The Ravens won’t be signing Jake Long after all. Despite passing an exit physical with Falcons in January and another with Dr. James Andrews this week, Long declined to sign an injury waiver today and, therefore, remains a free agent, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link). 
Long tells Schefter that his knee feels great and indicated that he was happy with by Andrews’ review of his knee this week. With what he deems to be good medical news, Long says that he still looks forward to playing this season. However, it’s unclear where he might try and make that happen. Long had a visit with the Bears earlier in the offseason, so it’s conceivable that Chicago could come calling again.
Long, 31, spent the 2015 season with the Falcons after signing on midway through September. The former No. 1 overall pick was hoping to have a bounce-back season in Atlanta but he wound up only appearing in four games and he didn’t start in any of those contests. In the year prior, Long saw time in just seven games for the Rams last season due to a torn ACL. In the year before that, Long also tore his ACL in St. Louis.
In 2014, Long’s last season which could be measured by advanced metrics, Pro Football Focus ranked Long as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. In 2013, however, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on PFF’s advanced metrics. Those numbers suggest that Long could still be a productive player if he can return to full health.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Yeah I know he’s not what he “used to be” BUT the Seahawks have O’line needs, they just signed Jahri Evans from New Orleans who has just as much injury concern as Jake Long. Why Seattle didn’t you at least invite Long in for a visit, like you did with Evans? IMO Long would still be worth the invite, what’s the worst that could happen, He proves he’s still got talent and improves our O’line? May regret this choice Hawks