The Ravens have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with running back Justice Hill, rewarding one of the team's key unheralded players.
It's a two-year extension worth $6 million, plus some performance incentives, per The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.
Hill said he was surprised when the Ravens called him with the offer because he wasn't thinking about his deal. He said it came together quickly within the past couple weeks.
"It's been a journey, but it's been an enjoyable one," Hill said. "I'm just blessed to be in this situation. ... I'm a Raven. I've been here six years. There's no place I'd rather be. The grass isn't always greener on the other side."
Hill, 26, was set to become a free agent at the end of the year. It's his third contract from the Ravens, showing the team's strong belief in their 2019 fourth-round pick, who has grinded back from a major injury to become one of their most dependable players.
"Justice has become a really, really good football player," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He's probably one of the greatest shining examples of come to work every day, ready to work every day, be at your best, positive attitude, upbeat, ready to go, nothing too big for him, nothing too small for him. He just wants to be his best and lift everybody up. To see a guy like that get rewarded, to me, that's what it's about."
After emerging primarily on special teams, Hill has evolved into an effective part of the offense, especially as a pass catcher. Backing up Derrick Henry, Hill has eight catches for 62 yards through the first two games this season. He also has five carries for 25 yards.
Hill has established himself as a key blocker on passing downs. He scrapped with star Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones 1-on-1 on the final two plays in Kansas City and held his own, giving Lamar Jackson and the Ravens a chance to win that game at the buzzer. The play impressed Harbaugh, who showed it to the entire team when the reviewed film.
"I definitely got the calls after that one," Hill said with a laugh. "I think it was just overall play, but that might have had something to do with it."
Hill is a player that has overcome a tough start to his career, a testament to younger players trying to make their way. He didn't make much of an impact his first two seasons offensively, then tore his Achilles heading into his third year. He returned stronger in 2022 and hasn't looked back since.
There aren't many fourth-round picks who get third NFL contracts, let alone from the team that drafted them. There are even fewer who do it after a torn Achilles early in their career. Hill is a testament to the rewards of hard work and perseverance.
"I knew that if I just stayed diligent, I would get rewarded," Hill said. "You don't always get what you want right then and there. You get delayed gratification sometimes."
