In the latest turn of events, Justin Madubuike gave a positive update relating to his uncertain contract situation with the Baltimore Ravens entering the upcoming off-season. In a recent segment with Glenn Clark Radio, Madubuike had the following to say:
.@JustinMadubuike on why he'd like to re-sign with the #Ravens: "I've grown so much as player, as a person and as a teammate here. I feel like I'm a Baltimorean. It would definitely be great."
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) November 10, 2023
As it stands, Madubuike is set to be a free agent in 2024. The former third-round selection was drafted in 2020, meaning he is now coming to the end of his rookie deal.
However, Madubuike’s clear intention to stay with the team suggests that a deal could be struck before free agency arrives.
Justin Madubuike Gives Positive Contract News
Justin Madubuike’s Ravens Career to Date
Madubuike has slowly evolved into a fan favorite in Baltimore. The young defensive lineman took his time to get going but, over the last two seasons, he has made a positive impact for Baltimore on a consistent basis.
Through his first four seasons in the NFL, Madubuike has managed 16 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits and one forced fumble. In 2023 alone, he has 7.5 sacks. While Madubuike’s uninspired 62.4 PFF grade suggests his play has been average at best, the more reliable eye test has told fans that Madubuike is a true difference-maker on the defensive line.
Six straight games with at least 1/2 a sack for @JustinMadubuike, FRANCHISE RECORD❗
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/NjWYCO3FG5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 5, 2023
What Justin Madubuike Brings to the Ravens
Madubuike’s value to Baltimore has been as great as ever. The first thing to note is the value of the position. While interior defensive linemen never really get the spotlight, they are a huge part of controlling the trenches. Madubuike’s effective play has helped with this vastly. Most of the NFL’s elite outfits have top defensive linemen (Chris Jones, Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis, Javon Hargrave and Ed Oliver, to name a few). For Baltimore, Madubuike serves that purpose.
What adds to Madubuike’s value is his pass rush skillset. While most NFL defensive tackles are space-eaters, Madubuike’s athleticism makes him an effective interior pass rusher too. Defensive tackles with pass-rush skillsets are hard to come by, making Madubuike a rare find.
But why is Madubuike so understated in the national media? He is rarely considered a household name as he has often been left in the shadow of Calais Campbell. However, with Campbell gone, Madubuike and Michael Pierce have taken charge of the Ravens interior defensive line.
What makes Madubuike’s performances in 2023 even more impressive is the lack of consistency on the edge for Baltimore. Odafe Oweh only recently returned from injury and, opposite Oweh has been a rotation of Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo and others. Despite the lack of an elite edge rusher, Madubuike has still managed to put up respectable numbers.
Investigating the Ravens Cap Situation
The Ravens cap situation looks tight in 2024. The team are set to have around $13 million in cap space according to Spotrac. However, they have a number of free agents they need to make decisions about, including Patrick Queen, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and, of course, Madubuike.
General Manager Eric DeCosta’s recent application of void years could be useful if the team are seeking to re-sign Madubuike. Last year, Zach Allen commanded a contract of $27 million over three years, putting him at $9 million APY. Madubuike has not received as much hype as Allen did last off-season. However, he should still command a contract worth between $8 million and $10 million APY.
That would leave Baltimore with just $3-5 million to play with, a situation that would be less than ideal. Should DeCosta put in some void years in Madubuike’s contract, that would take some pressure off 2024, allowing Baltimore to free up more space for a Super Bowl push next season.
Given the latest news about Madubuike’s contentedness with Baltimore, there is a chance that he would elect to take slightly less money to stay with the Ravens even with slightly more lucrative offers elsewhere. Naturally, that would benefit Baltimore greatly.
Main Photo: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
