2. After extending Broderick Washington, will the Ravens offer a new contract to Justin Madubuike next?
The Baltimore Ravens announced a three-year extension of DT Broderick Washington's contract ahead of Day 13 of training camp. Everybody celebrated the news and the players gave BW his flowers in the middle of the field before the start of the exercises on Wednesday.
#Ravens have agreed to sign defensive tackle Broderick Washington to three year $17.5 million contract deal includes $6.3 million combined in signing and option bonuses with $10 million total guaranteed for former Texas Tech standout, agent Evan Krakower @NA3Sports told @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 9, 2023
That was great news, even more considering Washington has appeared in 39 games for the Ravens throughout his career without stopping improving his game on a weekly basis. Truth be told, it was an easy decision for the Ravens to make.
But this extensions brings us to another pressing and important question: will Baltimore pay Justin Madubuike next? The Ravens have a line featuring Washington, Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Brent Urban, Travis Jones, and Angelo Blackson. Madubuike is the best of those players and one entering a contract year and about to hit free agency next spring.
While Washington is great at what he does best--run stopping--the truth is that Madubuike is equally good at his best trait--pass rushing and defense--and the current NFL values the latter's skill set more than the former's. In other words, Madubuike is going to demand more dough for the Ravens than his fellow classmate.
A great season by Madubuike will put the Ravens in a very delicate position next offseason, but the window is open for Baltimore to contend so they better take advantage of what the two defensive linemen have to offer them on the field now and deal with the contract issues later.