Michael Pierce’s unexpected retirement might’ve caught some fans off guard, but leave it to the Baltimore Ravens front office to find a way to turn it into a cap-saving opportunity.
The 32-year-old nose tackle officially announced his retirement earlier this month after nine seasons in the league — seven of which were spent in Baltimore.
Pierce carved out a strong career after going undrafted out of Samford in 2016. Known more for his trench work than box score stats, he was a key piece in Baltimore’s defense, especially during the team’s dominant second-half surge last season. His better late-than-never career highlight? A game-sealing interception (the only one of his career) in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns that sparked a viral moment when he hilariously took a knee with nothing but daylight in front of him. “The bus was out of gas,” Pierce joked afterward.
As Pierce walks away on his own terms, the Ravens are now doing what they do best — working the margins. And they’re doing it wisely.
Pierce, Ravens agree to contract tweak to create cap relief
According to salary cap guru Brian McFarland, the Ravens and Pierce have reworked his contract to allow the team to process his retirement after June 1. By tweaking the structure and removing his $2 million roster bonus (which would’ve hit on March 16) along with his workout bonus, the team creates $745,000 in immediate cap space—with another $1.255 million coming after June 1.
They will now have $8.2 million in effective cap space per Over The Cap.
This kind of financial maneuvering is classic Ravens' front office. It’s a smart, low-key move that doesn’t make headlines but keeps the team flexible as they prep for a 2025 campaign loaded with expectations (and future contracts). Remember, Baltimore is still managing the cap fallout from several big deals—Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Nnamdi Madubuike—and more are coming with Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum looming.
While Pierce’s departure leaves a 355 pound-sized hole up front, Baltimore is well-positioned to reload in a draft class that’s absolutely stacked at defensive tackle.
If the Ravens want to dip into that pool early, names like Ole Miss' Walter Nolen and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon offer freakish athletic traits and Day 1 starter upside. Toledo’s Darius Alexander and South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders are versatile disruptors who could thrive in rotational roles early, while Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams profiles as a pure nose tackle—one who could step into Pierce’s role directly. Even Shemar Turner, a high-motor utility lineman from Texas A&M, could be a Day 2 steal.
Pierce ends his NFL journey with 99 career games, nearly 240 tackles, and a legacy as one of the better undrafted pickups of the last decade. The Ravens now get some breathing room as they look to reload for another title push.
So while Big Mike rides off into the sunset, Baltimore keeps the cap game sharp. Win-win.