NFL

Roquan Smith to become NFL's highest-paid linebacker after agreeing $100m deal with Ravens

By Sports Desk January 10, 2023

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed in principle an extension that will make Roquan Smith the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL.

Smith joined the Ravens in an October trade in exchange for a package that included a second-round and a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

That trade followed an offseason stand-off between the Bears and Smith over a new contract.

According to reports, he will now receive the deal he has long since desired, with the Ravens set to pay him $100million over a five-year contract that includes $45m fully guaranteed and $60m in total guarantees.

Smith will become the first off-ball linebacker to earn an average annual salary of $20m.

In his nine games with the Ravens this season, he has racked up 86 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and an interception.

His efforts this season saw him selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Smith had been a second-team All-Pro with the Bears in 2020 and 2021.

Sunday will see Smith, a first-round pick of the Bears in 2018, play only his second playoff game as the Ravens visit the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round.

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