Media Reaction to Kyle Hamilton's Contract Extension
General Manager Eric DeCosta continues to take care of business this offseason, signing All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to a record-setting, four-year contract extension being the latest move.
The deal, which is reportedly worth $100.4 million with $82 million guaranteed, makes the 24-year-old Hamilton the highest paid safety in the NFL.
"[It's] well deserved, as you all know," DeCosta said at Wednesday's press conference. "[He's a] phenomenal player, phenomenal person, a great leader, [and I am] very, very proud of Kyle [and] everything he brings to the community on and off the field, his family, and we think that this really recognizes his impact on our team and in the community. We're thrilled to get this done and get this off my plate."
Here's a look at what the media is saying about the Ravens extending Hamilton:
The Baltimore Banner’s Kyle Goon: "The Ravens don't make rash contract decisions. They paid him like the NFL's best safety because he is the NFL's best safety — the defensive player who gives them the best chance in the next few years of finally winning another Super Bowl. Hamilton glowingly lauded how Lamar Jackson's MVP-caliber campaigns always put the Ravens in the mix for a championship. Same goes for No. 14.
"I'd bet Jackson can beat Hamilton in a footrace, and Hamilton could probably run Jackson off the table in a game of poker (if teammates' tales are to be believed). But what they have in common is what this franchise talks about a lot: They're force multipliers. They make the talent around them more than the sum of its parts."
The Baltimore Sun’s Josh Tolentino: "General Manager Eric DeCosta was blunt about the timing of negotiations. Talks between the Ravens and Hamilton's reps 'started to heat up about three weeks ago,' DeCosta said, adding that making Hamilton the league's highest-paid safety 'is a responsibility we don't take lightly.' Translation: Baltimore knows what it has and wasn't about to risk losing it. Hamilton's resume already shows a player that's earned every penny.
"Hamilton represents a rare defender who can erase tight ends, chase down slot receivers or crash the pocket with his unique frame and build. He's a pass rusher, nickel corner, linebacker and sure tackler molded into one rising defensive superstar. Call him a safety if you want, but the Ravens just paid Hamilton to be much more."
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec: "Hamilton is a star, just as the Ravens believed he would be. And making sure he remains a Raven for the foreseeable future was one of the easiest calls General Manager Eric DeCosta and company have had to make in a while, even though it came at an eye-popping cost.
"And this also shouldn't be overlooked when you analyze a deal of this magnitude. He leads on and off the field and is quite comfortable being front and center. He's become one of the most vocal Ravens in the locker room, and one of the team's most willing and cooperative players with the media and out in the community. Hamilton gets it, and he understands the responsibility that he now carries. … He checks just about every box, on and off the field, for an organization that knows a thing or two about producing defensive stars and transformational leaders."
“Locked on Ravens” host Kevin Oestreicher: "This is extremely well-deserved for Hamilton. A do-it all player, can play anywhere on the field, and one of the heartbeats, if not the heartbeat of the Ravens defense. … Getting Hamilton in Baltimore and having him stay long term is an absolute win for the Ravens."
Russell Street Report’s Kevin McNelis: "He's earned this extension, but more than that, he's cemented himself as one of the core pieces of Baltimore's long-term plan in the construction of their defense. I love the move. I love what it represents for the continued defensive upside over the next few years, and I love the timing that gives the Ravens some more salary cap flexibility in the late stages of free agency."
Baltimore Beatdown’s Dustin Cox: "Extending Kyle Hamilton was a matter of when, not if, in my mind. You simply do not let players of Hamilton's caliber go. He is not only the best safety in the league, but one of the best and most unique defenders across the NFL. How he fell to the Ravens at pick 14 in the draft is still mind blowing. You cannot say enough about what Hamilton brings to Baltimore's defense. He can line up and play at an elite level at multiple positions on the field, including as a deep safety, a dime back, or in the slot. He is a rare talent that will likely be remembered among the franchise greats on defense one day."
Ravens Have NFL's Best Triplets
Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver Zay Flowers were the catalysts for an offense that led the league in yards last season and averaged 30.5 points per game.
One would be hard-pressed to find a better trio. NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice couldn't, as he put them at No. 1 in his triplets rankings, up three spots from last year.
"In last year's triplets rankings, Baltimore didn't crack the top three because I was worried about how Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would fit together, given their past experiences in divergent offensive systems," Filice wrote. "That concern proved hilariously unfounded, as Lamar authored the best statistical season of his career while King Henry ran for 1,921 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns. I guess [Offensive Coordinator] Todd Monken kind of knows what he's doing.
"Meanwhile, Zay Flowers took a nice step forward in his second NFL season – eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving and making his first Pro Bowl – and he bulked up heading into Year 3. With the ascending 24-year-old complementing a pair of future Hall of Famers, this Ravens trio offers breathtaking dynamism and brute force. It's a devastating combination."
Analysts Predict Jackson Will Win MVP
Having one of the best seasons ever for a quarterback wasn't enough for Jackson to win his third MVP award last season, but NFL.com analysts like his chances in 2025.
A panel of 29 analysts predicted the winners for this season's individual awards, and Jackson was the top vote-getter (11 votes) for MVP.
"He currently is tied with the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, for the best odds (+550) to take home this year's trophy, while the Ravens are tied with Allen's Bills (+330) as the most likely AFC representative in Super Bowl LX," NFL.com wrote.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was second with nine votes. Surprisingly, Allen did not receive a single vote.
Henry (two votes) was tied for fourth for Offensive Player of the Year; Hamilton (two votes) was tied for sixth for Defensive Player of the Year; and safety Malaki Starks (three votes) and outside linebacker Mike Green (one vote) were third and tied for fifth, respectively, for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Trenton Simpson Named Ravens' Biggest X Factor
ESPN’s Ben Solak named each team's biggest X factor. He chose inside linebacker Trenton Simpson for the Ravens.
"The Ravens entered last season with a ton of confidence in Simpson as their LB2 besides Roquan Smith. But the quality of play wasn't there, and he lost almost all of his snaps to Malik Harrison and Chris Board by the end of the season," Solak wrote. "A project linebacker who the Ravens drafted in the third round in 2023, Simpson always looked the part – fluid mover, explosive first step – but got bamboozled by misdirection and swallowed up by size far too often in 2024.
"With another offseason to catch up to the mental aspects of the game, the Ravens are giving Simpson the reins once again. Board and Harrison left in free agency, leaving Simpson unimpeded as the starter next to Smith. Baltimore had the best defense in the league down the back half of last season, when Simpson was largely shelved. So expect opposing offenses to immediately try to attack him in space and force him to find the ball quickly. He needs to rise to the call in a big way for the Ravens to retain their form."
Simpson had a strong training camp and was among the standouts in the Ravens' 30-3 win over the Washington Commanders in the preseason finale last Saturday.
"Trenton has really made a big step this year," Head Coach John Harbaugh said after the game. "I just feel like the way he's processing the game has been a big step. He is a guy that was an All-American running back in high school. He went to Clemson and was learning to play defense all along, came here, and I think you could see that the talent was evident, but this year, he's really taken a big step in terms of just keeping it simple."
