The Baltimore Ravens announced Thursday afternoon that they have recruited NFL veteran Jason Pierre-Paul. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is for one year and $5.5 million.
Pierre-Paul has been in the NFL for 12 seasons and was originally drafted by the New York Giants in 2010. He won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2012 and won another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. He also made two Pro Boules.
Pierre-Paul visited the Ravens for the first time over the summer and came a second time earlier this week. Head coach John Harbaugh was eager for the front office to sign JPP on Wednesday.
The Ravens need a bit of depth in the pass-rush, and a veteran like Pierre-Paul is definitely that. But his 2021 has not been a banner year for him. In 12 games, he had 31 tackles (three for losses), 2.5 sacks, five QB hits and one forced fumble. Those numbers are a far cry from his 2020 Pro Bowl season, in which he had 9.5 sacks and 55 tackles. His 2.5 sack total in 2021 was the lowest since 2015, which was the season after his right index finger was amputated due to a fireworks accident.
JPP is 33 years old, and his early years are definitely behind him. But he was a Pro Bowler not too long ago, and if he can find some of that form again, he could be a big help for the Ravens.
