The Baltimore Ravens decision to sign safety Tony Jefferson to a 4-year, $34 million contract in March came as a surprise to many. The team’s front office is rarely so aggressive in free agency, especially for a player still in the prime of his career. Furthermore, the safety position was not seen as a pressing need since the duo of Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb performed well last year, especially in the second half of the season.
As usual, general manager Ozzie Newsome devised and executed a shrewd plan by acquiring Jefferson.