The Baltimore Ravens made a huge splash in NFL free agency by signing former Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas alongside former New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram.
The Ravens are splashing out their second-biggest ever contract, with Thomas signing a four-year deal worth around $55m with his $32m guaranteed being the largest sum of that nature given to an incoming free agent in team history.
Thomas, arguably the best defensive player available in free agency, held out for a long-term deal with the Seahawks last season before eventually taking to the filed only to break his leg in week four.
Although it was a huge blow for the 29-year-old, it hasn’t affected his ability to land another big contract with the Ravens splashing out to make the six-time Pro Bowler their defensive leader.
Ball Hawk coming.@Earl_Thomas | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/GC5UrfP1Xr
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 14, 2019
With Terrell Suggs, Za'Darius Smith, C.J. Mosley and Eric Weddle all leaving the league’s best defence from last season, the Ravens badly needed a defensive lynchpin and Thomas fills that void perfectly.
An interesting side note to the move is that the Ravens travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next season.
Ingram swaps Saints for Ravens
Running back Mark Ingram is another big-name addition to the Ravens roster, with the 29-year-old pitching up in Baltimore after New Orleans signed Latavius Murray.
Ingram formed a hugely impressive one-two punch with Alvin Kamara last season, and has signed a three-year deal worth $15m.
He got moves moves ❗@MarkIngram22 | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/WqR0eq0s7k
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 14, 2019
Ingram will compete with GU Edwards for touches in the Baltimore backfield, but will need to make some adjustments to fit into Baltimore’s run-first style under new quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens were slated to be interested in Le’Veon Bell, but they always intended to use their salary cap space to bring in Thomas and opted for a safer and more value-for-money option in Ingram.
