The Baltimore Ravens are already looking ahead when it comes to their current players and free agency. According to The Athletic’s Nick Underhill, Baltimore has begun talking to fullback/defensive lineman Patrick Ricard about a contract extension.
In his first year as general manager, Eric DeCosta has brought in a new philosophy for building the roster and dealing with contracts. For a number of reasons, DeCosta has favored signing some of their players before their contracts are up. By giving players contract extensions early, Baltimore is looking to retain some of their biggest names — something that has been a problem throughout franchise history. DeCosta has also talked extensively about trying to be smarter with their salary cap, with the hope that extending players early means signing them to cheaper deals than if they hit the free-agent market.
This offseason, Baltimore has signed cornerback Tavon Young, kicker Justin Tucker and guard Marshal Yanda to extensions before their current deals were up.
Ricard has had an excellent preseason. He has arguably been Baltimore’s most improved player, making plays both on offense and defense with regularity. Ricard was even our Player of the Game in the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Through three games and 58 total defensive and special teams snaps, Ricard has accounted for two sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, one pass defensed, one fumble recovery and five combined tackles. He’s simply been everywhere on defense, and on offense he’s been blowing up defenders as a fullback.
