John Harbaugh 'not surprised' Raven can break sack record

The Ravens defense has established itself as one of the best units in the league. A big reason why is the breakout year of one of their defenders who has the chance to break a sack record in Week 15.

DT Justin Madubuike has at least a half-sack in 10 consecutive games and is just one game away from tying Chiefs DT Chris Jones for the longest all-time streak among interior defensive linemen. Jones had 11 consecutive games with at least half a sack in 2018.

Baltimore's third-round pick in 2020 has been a pleasant surprise this season after posting 8.5 sacks through his first three seasons. Madubuike has 11 this year, and although he knows he's close to the record, he's trying not to think about it.

"It's on my mind, but I don't worry about it," Madubuike said via the team's website. "I don't like to make it the forefront of my mind."

However, head coach John Harbaugh can't stop thinking about the record and has high expectations for Madubuike to crush it.

"I'm for tying the record and then I'm for beating the record and I'm for extending the record," Harbaugh told reporters. "He's having a fantastic season, not surprising. ... There's nothing about him that isn't an A-plus."

The Ravens are certainly ecstatic to see Madubuike finally have the season they knew he could have but it does leave them in a difficult situation following the year.

Madubuike's rookie contract expires at the end of the season and the team will need to figure out if it can pay him. Baltimore surely wants to, but after paying QB Lamar Jackson his five-year, $260M mega-contract last offseason, money will be tighter this time around.

The 26-year-old is expected to receive a three-year, $55.37M deal, per Spotrac. However, the franchise tag is always an option to prevent him from reaching free agency.

Nonetheless, the Ravens will try and take advantage of Madubuike's breakout year while they can in hopes of making a Super Bowl run this season.