The Baltimore Ravens appear to be looking for help on the edge in the later stages of NFL free agency. They brought in former Rams outside linebacker Matt Longacre for a visit earlier this week, and are considering reuniting with a familiar name.
The Ravens are “considering Pernell McPhee,” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Zrebiec notes that the Ravens “continue to explore what’s left on veteran pass rusher market,” and it sounds like they'll be making a move soon one way or the other.
The Ravens are the team that originally drafted McPhee back in 2011, so the two sides know each other very well. McPhee spent the first four years of his career in Baltimore before landing a big five-year contract from the Chicago Bears in free agency.
McPhee was a fifth-round pick out of Mississippi State, and he turned out way better than your typical fifth-rounder. In his last season in Baltimore in 2014, he racked up 7.5 sacks with 11 tackles for loss and four passes defended despite not starting a game and playing just under half the snaps on defense.
McPhee was a slight disappointment in Chicago, battling injuries and never living up to the potential he showed with Baltimore. Cut after three seasons of that deal, McPhee latched on with the Redskins last season. He appeared in 13 games for Washington but didn't play too much, and he didn't notch a sack while making just 11 total tackles.
McPhee is still only 30, and it's possible that a return to the place he started his pro journey could revitalize his career. The Ravens lost starting outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith to the Packers in free agency, so it makes sense why they're sniffing around the market.
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