The speculation started as soon as the news broke.
Would the Ravens bring back future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed after the Houston Texans cut him Tuesday?
Head Coach John Harbaugh put that question to rest when he addressed it Wednesday.
"There are no plans to change our secondary personnel at this time," Harbaugh said. "We're happy with what we have. Our guys are playing well, so that's where we're at."
First-round pick Matt Elam has taken over Reed's old free safety spot, and veteran James Ihedigbo has been the starting strong safety all season. The Ravens also have young safeties Anthony Levine, Omar Brown and Brynden Trawick in reserve roles and as key special teamers.
As such, the Ravens won't opt to take on his reported $411,000 in salary.
Reed, 35, played just seven games with the Texans and was not nearly as productive as he was during his time in Baltimore. Reed registered just 16 tackles and no interceptions, and recently lost his starting job.
Despite the preference to stay with his current lineup, Harbaugh still praised the player who is arguably the greatest safety to ever play the game.
"He'll always be a Raven," Harbaugh said. "I'm sure he will be in the Ring of Honor someday, and I'm sure he'll be in the Hall of Fame someday. We've kept in touch with Ed on and off here regularly. He's a good friend of everybody here."
The news of the decision sent a shockwave through the NFL, including the Ravens locker room.
"I was very shocked," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "But then again I can't really comment or speculate on it because I don't play for the Houston Texans, so I don't know what's going on with it. I'm a Baltimore Raven, and I'm really focused on what's happening here in this building, but it's definitely a shock. It's stunning."
