Baltimore Ravens step up rush and agree to $ 4million, one-year deal with Justin Houston, sources say



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OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Baltimore Ravens have signed outside linebacker Justin Houston to a one-year contract worth up to $ 4 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This is a big decision for the Ravens, who added the best assist available to fill their team’s biggest hole. Houston, 32, is a quadruple Pro Bowl defenseman who has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the past four seasons.

Baltimore’s pass rush was a major question mark after losing Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency. The Ravens drafted Odafe Oweh in the first round, but they had no one on their current roster who had more than four sacks in 2020. Baltimore also had the fewest NFL sacks in the past two years when he didn. did not blitz (26).

Houston, 32, received offers from multiple teams but chose to sign with the Ravens because he believed they gave him the best chance of getting his first Super Bowl ring, a source said. He visited Baltimore in April, but the parties could not agree on a fair price until three months later. The Ravens, who were limited by cap space ($ 8.8 million), have a habit of spending more on their high school than the couriers.

The Ravens also showed interest in Houston in 2019 before signing with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. In 32 games with the Colts, Houston has recorded 19 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, 21 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and three safeties.

Houston joins a group of Ravens outside linebackers that include Oweh, Tyus Bowser, Pernell McPhee, Jaylon Ferguson, Daelin Hayes, Chris Smith and Aaron Adeoye.

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