Ravens defensive tackle Art Jones signed his restricted free agent tender Wednesday afternoon, ensuring he will be in Baltimore next season.
Jones was given a second-round tender (worth $2.023 million), showing the Ravens' happiness with him after he was originally a fifth-round pick in 2010.
The Syracuse product had a breakout year in which he played in all 16 games (starting six) and recorded 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He also had a sack and fumble recovery in Super Bowl XLVII.
Jones, 26, will be part of a strong defensive line competition this summer with newly-signed veterans Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.
The Ravens still could give Jones a contract extension later this offseason. It's something Owner Steve Bisciotti said he was interested in doing.
Baltimore also announced that linebacker Albert McClellan, 26, signed his exclusive rights free agent tender (worth $555,000). Under that tender, he did not have any rights to negotiate with other teams.
McClellan broke into defensive duty with 11 starts last year all at SAM linebacker until rookie Courtney Upshaw took over.* *He made 49 tackles, had one sack and one forced fumble. In his second year, McClellan also made seven solo special teams tackles.
The former undrafted rookie free agent could slide into inside linebacker this year, as the Ravens currently have open spots with the departures of Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. McClellan started once at inside linebacker during the 2011 season on the Thanksgiving game versus San Francisco.
