In signing Terrell Suggs to one of the most lucrative contracts - six years, $63 million - in NFL history Wednesday, the Ravens contend that it is more of an investment in the future than a reward for his first six seasons with the team.
His $33 million in bonus money tops that of all defensive players and ranks him behind only Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who received $34 million in bonuses.
Suggs' $38 million in guaranteed money exceeds the totals for Jared Allen ($31 million) and Dwight Freeney ($30 million), two pass rushers who have NFL sacks titles (something Suggs has yet to accomplish).
So, did the Ravens overpay Suggs?
"Just because you sign one of these mega deals, I think he understands it doesn't mean that you've arrived as a player," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "And a lot of what we've done in signing 'Sizzle' to this, is we're anticipating the player he's going to be over the course of the next six years."
Making him the highest-paid linebacker in the league was probably the only way the Ravens could have locked up Suggs before Wednesday, the NFL deadline for teams to sign their franchise players to a new deal.
Suggs, 26, would have been among the top five free agents next offseason and would likely have received similar offers from other teams.
An emerging playmaker, Suggs went to his third Pro Bowl after leading the Ravens with eight sacks and returning two interceptions for touchdowns. He has recorded 53 career sacks, which is second most in team history and ranks eighth in the NFL since 2003.
Suggs is also durable, never missing a game in his six-year career. In his 101st straight game (the longest current streak on the team), he sacked the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger twice in the AFC championship game despite playing with a shoulder injury.
That's why the Ravens were willing to give him a $10.1 million signing bonus and a $23 million option bonus due in March. He is scheduled to make $40 million over the first two years of the deal.
"I'm just looking forward to showing them that they didn't make a mistake and that you've got the right guy," Suggs said. "I'm only 26 years of age, and my best years are ahead of me. I can only get smarter as my years of experience pile up."
The Ravens and Suggs have been negotiating a long-term deal since February 2008, the first time the team used the franchise tag on Suggs. The team put the tag on Suggs again this year.
