NFL Rumors: Baltimore Ravens Reward Griffin With Contract Extension

Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Robert Griffin III got a new lease in Baltimore after the backup quarterback was given a contract extension recently. While he may have appeared only in three games last NFL season, his mentorship on Lamar Jackson may have been the reason for the contract extension.

Last NFL season, Griffin signed a one-year contract worth $1 million. His primary role was to back up starting quarterback Joe Flacco, but he made quite an impression when he took in Jackson during training camp.

"I'm trying to help nurture him as much as I possibly can so that when he flies away, he is ready to fly away. Because when you watch it fly away, at that point it's up to that bird," Griffin told Sports Illustrated.

Despite limited exposure, Griffin put in good numbers as well in the NFL preseason for Baltimore. That included completing 65.9-percent of his attempts along with two touchdowns. He was also sacked seven times in four games, according to the Bleacher Report.

The upcoming NFL season could be different for the Ravens with Flacco getting traded to the Denver Broncos. The Ravens got a fourth-round pick in exchange, NFL.com reported.

With Jackson expected to be the Ravens starting quarterback for the 2019 NFL season, re-signing Griffin make sense. The former Heisman Trophy winner has been doing a great job so far on the upcoming sophomore, a relationship that could immensely benefit the Ravens.

Aside from Griffin, there are other things Baltimore needs to address. They were looking for a pass rusher but their prospect, Justin Houston, ended up signing with the Indianapolis Colts. The deal was reportedly worth $24 million for two years.

With Houston out of the market, the Ravens will now have to scamper and look at who is still available. Among the remaining players include Ziggy Ansah, Nick Perry, or Adrian Clayborn. It is likely that Baltimore will settle for these branded "consolation" names but on a short-term lease.

The 2019 NFL Draft is another potential source to fill in their manpower requirements, assuming they have done the proper scouting on the incoming freshmen.

Other major moves the Ravens pulled recently include the addition of safety Earl Thomas and running back Mark Ingram. Thomas signed a four-year deal worth $55 million, while Ingram agreed to a three-year deal worth $15 million.