The Baltimore Ravens have struck a four-year, $48 million contract extension with cornerback Jimmy Smith that includes $21 million guaranteed, an agreement that locks up one of the top young defensive backs in the NFL.
The total length of the deal is five years, with four additional years added to the year remaining on his rookie contract. The annual average in new money is $10.275 million, according to sources.
Smith got a $13 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary this year, and is due $7 million guaranteed in 2016. He’s due $8.5 million in 2017, $9 million in 2018 and $9.5 million in 2019.
“A lot of credit for this event goes to [agent] Drew Rosenhaus and [vice president of football administration] Pat [Moriarty,]” general manager Ozzie Newsome said during a quickly-arranged press conference at the Ravens’ training complex. “There’s been a lot of dialogue in trying to get an extension for Jimmy. It’s an opportunity to have one of our good young players extend their career here in Baltimore. I think his best football is ahead of him.”
Smith finished last season on injured reserve due to a left foot injury (Lisfranc sprain) that required surgery.
“If he doesn’t get hurt in the Cincinnati game last year, I don’t know where he would have ended up as a player,” Newsome said. “But he was definitely trending up. I just want to thank Jimmy for five more years of football and looking forward to it.”
Before his injury, Smith was playing like one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Smith is expected to make a full recovery.
“I want to thank the Ravens for extending me,” Smith said. “I’m happy to be a Raven. They drafted me, they trusted me. It means a lot that they have my back.”
Smith said he has matured through becoming the father of a son last year.
Smith was noncommittal on his offseason practice schedule, but emphasized he’s made a lot of progress in recovering from his injury.
In eight games last season, Smith had been targeted just 39 times and allowed 20 catches for 163 yards and no touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith also had one interception, eight passes defended and 28 total tackles.
The Ravens exercised their fifth-year option on the 2011 first-round draft pick from Colorado last offseason. Smith’s original four-year rookie contract was due to expire after this coming season.
Smith was originally due a partially-guaranteed $6.898 million base salary this coming season, but will now make $14 million in 2015.
Smith has a $3.6 million salary-cap figure for 2015, down from the $6.898 million fifth-year option he was originally due for this year in cash and salary cap figure.
“If I can just play the whole season, I agree with [Newsome], I that think my best football is still coming, I’m still learning the game,” Smith said. “I’m still having fun with everything. It’s just exciting. Every year, I’m growing.”
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