It doesn't seem that Chidobe Awuzie was expecting to part ways with the Tennessee Titans just one year into a three-year, $36 million contract.
But that was his reality on March 15 when the Titans released him. Less than two weeks later, he became a Baltimore Raven, inking his contract Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center while clad in purple.
"When I got released from the Titans, it took some time for me to really sit down and figure out what I wanted and where I wanted to go," Awuzie said. "The same questions I kept asking myself, the Ravens checked every box."
Head Coach John Harbaugh did some recruiting, and Awuzie said he was a "huge" part of why he chose Baltimore. Awuzie said he just got a good feeling from talking to Harbaugh, reminiscent of the same feeling he got when deciding to go to Colorado to play in college.
"John Harbaugh is a man of conviction and a man of faith," Awuzie said. "I could definitely tell the energy that he has and Coach Zach [Orr] and Coach [Chuck] Pagano, and pretty much everybody."
Even though he's from San Jose, Ca., Awuzie's brother grew up a Ravens fan.
"We know a lot about the Ravens and there's a standard and a culture to uphold," he said. "There's a challenge for me to make sure that I'm bringing that every day.
"I'm really honored to be a part of this organization. I know everything has to be earned, so that's where really my mind is focused on."
Awuzie also has AFC North familiarity after spending three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (2021-2023). He specifically remembers a 2022 "Sunday Night Football" game at M&T Bank Stadium and the Ravens' all-black uniforms.
"I was like, 'Bro, what is this place. Like, this is a dungeon.' It feels ominous or something," Awuzie said. "I don't know, but the energy was crazy.
"I'm excited to go against all these [AFC North] teams again and now being on this side of it, I think I'm on the right side and will have a lot of fun with it."
Awuzie is expected to step into the cornerback spot vacated by Brandon Stephens, who left for the New York Jets in free agency. He'll be playing alongside Marlon Humphrey, who was in his same 2017 draft class, Nate Wiggins, and others.
He said he's not worrying about his role. First and foremost will be staying healthy after a groin injury limited him to just eight games last season, and he said he's been focused on training differently.
Awuzie will turn 30 years old in May. He played in Super Bowl LVI with the Bengals in 2022, and he wants to go back and finish the job with the Ravens.
"There's a lot of things to prove," he said. "I'm going to continue to chase that [Super Bowl] as long as I'm in the league."
