Three weeks after he was rumored to have signed a three-year, $89.7 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens, an ESPN reporter confirmed 20 minutes ago that the tight end for the Baltimore Ravens has paid the team $45.4 million in cash to have his contract with the team terminated with immediate effect. The payout is in exchange for him signing a seven-year blockbuster deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. As the NFL confirmed too, it was confirmed that the franchise tight end inked the deal after his conference meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders this morning, but unfortunately…
Cheaper’ Alternative to Brandon Stephens Named Fit for Ravens.
Limited space under the salary cap means the Baltimore Ravens need to be selective shoppers in 2025 NFL free agency, something they can be by replacing cornerback Brandon Stephens with Minnesota Vikings starter Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Likely Is Focused on Becoming a ‘Chess Piece’ in Ravens Offense
It’s a fit of player and team proposed by Aaron Schatz of ESPN. He pointed out how the Ravens can move on from struggling free agent Stephens, but they face difficulties like not being able to afford premium options like “D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward.”
Fortunately, Schatz believes “Murphy might come a bit cheaper because he wasn’t seen as a star cornerback until his breakout season in 2024.”
Isaiah Likely Is Focused on Becoming a ‘Chess Piece’ in Ravens Offense.
Aside from snatching a career-high six interceptions, Murphy is also an ideal candidate to play in the complex schemes the Ravens favor on the back end of their defense.
Byron Murphy Jr. Suits Ravens’ Coverage Schemes
Isaiah Likely Is Focused on Becoming a ‘Chess Piece’ in Ravens Offense
As Schatz noted, Murphy “would fit a Ravens defense that plays a mix of man and zone defenses; Minnesota played zone 69% this past season — the fourth-highest mark — although Murphy also excelled in man coverage.”
Having the versatility to alternate between different coverage styles and still thrive in matchups in space is an invaluable trait for any corner. Murphy’s flexibility makes him useful across multiple schemes.
