The Baltimore Ravens could upgrade their outside linebacker unit soon with the acquisition of Jason Pierre-Paul.
Following Steven Means’ season-ending injury, the Ravens suddenly have a pressing need in the outside linebacker unit.
The team’s starters have thankfully stayed healthy so far: Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh. Behind those two, Baltimore has just practice squad player Jeremiah Moon; formerly injured players Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo are still recovering and working hard to get back on the field in 2022.
To add depth to their thinning pass rush, the Ravens seem to have their eyes on former Bucs’ Jason Pierre Paul as the two reportedly met for the second time on Tuesday.
Ravens and Jason Pierre-Paul may be close to inking a contract in 2022
This is the second meeting between Pierre-Paul and the Ravens. The first one was back in June and its purpose was for the Ravens to get to know JPP a bit and have him take a physical. Ravens only have 2 OLBs on their roster. They also have 2 open roster spots. https://t.co/Ux0rhkHqdf
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 20, 2022
In 2021, Pierre-Paul recorded 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for Tampa Bay — the season prior, he posted a whopping 9.5 sacks en route to the Bucs’ Super Bowl championship.
Pulling the trigger for a vet like Pierre-Paul is arguably the team’s best option to patch up its pass rush issues.
Baltimore could elevate Moon from the practice squad, but the team needs a more reliable player at the position at least until Bowser or Ojabo get healthy.
The ghosts of Baltimore’s past are starting to haunt them, and while the Ravens haven’t suffered an injury plague as devastating as they did in 2021, the losses are clearly starting to build up.
Signing Pierre-Paul is simply a good insurance plan in 2022.