The Baltimore Ravens got their offseason started with a bang, agreeing to a long-term contract with star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. After originally slapping the franchise tag on him, Baltimore eventually worked out a long-term deal that pays him like the high-end pass rusher he was last year.
Madubuike's contract is worth $98 million over four seasons, meaning the only defensive tackle in the league who makes more in yearly salary is future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. Madubuike's first three years were fairly standard, but he managed to kick it up a notch for a 14-3 Ravens team that went to the AFC Championship game.
Some observers, especially from other fanbases who balk at the money Madubuike earned off one breakout season, were a bit stunned. While it might sound like an outrageous deal at first glance, the Ravens realized their best chance at building a Super Bowl winner is giving Madubuike this big payday.
3 reasons Justin Madubuike deserved Baltimore Ravens' payday
3. Fresh off a career year
Madubuike picked the best time to exceed his combined sack total from the last three seasons. After making his mark as a rotational lineman who can make some stuffs in the run game and mix in occasional pressures, Madubuike turned into someone that offensive coordinators had to focus their entire gameplan on.
Madubuike recorded 13 sacks last year, even setting a record for most consecutive games with at least one-half sack. Contract year bumps may be a real thing, but going from where he was before to putting together one of the finest seasons a defensive tackle has had in the last half-decade signals more legitimate improvement.
Justin Madubuike became elite for the Baltimore Ravens
While he may never be Haloti Ngata as a run defender, Madubuike certainly performs well in that area. The Texas A&M product was a force multiplier who helped the entire defensive line, as Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy each had career years rushing the passer as teams focused in on him.
The Ravens know the value of tremendous defensive linemen, and they have built themselves on the back of developing strong talent in-house and paying them before they hit the open market. Signing Madubuike is right in line with their organizational philosophy, especially since his level of play will change and defense's fortunes.
2. Lack of quality replacement options
Let's take Chris Jones out of the equation for a second, as signing him would have been a complete fantasy land move. If the Ravens didn't go after Christian Wilkins, who was an inferior player compared to Madubuike last season, what would their interior defensive line depth even look like?
Brent Urban is both an aging veteran and a free agent, Michael Pierce might be one of the most one-dimensional players on defense in the NFL, and former third-round pick Travis Jones hasn't shown a scintilla of the pass rush upside Madubuike has. Without him, an elite defense would lose one of their best players.
The Baltimore Ravens could not have replaced Justin Madubuike
Unless Baltimore spent its No. 30 pick on either Johnny Newton or Byron Murphy II (both of whom are unlikely to fall that far), they would be out of a starter and lacking a long-term succession plan. The gap between Madubuike and an average defensive tackle is cavernous, and it would be a major blow to a first-year coordinator in Zach Orr.
Madubuike undoubtedly had leverage, and he utilized it to top the contract that Quinnen Williams received from the New York Jets. With the market thin at his position and the Ravens needing all hands on deck in the next few years, Madubuike correctly identified the fact this defense needs him to perform at his best to reach their full potential.
1. Maximizes Super Bowl window
Trite as it may be, it's no less true. Madubuike staying in Baltimore prevents him from going to the highest bidder in the AFC. Multiple contenders could have had their eyes on Madubuike, which would have both hurt Baltimore and given a rival an All-Pro performer at a key area.
The Texans were linked to Madubuike, a Dallas native, if the Ravens let him hit the open market, and multiple big-name analysts tried to sell the public on Madubuike joining the rival Bengals. Madubuike is back in Baltimore, which is needed in the very competitive AFC.
Justin Madubuike keeps the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC
The Ravens should be willing to throw caution to the wind in the next few years. Lamar Jackson has a few more prime seasons left, and Baltimore would be doing everyone a disservice if they don't spend every last penny and make every relevant cap cut with the aim of building the league's most complete roster on both sides of the ball.
In an AFC with emerging contenders like the Texans and Dolphins, venerable foes like the Bengals and Chiefs, and potential disruptors like the Bills and Jets, the Ravens' hold on the top spot in the conference is tenuous, at best. Madubuike committing for the last four years shows that management is going all-in on this title push.