Mike Green nearing rookie deal as second-round contract momentum builds

Green, the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, was a monster at Marshall, where he had 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in 2024. His dynamic speed and explosiveness off the line made him a consistent presence in the backfield, and made him a key target in the NFL Draft. After a fall in the draft due to off the field concerns, he finally landed in a great spot, with a team who views him as someone who can immediately contribute to their pass-rush rotation.

This deal comes amidst a slow moving contract process for almost every second round pick. Following Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Texans wideout Jayden Higgins securing fully guaranteed rookie deals, agents of other draftees are now pushing for similar terms. Many teams have been hesitant to budge, which has caused a massive delay for these drafted players. 

For nearly two months, most of the second-round picks remained entirely unsigned. But the stalemate is seemingly starting to break. 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins, Bears defensive tackle Shemar Turner and now Green have all reached a deal. While these contracts are not fully guaranteed, they do have larger guarantees, especially when compared to previous second-round picks. This increase in guarantees allows players to secure a stronger financial position down the road. 

For Baltimore, securing a deal with Green before camp is critical. The team is one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, and it will need Green to develop to become a part of this movement. His blend of speed, power and proven production gives him a strong chance to make an early impact, if he can become integrated into the teams defensive scheme. 

With the deal now nearly finished, Green can set his sights to the football field. He has immense upside to be a massive part of this defense, and now it is all about working on his craft during training camp.