Cornerback would represent a logical position for the Ravens to make a late-offseason addition at, but the same could be true with respect to edge rushers. That leaves Justin Houston‘s situation as one to watch. 
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The 34-year-old has been with the Ravens since 2021, signing a pair of one-year deals each of the past two summers to play for Baltimore. His 2022 pact was worth $3.5MM, a figure which proved to be a bargain for the team considering Houston’s production. The former All-Pro recorded a team-leading 9.5 sacks last season, despite logging a snap share of just 44%.
“The way I feel right now – I’ll be back,” Houston said in January when asked about his intentions heading into free agency. “We’ll see if the chips work out, and I’ll be here. That’s out of my control. We’ll see what they do. [But] I’d like to be back here.”
The former Chief and Colt remains unsigned at this point, but Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes that another new Ravens deal “would surprise no one” (subscription required). Houston has not been linked with any other teams up to now, and Baltimore has little in the way of known commodities in their current edge group. Especially if it were to come on another one-year, low-cost deal, a reunion would make plenty of sense.
The Ravens have veteran Tyus Bowser and 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo set to play considerable pass-rushing roles this season, but each were limited last season as they recovered from Achilles tears. 2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh posted five sacks as a rookie, but that figure dropped to three last season as he also saw his playing time get cut slightly. Rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson is likely to see at least some time playing off the edge in the NFL, as was the case in college, but the only true pass rusher the Ravens drafted this year was fourth-rounder Tavius Robinson.
Given the question marks surrounding the team’s other options at the position, it would indeed not come as a shock if Houston were to find himself in Baltimore (a team which currently has $9.9MM in cap space) by the start of training camp. A repeat of last year’s production could help his value heading into free agency in 2024, or allow him to close out his career on a high note.
“His 2022 pact was worth $3.5MM, a figure which proved to be a bargain for the team considering Houston’s production”.
Bargain indeed! When was the last time a 4 time pro bowler received an average annual salary that is roughly half of what the team is giving to their kicker?