Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, meaning he is headed for a big payday in free agency this offseason.
Does that mean Madubuike may be leaving the Ravens?
“In terms of Baltimore, man, that’s home,” said Madubuike, via Grant Gordon of NFL media. “But, you know, business is business, and that side is going to take care of itself.”
He added that he isn’t concerned about contract negotiations, saying that he will let his “agent worry about that.”
Given that the Ravens don’t have much cap room heading into the offseason, it stands to reason that Madubuike may very well have played his final game with the franchise.
The 26-year-old appeared in every contest this year, racking up 56 tackles, 13 sacks and a forced fumble en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Madubuike, who played his collegiate football at Texas A&M, was selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He had a very limited role during his rookie campaign, playing in 10 games and logging 19 tackles and a sack. His niche expanded a bit in his sophomore season, as he participated in 15 contests and finished with 36 tackles and a couple of sacks.
Madubuike continued to show improvement in 2022, recording 42 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three passes defended.
However, it wasn’t until this past season that Madubuike really broke through, and it may end up making it difficult for the Ravens to keep him in March.
Baltimore boasted the sixth-ranked defense in the NFL this season, and much of that had to do with Madubuike’s dominance on the interior.
If the Ravens end up losing him next month, it will be interesting to see how the club replaces him.
Baltimore went a league-best 13-4 this season and ultimately fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
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