Ravens Free Agent Rumors: Justin Madubuike Signs With AFC North Rival

While the Baltimore Ravens are preparing to lose a few starters to free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in good shape. They should return most starters from last season and are in better salary cap shape than the Ravens.

While the Baltimore Ravens are preparing to lose a few starters to free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in good shape. They should return most starters from last season and are in better salary cap shape than the Ravens.

Baltimore's biggest free agent - defensive tackle Justin Madubuike - is looking for a big payday, and it might be out of the Ravens' price range. If so, is there a chance the former Texas A&M Aggie will move to a Baltimore rival in the AFC North?

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) / USA Today

AtoZ Sports thinks that's a possibility, and that Madubuike would be a good option to replace Cameron Heyward, who could be a salary cap casualty.

“With some salary cap gymnastics and a new deal for Heyward that stretches his 2024 salary out or converts it to a signing bonus, the team would be able to manipulate the cap and bring Madubuike in as the next great interior defensive lineman in Pittsburgh,”  wrote AtoZ.

Last season, Madubuike registered a career-high 13 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits while forcing one fumble and totaling 56 tackles. He also was named second-team All-Pro.

Not only were those career highs for Madubuike, but his sack total more than tripled his combined total from the previous three seasons.

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How can Pittsburgh afford Madubuike? If they release Heyward they could save $16 million against the 2024 cap, which might be enough to sign Madubuike.

All of this to say that if the Steelers part ways with Heyward, it might be one of the dumbest things they've done as an organization in a while. He just won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and is a staple in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.