The Baltimore Ravens announced on Monday they’ve agreed to a four-year, $98 million contract that includes $70 million in guarantees and $50 million at signing. That’s quite a haul for a guy that only two years ago had 5.5 sacks on the season.
But something changed for Madubuike last season. It can be traced back to last year’s frustrating Wild-Card playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr leaned towards Maduibuike and told him he saw visions of an All-Pro fourth season. That’s exactly what happened last season when Mudubuike finished with 13 sacks to lead all defensive tackles.
“Justin is not only one of the best defensive tackles in the National Football League, but he’s one of the best football players overall,” Orr said at Madubuike’s introductory press conference.
“It’s just an exciting time. I’d like to thank Zach [Orr],” Madubuike said “It’s crazy, we talked about this right after the [Cincinnati] Bengals [2022 Wild Card] game. After that long, 100-yard [fumble return] touchdown, everybody was just feeling bad about themselves, and me and Zach just gave each other a hug like, ‘You had a great year. I already know next year you’re going to turn up. You’re going to be All-Pro. You’re going to be Pro Bowl. I can see it. I can feel it.’ At that moment, I knew, [saying to myself] ‘I’m going to take a month off, and I’m going to literally work my butt off to be one of the best in the league.’”
The Ravens initially placed the franchise tag on Madubuike to ensure exclusive negotiation rights. It took a matter of weeks for the deal to get hammered out. Now Madubuike will be in Baltimore for years to come.
Madubuike once looked up to veteran defensive tackle Calauis Campbell for advice when he first got into the league out of Texas A&M. Now Madubuike is excited about being a veteran player to set the example for younger ones initially.
“I feel like I’ve always been that guy that is always open to giving information [and] to help people out,” Madubuike said. “I feel it’s going to be more now with just the success I have had on the field and just the type of person that I am. I’m always open to help people out and be that guy, definitely, for young guys to ask questions [and] look forward to or count upon for information. Yes, for sure.”
The Ravens need all the help they can get along the defensive line. Having Madubuike at defensive tackle in front of inside linebacker Roquan Smith gives the Ravens a tough battery up the middle.
Baltimore has always been a defensive minded team. They’ll continue to do so with Madubuike as one of their franchise players.
“What I see in the future is just continued greatness, continued,” Madubuike said. “[I] just [want to have] impact on the game, just being a force, being a cornerstone to this defense.”