Ravens Re-Sign TE Dennis Pitta To A Five- Year Deal

Update:

Reports: #Ravens reach 5-year deal with TE Dennis Pitta.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 28, 2014

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Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore, citing leagues sources, reports that the Ravens have reached an agreement on a five-year deal with TE Dennis Pitta.

• Wilson adds that Pitta will receive $16 million guaranteed and $21 million in the first three years of his new contract.
• Albert Breer reports that Pitta will receive a five-year contract worth $32.5 million.
• Tom Pelissero reports that Pitta will make an average base salary of $6.4 million per season.
• Mike Garafolo reports that the Ravens made a “strong offer” to Pitta during the combine that helped to get a deal done without needing the franchise tag.

Recent reports mentioned that the Ravens were making progress towards a contract extension with Pitta, and the fact that they elected to release FB Vonta Leach and ILB Jameel McClain on Thursday seemed to be indication that they were ready to get something done very soon.

The Ravens had said all along that keeping Pitta was one of their priorities this offseason, so getting this contract in place will allow them to shift their focus to LT Eugene Monroe in the coming days. Another benefit of signing Pitta to a long-term deal is the fact that they won’t have to deal with a battle over whether or not Pitta qualifies as a receiver or a tight end based on where he lined up for them.

Pitta, 28, unfortunately suffered a hip injury that cost him most of the 2013 season. He managed to return for the team’s final four games of the season and caught 20 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown.

We had Pitta listed as the No 15 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.