The Baltimore Ravens (12-3) have smoothly adjusted to the loss of RB1 J.K. Dobbins and homegrown talent Keaton Mitchell throughout the full season (for the former) and of late (for the latter) having won five consecutive games.
Mitchell, who suffered a torn ACL in the team’s Week 15 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, was replaced on the active roster by veteran Melvin Gordon (who didn't take a snap last Monday), and his hole in the practice squad was filled with the signing of Maryland native RB Jake Funk on Dec. 19.
"I just want to be able to come in here and be able to help in any way possible, whether that’s on the scout team, or whether that’s if they need me in a game, just be able to help this team because there’s Super Bowl talent and Super Bowl intentions on this team. And I’m somebody that has been fortunate enough to be able to have won one of those in my career and just be able to come in and help this team in any way which possible, and that’s what I’ve set myself out to do."Jake Funk, Baltimore Ravens RB
Funk, a Gaithersburg, Maryland native, adds a homegrown element to the Ravens’ roster at a young 25 years of age and it's not out of the question he might be retained for next year with both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbin's contracts running out next spring.
Funk spoke about his expectations for the remainder of the season and touched on his role within the Ravens recently, as quoted by Kevin Oestreicher of Ravens Wire.
"I just want to be able to come in here and be able to help in any way possible, whether that’s on the scout team, or whether that’s if they need me in a game, just be able to help this team," Funk said.
Funk was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, played a part in the Rams’ Super Bowl win in his rookie year along with former and current teammate Odell Beckham Jr., and after spending time in New Orleans, Indianapolis, and Miami, he's now back home in Baltimore, MD.
"There’s Super Bowl talent and Super Bowl intentions on this team," Funk claimed. "I’m somebody that has been fortunate enough to be able to have won in my career and just be able to come in and help this team in any way which possible, and that’s what I’ve set myself out to do.”
This signing marked a full-circle moment for Funk, who, despite already achieving a Super Bowl victory at barely 23 years old, now gets the chance to don the purple and black of the Ravens, the team he grew up dreaming about playing for and as a seasoned veteran with a chip under his belt already.
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