BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million extension with Michael Pierce, a source told ESPN's Field Yates on Saturday, preventing the nose tackle from becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Pierce, 31, started all 16 games for a Ravens defense that allowed the fewest points (16.4) and fourth-fewest yards (302.1) in the NFL this season. He had signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with Baltimore in 2022, but restructured his deal in March, making him a free agent in 2024.
In his seventh NFL season, Pierce is third on the Ravens in stop win rate (36.9%) and second among Baltimore defensive linemen with 19 rushing wins. The biggest improvement for Pierce has been his durability. He's played in double-digit games for the first time since 2019, and his 619 shots this season are a career high.
The Ravens' biggest priority on the defensive line is keeping defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who leads interior linemen in the NFL with 13 sacks. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Baltimore (13-3), which has already clinched the top seed in the AFC, hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday in the regular season finale.
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