Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce has signed his restricted free agent tender to return next season.
The Ravens placed a second-round tender on Pierce following the 2018 season. Had another team offered Pierce a contract, the Ravens would have been given the right to match. Had the Ravens decided not to match an offer to Pierce, they would have received a second-round pick in return.
Pierce is entering his fourth season with the Ravens and has steadily improved to become one of the team's primary run-stoppers. After last season, Pro Football Focus graded Pierce as the team's top defensive player on a unit that was ranked No. 1 in the NFL.
Pierce and defensive tackle Brandon Williams give the Ravens one of the NFL's premier defensive tackle combinations. The Ravens and Pierce can still agree to a long-term contract. If Pierce does not sign a contract before the new league year begins in March of 2020, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
