that both Pierre-Paul and Martinez would bolster a hurting Ravens secondary, and the team’s interest is evident. Now we await to see if the interest is mutual.