Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens drum line during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Helmet. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
Right before the NFL playoffs kicked off, a former Minnesota Vikings defender prolonged his stay in Baltimore.
He’s defensive tackle Michael Pierce, now attached to the Ravens’ roster for the next two seasons, avoiding 2024 free agency altogether.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported on January 6th, “The Ravens have agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million extension with Michael Pierce, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday, which keeps the starting nose tackle from becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.”
The Ravens host the Houston Texans on Saturday for a Divisional Round playoff matchup and are favored by nine points to prevail.
Pierce told ESPN about the extension 12 days ago, “I didn’t expect it, but I’m super, super grateful that they want me back, and I’m just happy to be here. It’s home to me. So for me to be able to wrap my career up here, it’s a dream come true.”
The veteran defender played the entire season for Baltimore — he did not miss a game — seeing action on 55% of defensive snaps while recording 42 tackles, 3 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Pierce also fired up an exemplary 77.0 Pro Football Focus grade, good enough for 17th-best among all defensive tackles. Put bluntly, the man has balled out in his seventh NFL season and shows no signs of regression at age 31.
The departure of Pierce from Minnesota after the 2021 season was bittersweet because the nose tackle was terrific on the field — when he played.
On the whole, however, Pierce only played in 24% of games after signing his deal with the Vikings. In 2020, he opted out of the season due to COVID precaution — he has asthma — and then the team mismanaged various Pierce injuries in 2021.
Overall, Pierce tallied three sacks and twenty combined tackles — in eight games with the Vikings. He was Rick Spielman’s “splash signing” during the 2020 offseason.
The two-year, $7.5 million pricepoint was a steal of a deal for Baltimore and should help the Ravens maintain their spot as the NFL’s top defense in 2023 per DVOA.
The Ravens also employ former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (RB), Laquon Treadwell (WR, PS), and Dan Chisena (WR, PS).
Pierce will turn 32 in November.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.