Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce is staying in Baltimore a little longer.
Pierce and the Ravens have agreed on a two-year, $7.5 million extension. The seven-year veteran was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Pierce, 31, started all 17 games this season for the Ravens, who entered Saturday having allowed the fewest points (16.4) and fourth-fewest yards (302.1) per game in the NFL this season.
“It’s very important for me to stay here,” Pierce said after Saturday’s 17-10 loss to the Steelers in the regular-season finale. “I didn’t know that was a possibility at the beginning of the year. I just kind of prayed and let God thank me. [I’m] thankful that I’ve been healthy, and I’m super grateful [that] they wanted me back, so I’m just working and trying to put myself in the best position to be able to play.”
He had signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal with Baltimore in 2022 but restructured it in March, making him a free agent later this year.
Pierce, who has spent all but one season in Baltimore, entered Saturday’s game with 36 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended and one sack this year. He was third on the team in run-stop win rate (36.9%) and second among Ravens defensive linemen with 19 pass-rush wins before Saturday.
He has also been reliable, playing in double-digit games for the first time since the 2019 season.
Pierce said he was not expecting to get a contract extension done before the end of the regular season but is “super grateful that they want me back. I’m just happy to be here.”
Extending Pierce helps shore up a defense that will have several free agents after this season. Baltimore has nearly two dozen players set to hit the open market, notably inside linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who leads all NFL interior linemen with 13 sacks.
The Ravens (13-4), who clinched the AFC’s top seed, the first-round bye and home-field advantage through the conference championship game, will play in the divisional round in two weekends against an opponent that is yet to be determined.
