The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to sign wide receiver Michael Crabtree on a three-year deal. The new deal will be worth around $21 million with $11 million guaranteed. Adam Schefter gave a few extra details about the signing on Twitter.
Former Raiders’ WR Michael Crabtree reached agreement on a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, per source.
That didn’t take long; unemployed 24 hours.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2018
Ravens giving WR Michael Crabtree a three-year, $21 million deal, including $15 million in first two years and $11 million guaranteed ($7M signing bonus), per source. Deal could be worth up to $20 million in first two years.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2018
Done deal. ? pic.twitter.com/GQ5NAsFXWg
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 16, 2018
Crabtree spent all day Friday at the Ravens training facility. It was important for the Ravens to be the first ones to have a meeting with Crabtree, as he was a very sought after free agent after being released by the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders were able to replace Crabtree with receiver Jordy Nelson.
The Ravens needed to fill the hole at wide receiver. They ranked 29th in passing last season and just needed a new core of receivers for quarterback Joe Flaco. The Ravens also signed receiver John Brown and will more than likely take a receiver in one of the early rounds of the draft.
Crabtree has been a consistent threat in the red zone. He has had 25 touchdown receptions over the past three years, making him fifth in the NFL amongst other receivers. Crabtree also has the 10th-most receptions in the league (579) since entering into the league in 2009.
The Ravens have a solid run game and need to get their passing game in order if they want to stay relevant. Signing Crabtree seems to be a step in the right direction.