According to multiple sources, and even the Baltimore Ravens themselves, cornerback Jimmy Smith has re-signed with the team on a one-year deal. According to reports, the Ravens will pay Jimmy Smith up to $6 million on his one-year contract in 2020.
Jimmy Smith has been a fixture of the Ravens’ secondary since the team drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, but has had problems staying on the field. Smith has faced injuries and suspensions during his 10-year career, playing in every game of the season only twice (2013 and 2015).
Re-signing Smith was an obvious priority for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, but many were concerned Smith could leave Baltimore. The Ravens already have two starting cornerbacks in front of Smith on the depth chart in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. The former first-round pick tested the market but found that the Ravens were still the best buyers. In the end, the $6 million deal may not have been what Smith wanted, but it’s what he got.
Baltimore also re-signed defensive back/linebacker Anthony Levine, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. Levine has been a key figure in the Ravens defense for years and plays a hybrid safety/linebacker position no one else can fill. Zrebiec did not report the financials of the deal, but he did report that Levine’s contract will only last one year.
Both players won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens.
The moves put extra pressure on Baltimore’s cap situation, but not too much. According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Jimmy Smith deal only contains $3.5 million in guaranteed money with an additional $2.5 million in incentives.
Jimmy Smith contract is even better for the Ravens than what's been reported. It is actually 1 year with just $3.5m, guaranteed. With playtime incentives could earn an additional $2.5m if he plays a lot.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 23, 2020
According to Spotrac, the Ravens currently have about $6.5 million in cap space. Smith’s contract will eat up $3.5 million immediately, and Levine’s unknown number will take a bite too, but the Ravens are probably still under the cap limit. Baltimore can free more space up by either signing Judon to a long term contract where the money is spread out over time or by trading him. Baltimore has other options too, but Judon’s nearly $16 million cap hit needs to be reduced.
