The Baltimore Ravens signed tight end Dennis Pitta to a new contract worth $32 million. This is over the span of five years.
After emerging as a reliable weapon for quarterback Joe Flacco in the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl run, Pitta sat out most of the 2013 season with a dislocated and fractured hip, according to Reuters. Pitta returned for the final four games though, and he caught 20 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Pitta's injury was a contributing factor to Flacco's struggles, as he threw 22 interceptions. According to Baltimore Sun, the Ravens were close to being forced to use the franchise tag on Pitta.
This would have created controversy because he wanted to be paid like a wide receiver, which would have forced the Ravens to pay him $11.5 million for the 2014 season if they paid him like a wide receiver. The tight end's franchise tag price is $6.709 million.
This deal leaves the Ravens with one less issue to deal with, and Pitta will look to re-emerge as one of Flacco's favorite targets as the Ravens hope to return to the playoffs.
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