On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens announced the signing of defensive back and special teams player Jordan Richards to a new one-year deal. Richards joined the Ravens in late October of 2019 to replace Justin Bethel, who the Ravens had cut to recuperate a fourth-round compensatory pick. Richards was cut by the Patriots to make room for Bethel.

Richards assumed Bethel’s role as the special teams ace in Baltimore. While special team players are often overlooked, Richards made his impact known, especially in week 17 against the Steelers. After a botched punt attempt by the Steelers, Richards scooped up the football and took it into the endzone for a touchdown. Richards recorded seven total special teams tackles for the Ravens in 2019.

The Baltimore Ravens are known for having some of the best special teams units in the league, year in and year out. This signing keeps a solid special teams producer in Baltimore and gives the special teams unit continuity going into 2020.

Richards was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He was originally designated as a safety but Richards did not impress on the Patriots. He played just three seasons in New England before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2018. Richards remained in Atlanta for the entirety fo the 2018 season, but the Falcons opted to re-sign him. After playing for the Falcons, Richards departed the east coast for the west coast and signed with the Oakland Raiders. Richard’s stint in Oakland was cut short, as he was cut at the end of the preseason. After remaining at large for a few months, Richards signed with the New England Patriots in October of 2019. He was later cut to make room for his replacement Justin Bethel on the Patriots roster.

Richards’ one-year deal will keep him in Baltimore throughout 2020.

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