The Baltimore Ravens have made a flurry of depth signings to start filling out the depth on their roster. After watching 10 of their free agents depart thus far, they’ve been picked apart at some key positions, but general manager Eric DeCosta has done a good job of counteracting those losses with reinforcements.
While it feels like tight end Charlie Kolar never reached his full potential in Baltimore, and big things could be on the way after agreeing to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Ravens will mainly be replacing a dominant blocking tight end. They got just that by signing Durham Smythe, which they made official on Thursday.
Official ✔️ pic.twitter.com/6lTAyB5yDN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 12, 2026
Smythe isn’t the most thrilling signing, but he’s a reliable veteran who does his job well. What makes the fit in Charm City even more exciting is his reunion with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Smythe will follow Doyle over from the Chicago Bears to Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens reunite Declan Doyle with Durham Smythe
Smythe won’t bring much as a receiver. He’s shown over his eight-year career that he can get it done there if needed, with a couple of years with over 300 receiving yards with the Miami Dolphins, but it's not his calling card. He's mostly made his money as a blocker. His lone season with the Bears in 2025, that’s exactly what he did.
According to Pro Football Focus, Durham was on the field for 334 offensive snaps last year. 201 of those were run blocking assignments. He was a pivotal part of a Chicago running game that ran for 2,456 yards and 144.5 yards per game in 2025 (third-most in the NFL). With Smythe back in his corner, Doyle should be extremely excited.
When you’re a 30-year-old offensive coordinator going into your first year calling plays, you need some familiarity to help settle yourself into such a stressful role. The Ravens brought that to their offensive staff in coaches like Zack Grossi, and now they’ve added it to the roster with Smythe. The sky is the limit for Doyle’s offensive attack, and with a player like Smythe, whom he knows how to use, landing with the Ravens, the floor should be higher, as well.
The details on Durham’s contract have yet to be revealed, but it should be on the cheaper side. With Kolar, rightfully, getting a nice payday, Baltimore pivoted, looking to save cap space. They pivoted well with a stable blocking tight end in Smythe.