Former $36 Million Cornerback Signs with Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have made a move to bolster their secondary by signing former Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to a one-year contract. This signing marks a low-risk addition for Baltimore, as Awuzie, who has played for several NFL teams, joins the Ravens on a minimum deal. The Titans, who initially signed Awuzie to a three-year, $36 million contract in 2024, will pay him $7.5 million during the 2025 NFL season, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Awuzie, an eight-year veteran in the NFL, brings a wealth of experience to the Ravens’ defense. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Colorado. Over the course of his career, Awuzie has started in 81 games and has recorded seven career interceptions. His tenure with the Cowboys lasted from 2017 to 2020, before he signed a three-year, $21.75 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
After his stint with the Bengals, Awuzie signed with the Titans in the 2024 offseason. Unfortunately, Awuzie’s time with Tennessee was marred by injuries. He started in seven games during the 2024 season but was forced to miss nine games due to a groin injury. Despite the setbacks, Awuzie still managed to record 26 tackles, one interception, and four pass deflections in his limited action for the Titans.
For the Ravens, Awuzie offers a veteran presence to a secondary that struggled in 2024. Baltimore allowed the second-most passing yards in the league that season, surrendering 4,468 yards through the air. Given this, cornerback depth became a significant priority for the Ravens, and Awuzie’s experience should help address some of the team’s defensive weaknesses in the upcoming season.
Awuzie’s signing is part of a broader effort by the Ravens to improve their pass defense, which was a glaring issue last season. With a career that has seen him play at a high level in both the NFC and AFC, Awuzie brings a solid skill set to a team that needs to shore up its defensive backfield. His familiarity with various defensive schemes and his ability to match up against top-tier receivers will be valuable to Baltimore.
Although the Ravens were able to acquire Awuzie on a minimum deal, his background suggests that he still has the potential to contribute significantly. The Ravens’ defense has seen major turnover in recent years, and Awuzie’s leadership and experience could be instrumental in developing some of the younger cornerbacks in Baltimore’s system.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Ravens will be hoping that Awuzie can stay healthy and provide a steady hand in a secondary that has undergone changes. His signing should give the Ravens more flexibility in their defensive alignments and add depth to a position group that has been a question mark for the team.
Overall, while Awuzie’s career has been somewhat inconsistent due to injuries, his experience and potential to contribute as a veteran cornerback make him a solid addition to the Ravens’ defense. If he can stay healthy, the Ravens may find themselves with a cornerback who can help stabilize their secondary for the 2025 season.
