According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the deal is worth $40,5 million over three seasons with $25 million in guaranteed payments. This will keep Jones in Baltimore until 2028. Jones is the 26th highest-paid defensive lineman in the NFL with a $13.5m APY. This is an incredible deal, especially considering that Jones is in his third year of playing defensive tackle and is enjoying a great season . he is also the Ravens’ top priority for a contract extension due to the uncertainty surrounding Nnamdi madubuike. It is so good that it’s hard to understand why Jones would agree to it.

Per Zrebiec, here’s why: Jones was in the same situation as Rashod Bateman who, due to a CBA misunderstanding, did not receive a accrued season for 2023 and would have become a restricted-free agent following that season. Jones was eligible to receive a first round RFA tender valued at just over $7.893 or a two-round tender of $5.658 ( , as projected by OverTheCap) rather than hitting free agency in the year 2026.

The Ravens, just like Bateman, knew that they wanted to retain Jones, so they took advantage of the extension opportunity at a reasonable price. Jones is a high-caliber player at a costly position. $13.5 million yearly is incredibly cheap, especially since the future of Baltimore’s defense is uncertain. Jones will be able to make up for the lost earning potential by not going free this spring. Jones will stay with a team where his coaches and teammates respect and appreciate him.

Jones has started every Ravens game this season except one. Jones’s stats are not impressive (34 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits), however, his metrics speak more to his value. The 340-pounder is second on the team in pressures with 27, trailing only C.J. Okoye has a missed tackle rate of 5.7%, according to Pro Football Focus. Okoye has never missed a tackle in 12 attempts or 184 snaps. Jones is also ranked fourth in stops on defense (and the first in the D’line room), according to NextGenStats and PFF (21). The defender is credited with a stop if their tackle results in a positive EPA – in other words, if the play was a failure for offense and a victory for defense.

Jones has achieved all of this while leading the defensive room with 530 snapped and a 67% snap-share when active, a career high. Jones has not only been crucial but also necessary to the Ravens D-line as well as defense in general this season, after Nnamdi Madubuike suffered a neck injury that ended his season. Jones was the Ravens most important player because of the uncertainty surrounding Madubuike’s future.

More information will be added to this story.