Tag: Ravens

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Ex-Cowboys backup Cooper Rush heading to Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cooper Rush, the longtime backup to Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys, has reached an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens.

His agency, Equity Sports, announced the deal but didn’t reveal any financial terms. ESPN reported, however, that Rush will sign a two-year contract that includes $4.2 million in guaranteed money and has a maximum value of $12.2 million.

[SPORTS]

[SPORTS]

Rush signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Central Michigan. He spent the 2020 season on the practice squad of the New York Giants, then returned to the Cowboys the following season.

The 31-year-old has appeared in 38 games with the Cowboys, starting 14 of them with a 9-5 record. Eight of those starts came last season when Prescott had a season-ending hamstring injury, and he was 4-4, completing 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,844 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.

In his career, Rush has 330 completions for 3,463 yards with 20 TDs and 10 interceptions.

In Baltimore, Rush will assume the role as Lamar Jackson’s backup from 38-year-old Josh Johnson. The Cowboys are now left to sign a backup for Prescott.

Trey Lance, who was the third-string quarterback for Dallas last season, is a free agent.

–Field Level Media

Jan 27, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks to the media at a press conference at the Star. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Four teams gain 4 additional picks for 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins each gained a league-high four additional selections in the 2025 NFL Draft based on their losses and signings in last year’s free agency period.

The San Francisco 49ers also received four picks, three of which came through the free agency formula and one for developing DeMeco Ryans as a head coach. The NFL on Tuesday announced the 35 total compensatory picks awarded to 15 teams for the draft.

Compensatory draft picks are awarded when a team is deemed to have lost more or better compensatory free agents (“CFA”) than it acquired in the previous year. All awarded picks are positioned between the third and seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

2025 COMPENSATORY DRAFT PICKS
THIRD ROUND
Minnesota Vikings (97th Overall)
Miami Dolphins (98)
New York Giants (99)
San Francisco 49ers (100)*
Los Angeles Rams (101)*
Detroit Lions (102)*

FOURTH ROUND
Miami Dolphins (135)
Baltimore Ravens (136)
Seattle Seahawks (137)
San Francisco 49ers (138)

FIFTH ROUND
Buffalo Bills (169)
Dallas Cowboys (170)
Dallas Cowboys (171)
Seattle Seahawks (172)
Buffalo Bills (173)
Dallas Cowboys (174)
Seattle Seahawks (175)
Baltimore Ravens (176)

SIXTH ROUND
Los Angeles Chargers (209)
Baltimore Ravens (210)
Dallas Cowboys (211)
Baltimore Ravens (212)
Las Vegas Raiders (213)
Los Angeles Chargers (214)
Las Vegas Raiders (215)
Cleveland Browns (216)

SEVENTH ROUND
San Francisco 49ers (249)
Green Bay Packers (250)
Kansas City Chiefs (251)
San Francisco 49ers (252)
Miami Dolphins (253)
Cleveland Browns (254)
Los Angeles Chargers (255)
Miami Dolphins (256)
Kansas City Chiefs (257)
*Special Compensatory Selection

The CFAs are determined by a formula created by the NFL Management Council that takes into account salary, playing time and postseason honors. The goal is to determine the net loss teams suffer from CFAs during the previous free agent signing period. The formula does not include every free agent lost or signed by a team.

There were 32 compensatory selections awarded under the net loss formula.

2025 NFL COMPENSATORY PICKS
Baltimore (4)
Dallas (4)
Miami (4)
Los Angeles Chargers (3)
San Francisco (3)
Seattle (3)
Buffalo (2)
Cleveland (2)
Kansas City (2)
Las Vegas (2)
Green Bay (1)
Minnesota (1)
New York Giants (1)

The 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions were each awarded a selection under a 2020 amendment to the collective bargaining agreement to promote equal employment opportunities and an inclusive workforce within NFL clubs.

Teams that have a minority employee hired by another club as its head coach or general manager receive a special compensatory draft selection in the third round of each of the next two drafts. If a team has two former minority employees hired into one of those two roles elsewhere, a third year is added.

CFAs LOST/GAINED IN 2024
BALTIMORE
Lost: Jadeveon Clowney, Ronald Darby, Devin Duvernay, Gus Edwards, Patrick Queen, John Simpson, Geno Stone, Kevin Zeitler
Gained: Derrick Henry

BUFFALO
Lost: Gabe Davis, Tyrel Dodson, Leonard Floyd, Dane Jackson, Tim Settle
Gained: Mack Hollins, Austin Johnson, Curtis Samuel

CLEVELAND
Lost: Harrison Bryant, Jordan Elliott, Joe Flacco, Sione Takitaki
Gained: Jordan Hicks, Quinton Jefferson

DALLAS
Lost: Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler, Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith
Gained: None

GREEN BAY
Lost: Yosuah Nijman, Jon Runyan, Darnell Savage
Gained: Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney

KANSAS CITY
Lost: Nick Allegretti, Willie Gay, Tommy Townsend
Gained: Marquise Brown

LAS VEGAS
Lost: Jermaine Eluemunor, Austin Hooper, Josh Jacobs, Bilal Nichols, Amik Robertson
Gained: Harrison Bryant, Gardner Minshew, Christian Wilkins

L.A. CHARGERS
Lost: Michael Davis, Austin Ekeler, Gerald Everett, Austin Johnson, Kenneth Murray
Gained: Gus Edwards, Kristian Fulton

MIAMI
Lost: Raekwon Davis, DeShon Elliott, Robert Hunt, Brandon Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel, Christian Wilkins, Cedrick Wilson
Gained: Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, Kendall Fuller

MINNESOTA
Lost: Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Jordan Hicks, K.J. Osborn, D.J. Wonnum
Gained: Blake Cashman, Sam Darnold, Jonathan Greenard, Shaquill Griffin, Andrew Van Ginkel

N.Y. GIANTS
Lost: Saquon Barkley, Ben Bredeson, Xavier McKinney, A’Shawn Robinson, Tyrod Taylor
Gained: Jermaine Eluemunor, Drew Lock, Jon Runyan, Devin Singletary

SEATTLE
Lost: Jordyn Brooks, Evan Brown, Damien Lewis, Drew Lock, Colby Parkinson, Bobby Wagner
Gained: Pharaoh Brown, Tyrel Dodson, George Fant

SAN FRANCISCO
Lost: Sam Darnold, Clelin Ferrell, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Javon Kinlaw, Ray-Ray McCloud, Charlie Woerner, Chase Young
Gained: Elliott Jordan, Yetur Gross-Matos, Leonard Floyd, Isaac Yiadom

Since the CFA formula was implemented in 1994, a total of 1,005 compensatory picks have been awarded, with Baltimore leading the way with 60.

2025 NFL COMPENSATORY PICKS 1994-2025
Baltimore (60)
Dallas (58)
Green Bay (53)
Los Angeles Rams (51)
New England (48)
San Francisco (46)
Philadelphia (41)
Cincinnati (37)
Pittsburgh (35)
Seattle (35)
Tennessee (33)
Kansas City (33)
Arizona (32)
New York Giants (31)
Buffalo (31)
Minnesota (29)
Los Angeles Chargers (29)
Miami (26)
Atlanta (25)
Indianapolis (25)
Tampa Bay (25)
Las Vegas (25)
Denver (24)
Detroit (24)
Chicago (21)
Jacksonville (21)
Carolina (20)
Houston (19)
Washington (19)
New Orleans (17)
New York Jets (17)
Cleveland (15)
*Not including special compensatory selections

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) against Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks (42) in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Ravens agree to one-year deal with WR DeAndre Hopkins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Five-time Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

It is reportedly a $5 million contract that could reach up to $6 million.

Hopkins, 32, had a down season in 2024 while splitting time between the Tennessee Titans (six games) and Kansas City Chiefs (10). Overall, he caught 56 passes for 610 yards and five touchdowns.

The Ravens undoubtedly see a track record that includes 984 receptions for 12,965 yards and 83 touchdown catches in 178 NFL games.

Hopkins has seven career 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has caught over 100 passes four times. He earned first-team All-Pro honors three straight years (2017-19).

Hopkins spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons with Arizona before being released and he joined the Titans prior to the 2023 campaign.

The Titans traded Hopkins to the Chiefs in late October.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) on field prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Ravens re-sign Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley before free agency

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million deal on Saturday, according to ESPN.

With the new league year and NFL free agency beginning on March 12, the signing comes just two days before the free agency negotiation period kicks off.

Stanley, who turns 31 on March 18, will be one of at least nine left tackles with an average salary of $20 million or more in 2025.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound tackle earned his second career Pro Bowl appearance with a strong 2024 campaign. He also earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 when he was chosen as a first-team All-Pro.

Stanley has started all 104 regular-season games played for Baltimore since he was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played all 17 games last season, marking the first time he has played in every game of a season. Stanley sustained a season-ending ankle injury in 2020 while playing in just six games and played in just one game in 2021 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.

When healthy, Stanley is a force and has helped keep opposing pass rushers from getting their hands on star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams (32) celebrates with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) after recovering a fumble during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Report: Ravens S Marcus Williams expects to be released

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens veteran safety Marcus Williams expects to be released, ESPN reported on Friday.

Williams, 28, was benched down the stretch last season, finishing with no interceptions in 11 games (nine starts).

Last month, the Ravens restructured the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in 2022.

According to OverTheCap.com, the restructuring provided $9.9 million in immediate cap relief and another $2.1 million after June 1. Baltimore would eat $6.7 million in dead money in both 2025 and 2026 by releasing him.

Williams has 20 career interceptions, 56 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and 469 tackles in 108 games (106 starts) with the New Orleans Saints (2017-21) and Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) arrives before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Ravens coming to terms with ‘serious’ allegations facing Justin Tucker

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Baltimore Banner reached out to the Ravens to discuss the allegations coming to light against kicker Justin Tucker, head coach John Harbaugh was in disbelief.

Not knowing the full context of the allegations still coming to light, Harbaugh said he didn’t know the breadth of the situation until he read it himself.

Tucker is accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 victims who were massage therapists at eight different high-end spas between 2012 and 2016.

“It’s not what you want to wake up to and read,” Harbaugh said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine before echoing general manager Eric DeCosta’s assessment of a “serious situation, concerning.”

“There’s too many stories like that that make you feel sad, less than great.”

DeCosta said the Ravens are allowing the NFL investigation into the incidents to play out.

“It’s a tough deal,” Harbaugh said. “That is what we’re trying to do is reconcile it.”

Harbaugh called Tucker about two weeks later on a Sunday morning to check on him and talk “more from a family perspective.”

He made it clear that the circumstances impact the team this week.

“We’re looking at kickers,” Harbaugh said. “You look at every position. We would’ve been looking at kickers anyway. Justin’s our kicker but nobody can go forever.”

Tucker’s representatives told The Banner to refer to the kicker’s lengthy social media post on Jan. 30 in which he vehemently denied all allegations. Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” in that post.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this month he was “surprised” when he got word of the alleged wrongdoing. He addressed the allegations against Tucker during his press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

“They are obviously serious issues and he is taking that seriously as are we,” Goodell said at the time.

The Ravens said in their previous statement that they “take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Tucker, 35, moved to the Baltimore region in 2012 after the Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent. In 13 seasons with the team, he is a five-time All-Pro selection, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at 89.1.

The Banner began investigating a tip received Jan. 9 regarding the allegations involving Tucker.

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Jan 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland (66) looks on during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Report: Ravens OL Ben Cleveland facing DUI charge

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland was arrested in Georgia last week for suspicion of drunk driving, TMZ Sports reported Monday.

According to arrest documents, the 26-year-old Cleveland was pulled over at 10:25 p.m. ET in Milledgeville, Ga., on Feb. 12 after his Ford F-250 truck nearly swerved into a ditch.

Cleveland told officers he consumed “3-4 beers” before getting behind the wheel. He failed a field sobriety test and recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.178, more than twice the 0.08 legal limit, according to police.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office issued citations for DUI and failure to maintain his lane, per the report.

A third-round pick by Baltimore out of Georgia in 2021, Cleveland played in all 17 games for the Ravens during the 2024 regular season. He has played in 54 career games (seven starts).

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) warms up in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Seven more accuse Ravens K Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seven more women have come forward in accusing Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior during massage-therapy sessions, the Baltimore Banner reported on Sunday.

Per the report, the total number of alleged victims reached 16. All of the incidents involving Tucker allegedly took place between 2012 and 2016 at eight different high-end spas in the Baltimore area.

In response to the new allegations, Tucker’s representatives told The Banner to refer to the kicker’s lengthy social media post on Jan. 30 in which he vehemently denied all allegations. Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” in that post.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the allegations against Tucker during his press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

“They are obviously serious issues and he is taking that seriously as are we,” Goodell said at the time.

The Ravens said in their previous statement that they “take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Tucker, 35, moved to the region in 2012 after the Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent. In 13 seasons with the team, he is a five-time All-Pro selection, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at 89.1.

The Banner began investigating a tip received Jan. 9 regarding the allegations involving Tucker.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) shakes hands with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens jockey for shortest odds for Super Bowl LX

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sportsbooks have not come to a consensus on the favorite to win Super Bowl LX next year.

After the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Super Bowl LIX, Philadelphia grabbed favorite status at BetMGM (+650) and DraftKings (+600).

But both the Chiefs and Eagles had the shortest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook at +650, while ESPN BET pegged the Baltimore Ravens as co-favorites with Kansas City at +650 to win it all.

A Kansas City victory on Sunday would have made the Chiefs the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. That result surely would have locked up their status as the team to beat in the 2025 season.

Instead, not only did the Chiefs lose, they were behind 40-6 late before a pair of touchdowns in garbage time. It was tracking to be one of the most one-sided Super Bowls on record before the late scores.

The Chiefs’ loss was perhaps most reflected in their odds at BetMGM. They didn’t even crack the top two, instead settling into a tie for third with the Buffalo Bills at +750, behind both Philadelphia and Baltimore (+700).

The Eagles, for their part, have been to three of the past eight Super Bowls and won two. Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts is just entering the prime of his career at age 26, and the offseason signing of star running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year contract made an immediate difference.

The Ravens have yet to win a Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era. Their path is made more difficult by sharing a conference with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who have won the AFC championship five of the past six years.

The Ravens, Chiefs and Bills were all tied for second on DraftKings’ board at +700 as of this writing.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) warms up in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: 3 more women accuse Ravens K Justin Tucker of misconduct

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three more massage therapists allege Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior during massage sessions, The Baltimore Banner reported Saturday.

The allegations follow a report published by The Banner on Thursday in which six other women made similar accusations.

Tucker released a statement via social media on Thursday vehemently denying the allegations, and the Ravens said in their own statement that they “take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Following the latest allegations, attorneys for Tucker referred The Banner to his statement from two days ago.

The three massage therapists all worked at the same men’s spa in Baltimore. An attorney for the spa owner told the publication that the owner had not previously heard the allegations against Tucker, 35, despite at least one woman detailing reports she made to management about the kicker.

Each of the encounters with Tucker allegedly took place between 2012 and 2016 at high-end spas in the Baltimore area.

Tucker moved to the region in 2012 after the Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent. In 13 seasons with the team, he is a five-time All-Pro selection and is the NFL’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at 89.1.

The Banner began investigating a tip received Jan. 9 regarding the allegations in advance of the Thursday report. The first six women who spoke to the news organization were kept anonymous out of their fear that the Ravens or their fans would retaliate.

Among that group, five accused Tucker of requesting that they “massage his pelvic region or inner thighs while he had an erection,” then proceeding to expose his genitals by moving the sheets laid over him. Two claimed that Tucker brushed them with his exposed penis, and three said that he left “a large wet spot” on their massage tables that they “strongly believed to be ejaculate.”

Tucker said it didn’t happen.

“The allegations in The Baltimore Banner article about me are unequivocally false,” Tucker wrote in a lengthy denial.

“Throughout my career as a professional athlete, I have always sought to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism. I have never before been accused of misconduct of any kind, and I have never been accused of acting inappropriately in front of a massage therapist or during a massage therapy session or during other bodywork. I have never received any complaints from a massage therapist, have never been dismissed from a massage therapy or bodywork session, and have never been told that I was not welcome at any spa or other place of business.”

–Field Level Media