Ravens, Suggs agree to cap-friendlier extension

Terrell Suggs has become the face of the team after the departures of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. (USATSI)

The Ravens have agreed to terms with OLB Terrell Suggs on a long-term extension, according to a team source.

Baltimore, with fairly limited cap room and a host of free agents to try to re-sign, will substantially lower Suggs' $12.4M cap hit, the source said, and add at least three years to the one year remaining on his deal.

Suggs, the 2012 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is now poised to retire a Raven, having spent his previous 11 NFL seasons in Baltimore. The Ravens also aim to retain left tackle Eugene Monroe, tight end Dennis Pitta, linebacker Daryl Smith and defensive tackle Art Jones (he may prove too costly), and Baltimore could restructure the deal for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata as well because he has a $16M cap hit.

Suggs is Baltimore's all-time leader in sacks and forced fumbles, but general manager Ozzie Newsom had alluded to possibly making a difficult decision on his status given his slump last season, increasing age and high cap number. But retaining Suggs, in many ways the face of the franchise with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis no longer there, was a top priority, and the Ravens can use his cap savings to address other issues.

The team has announced a press conference with Suggs for Monday and Suggs is presently on his way from his home in Arizona to Baltimore for the announcement tomorrow.

NFL Hot News

WR Jeremy Maclin wants to remain with Eagles

Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said Saturday that he would like to keep playing for the Eagles. Whether that happens will be left up to the team, which has Maclin and Riley Cooper scheduled to become free agents, and the Eagles probably can't keep both.Maclin's rehab from a torn ACL will factor into that decision, but for what it's worth, Maclin continues to say that he is on track for the summer's training camp."Training camp is no question," Maclin said. "OTAs I'll be able to run around and stuff, probably just without contact. I'm in a very good place at this stage of my rehab."



Given Maclin's big-play ability -- he registered at least 11 plays of 20 yards or more in each of his first four seasons -- staying in Chip Kelly's offense seems like the best scenario for him, and the Eagles should love having a healthy Maclin back. They should do whatever they can to keep him around. He could be a solid WR2 in fantasy if he comes back and stays at full strength.